Environmental News for You

DEC to EPA: Job is Not Done on Hudson River Dredging

On August 30, 2017, DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos called on the EPA to withhold a Certificate of Completion from General Electric (GE) for their cleanup of toxic Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dumped by the company over the course of several decades. The cleanup includes a 40-mile stretch of the Hudson River, from Fort Edward to Troy.

To learn more about this issue, visit our website.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Cyanobacteria, previously known as blue-green algae, are naturally occurring microscopic organisms that are similar in appearance to algae. The blooms, which may look like discolorations in the water, are typically a blue-green color, but may also be red, yellow, or brown.

Most algae are harmless and are an important part of the food web in aquatic ecosystems. Certain types of algae grow quickly and form large blooms, which can cover all or portions of a lake. While many of these blooms are inoffensive in nature, some species of algae can produce toxins that can be harmful to people and animals. Blooms of algal species that can produce toxins are referred to as harmful algal blooms (HABs).

HABs are difficult to distinguish from non-harmful algal blooms, so it is best to avoid swimming, boating, otherwise recreating in, or drinking water with a bloom. Please visit the DEC HABs Notification Page to learn which waterbodies in New York state have which waterbodies currently have HABs.

For more information on HABs, please visit DEC’s website.

Eating Fish in NYS Waters

New York State has some of the finest fishing in the country. There are year-round opportunities for a wide variety of coldwater, warmwater, and saltwater fish species. With more than 7,500 lakes and ponds and 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, and hundreds of miles of coastlines, it is important to know what fish is safe to eat and where to find them. The New York State Department of Health lists waterbodies with specific advisories by region. 

Environmental Notice Bulletin

Did you know that DEC publishes environmental notices, including permit applications and hearing notices? The Environmental Notice Bulletin (ENB), produced since 1976 as required by the Environmental Conservation Law Article 3-0306(4). The ENB includes statewide and regional notices of complete applications under the Uniform Procedures Act (6 NYCRR Part 621) and several other state and regional agencies; notices required under the NYS Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) regulations (6 NYCRR Part 617) submitted by DEC as well as other state and local agencies; notices of DEC hearings; and some other specialized notices required by specific laws.

The ENB is published weekly on Wednesdays.

If you have any Environmental Justice related issues, questions, or concerns, please send your email to justice@dec.ny.gov or call 518.402.9498.