WPCNR BORDER-TO-BORDER. Special to WPCNR. January 30, 2006:  The City of White Plains has been invited by the Town of Harrison to apply jointly for a grant from the New York State Quality Communities Program Environmental Protection Fund to restore and preserve Silver Lake, to avoid a repeat of the sewage emmission that resulted in the closing of the Lake for six weeks last summer.

Silver Lake, September 5, 2006: Raw Sewage escaping into Silver Lake from the Harrison sewers from a July 19 rain created an algae bloom that lasted for six weeks in Silver Lake. Now Harrison and White Plains are teaming for a grant to preserve the lake in the future. Photo, WPCNR News Archive.

The two municipalities will hire a consulting engineering firm for the purpose of restoring and preserving Silver Lake. This will include an interpretive nature walk and a boat launch on the Harrison side, and functional improvements to the existing boat pier on the WP side.

There are plans to  examine the water quality regularly and conduct mechanical weed harvesting from the lake's bottom to remove "invasive species." Sediment removal is also planned.

Storm Water Management

 The engineering firm will examine  management of storm water that comes into the lake (the primary source of which is from Harrison). This initial phase has an estimated total cost of $201,643.00, of which $161,314.00 will come from the State, and the City and Harrison will split the remaining $40,328.00.

Commissioner of Public Works for the City of White Plains, Joseph Nicoletti, is requesting the White Plains Common Council to authorize application for the grant. The Harrison Town Board passed a similar resolution December 15.  

Once the grant is in hand, Commissioner Nicoletti reports the city will meet with Harrison and the consultant and work out the details.