MakingWaves - September 15, 2017

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 09/15/2017 03:52 PM EDT
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
DEC Delivers - Information to keep you connected and informed from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
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MakingWaves

The Division of Water has posted new announcements on its webpage.

This Week's Updates:

  • Mohawk River Basin Program Grants Awarded
  • Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications
  • National Estuaries Week
  • Septic Smart Week

DEC Awards More Than $200,000 for Mohawk River Watershed MapMohawk River Basin Program Grants

The grants, funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, will help to improve water quality, promote resiliency, and create recreational opportunities for watershed communities, all goals outlined in the Mohawk River Basin Action Agenda. For more information, view DEC’s September 11 press release.

Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications

New waterbodies with harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been added today, September 15, to DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms Notifications webpage.

This week, 16 waterbodies were added to the notification list. There are currently 55 waterbodies with blooms on the list.

Avoid and Report Suspected Blooms

Because waterbodies may have HABs 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 HAB, or you, your family, or pet has been in contact with a HAB, please follow the instructions for reporting a bloom to DEC. If you see it, avoid it and report it!

National Estuaries Week is Tivoli BaysSeptember 16-23

National Estuaries Week celebrates the many ways we benefit from healthy, thriving coastal ecosystems. For more information about New York State’s five major unique estuary systems, visit DEC’s Estuary Management Programs webpage.  

September 16 is also International Coastal Cleanup Day. Follow the links in this announcement to find local events for each of these campaigns.

SepticSmart Week is September 18-22

U.S. EPA’s SepticSmart Week is an opportunity to Septic Smart Week Logoeducate homeowners, businesses and communities about proper care and maintenance of their septic systems. DEC’s "A Guide to Help Managers of Small Businesses Keep their Wastewater Systems Working Properly (PDF, 520 KB)" brochure has information about the operation and maintenance of small business wastewater treatment systems. The NYS Department of Health’s Septic System Operation and Maintenance webpage has information about home septic systems.