This Week's Updates:

• HABs Notifications
• Pharmaceutical Stewardship Report
• Consolidated Funding Application Grant Workshops

Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications

New waterbodies with harmful algal blooms have been added today, June 8, to DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms Notifications webpage.

This week, 10 waterbodies were added to the notification list. There are currently 19 waterbodies with blooms on the list.

Know it. Avoid it. Report it.

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 have been in contact with harmful algal blooms, please follow the instructions for reporting blooms to DEC.

DEC Releases Report on Pharmaceutical Stewardship

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced the release of the agency's report on pharmaceutical stewardship developed in consultation with the New York State Department of Health. Flushed medications have been found in New York lakes, rivers and streams and can negatively affect the waterways. There is also a significant health risk associated with the abuse of prescription drugs that remain in the home.The report identifies the need for an accessible, no-cost statewide program for consumers to safely dispose of waste pharmaceuticals. The report is available on DEC’s Drugs in New York’s Waters webpage.

Consolidated Funding Application Grant Workshops

Multiple workshops on the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program, Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) and other funding programs offered through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) are being held around the state. The next workshops are scheduled for June 11 in Binghamton and June 13 in Johnstown.

Applications for WQIP and EPG are accepted through the CFA until 4 p.m. on July 27, 2018.