This Week's Updates:

• St. Lawrence River No Discharge Zone
• Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications

DEC Proposes St. Lawrence River No Discharge Zone

DEC has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate the New York portion of the St. Lawrence River as a “Vessel Waste No Discharge Zone.” It is illegal for boaters to discharge on-board sewage into any waterbody designated as a No Discharge Zone.

The St. Lawrence River petition is part of DEC’s continuing effort to establish No Discharge Zones for all waterbodies and waterways in New York. DEC collaborated with the NYS Department of State and the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation to prepare this petition.

What happens next?

Upon agreement by EPA, a public comment period will be announced in the Federal Register.

More information about No Discharge Zones in New York

Visit DEC's No Discharge Zones in New York State webpage for an overview of No Discharge Zones in New York, including a list of waterbodies currently designated as No Discharge Zones.

Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications

New waterbodies with harmful algal blooms have been added today, June 16, to DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms Notifications webpage.

This week, 7 waterbodies were added to the notification list. There are currently 19 waterbodies with blooms on the list.

Avoid and Report Suspected Blooms

Because waterbodies may have harmful algal blooms that have not been reported to DEC, we recommend avoiding contact with floating mats, scum and discolored water.

If you suspect you have seen a harmful algal bloom, or you, your family, or pet has been in contact with a harmful algal bloom, please follow the instructions for reporting a bloom to DEC. If you see it, avoid it and report it!