Broome County, NY Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Broome County sits within the Upper Susquehanna River Basin; land disturbance triggers both state and local erosion-control requirements. NYS DEC SPDES General Permit GP-0-20-001 (Construction Stormwater) requires a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for any disturbance of 1 acre or more, or smaller sites within designated watersheds. Many Broome County towns (Vestal, Union, Binghamton) lower the local threshold to 5,000 sq ft of disturbance. Best management practices must follow the NY Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (Blue Book, 2016) and NY Stormwater Management Design Manual. Required BMPs include silt fence along downslope perimeters, stabilized construction entrance, inlet protection on storm drains, and permanent stabilization within 7-14 days of final grading. Work near streams, wetlands, or the Susquehanna or Chenango Rivers may require an additional DEC Article 15 (Protection of Waters) permit. Enforcement by NYS DEC Region 7 and local code enforcement; federal enforcement by EPA Region 2 for CWA violations.