Queens Senator Rallies Against City's Planted Stormwater Filters

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — A Queens senator joined community leaders from across Queens on Aug. 14 to rally against Mayor de Blasio’s decision to install bioswales.

State Sen. Tony Avella rallied less than a week after the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) informed the senator that the DEP would not be providing homeowners an opt-out option for bioswales, according to a recent release.

Bioswales are planted areas that collect stormwater that runs off the sidewalk and along the curb when it rains, also removing silt and pollution from the runoff water. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

A bioswale looks similar to a street tree pit or a small garden, but there are some key differences, according to the city’s Environmental Protection Department. These differences include curb inlets, outlets, stone strips, plants and grasses, soil and tree guards.

Avella said in the release that homeowners are being ignored by the mayor.

“There are a lot of people in Queens that would be greatly harmed by the presence of a bioswale in front of their home and many who do not wish to add maintenance of a bioswale to their daily routine,” Avella said in the release.

“So, here we are again, disappointed by the city’s decision.”

The senator was joined by leaders and members of Friends of Fort Totten, Holliswood Civic Association, Bowne Park Civic Association, West Cunningham Park Civic Association, Utopia Estates Civic Association, Kissena Park Civic Association, Bellerose-Hillside Civic Association, Queens Colony Civic Association, Northeast Flushing Civic Association and others, according to the release.

Photo credit: Chris Hamby