The Land Use Law Center at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University was recognized on Apr. 2 as Westchester County municipal leaders signed a new agreement to reestablish the Long Island Sound Watershed Intermunicipal Council (LISWIC). The event, held at Playland Beach in Rye, New York and attended by government officials including Congressman George Latimer, marked the official revival of LISWIC and a renewed commitment to regional collaboration for watershed protection and resilience.
The move is significant because it brings together 14 municipalities to address environmental issues such as flood mitigation and stormwater management. The coalition aims to strengthen regional responses to shared challenges facing the Long Island Sound watershed.
Originally formed in 1999 after participation in the Land Use Law Center’s Land Use Leadership Alliance (LULA) training program, LISWIC became known for its coordinated approach to stormwater management, securing state funding, influencing county legislation, and promoting intermunicipal cooperation. After becoming inactive following the COVID-19 pandemic, recent efforts led by the Land Use Law Center have focused on reengaging local leaders through LULA training programs held in 2020, 2024, and 2025.
“These programs are designed not only to educate, but to catalyze action,” said Tiffany Zezula, Deputy Director of the Land Use Law Center. “The renewed energy behind LISWIC reflects a shared recognition that regional challenges such as flooding, stormwater management, and climate resilience require coordinated, intermunicipal solutions.”
Support for these training programs came from organizations including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Long Island Sound Futures Fund (2020), Westchester County Association with county funding (2024), and New York Sea Grant (2025). During these sessions municipal officials received resilience audits and guidance on land use regulations before developing their own implementation plans.
Following strong support from local elected leaders during recent trainings—and endorsements from various county legislators—the council’s mission was updated through working meetings facilitated by center staff. This process resulted in revised bylaws and formation of a new Executive Committee chaired by the Mayor of Mamaroneck Village.
With its renewed structure in place—including vice chairs from Mamaroneck Town and Rye Brook Village—the council is positioned once again as a model for collaborative approaches addressing climate resilience across municipalities.
