Syracuse Urbanized Area MS4 System Mapping

The Central New York Regional Planning & Development Board (CNY RPDB) seeks to retain a consultant firm, or team of firms, to develop a complete online geospatial inventory of, as well as an online management platform for, the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) within the Syracuse Urbanized Area using Esri ArcGIS. The contract is for 18 months.

The purpose of the project is to:

1. Review existing data, including coordinating with municipal officials, to complete a gap analysis.
2. Convert the existing online geodatabase to an online asset management and tracking system.
3. Conduct the fieldwork necessary to have a complete digital inventory of MS4 infrastructure.
4. Compile a comprehensive, online map of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) for municipalities in the Central New York (CNY) Stormwater Coalition in accordance with conditions of the NYS GP-0-24-001.
5. Document the processes used to complete this project and develop training materials to ensure that data collection and system maintenance can continue after the life of this project (i.e., develop a user’s manual).

The MS4s in the Syracuse Urbanized Area have engaged in storm system mapping at different levels and in differing formats, ranging from ArcGIS to Google Earth files to paper maps. The mapping protocols used vary at the same scale. In 2015, the CNY RPDB, working with the CNY Stormwater Coalition, received a Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) grant to begin the process of coordinated mapping for many, but not all, of the MS4 operators in the Syracuse Urbanized Area. At that time outfalls, catch basins and some flow lines were mapped and are available through an online, interactive ArcGIS Online map that can be found at this link: https://bit.ly/3MzT4Z3 .

This project will build on that data and platform to synthesize all existing documentation on stormwater systems from each participating MS4 operator into an ArcGIS geodatabase. Following this synthesis, a gap analysis will determine the remaining information, including unique points and additional attributes, that are needed to comply with the requirements of the NYS General MS4 permit (NYS GP-0-24-001). The remaining data will be collected through fieldwork in partnership with each MS4 operator. The project supports the synthesis and collection of data on a regional basis to provide the greatest benefit to the most MS4s while advancing DEC’s concept of a comprehensive system map containing all required and additional map elements.