This Week's Updates

• Harmful Algal Bloom Pilot Program
• Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications
• Chesapeake Bay Training
• Clean Water Infrastructure Project Funding Application Reminder

Innovative Pilot Program Launched to Collect HABs Information

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the launch of an innovative pilot program on Skaneateles, Owasco, and Seneca lakes as part of New York State’s $65 million, four-point initiative to aggressively combat harmful algal blooms (HABs) in vulnerable lakes and water bodies in Upstate New York. This long-term project is pairing state and federal researchers with cutting-edge advances in data collection and monitoring to identify contributing factors fueling HABs. Advanced monitoring is essential to understanding bloom formation and targeting effective mitigation strategies to combat HABs.

Researchers deployed two “advanced-monitoring stations” at different locations in the northern reaches of Skaneateles Lake. These locations, one near-shore and one off-shore, provide water-quality information that can contribute to the understanding of HABs development, duration, and effects on water quality. Data from the stations are free to download and use by visiting the “Water Quality Data Viewer”. Additional monitoring stations are scheduled to be deployed in Owasco and Seneca lakes in mid-September.

Harmful Algal Bloom Notifications

New waterbodies with harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been added today, August 31, to DEC’s HABs Notifications webpage.

This week, 20 waterbodies were added to the notification list. There are currently 71 waterbodies with blooms on the list.

Know it. Avoid it. Report it.

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.

Reminder: Grant Funding Available for Clean Water Infrastructure Projects

Applications for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act (WIIA) and the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure Grants Program (IMG) are due September 7, 2018. Visit the Environmental Facility Corporation’s website for more information, including how to submit applications.

Chesapeake Assessment Scenario Tool (CAST) Training Workshop

DEC, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program, is hosting a training workshop on the Chesapeake Bay Assessment Scenario Tool (CAST). CAST will be used to develop New York’s Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan for the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The training will be held September 5 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the DEC Central Office, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY in the 6th floor training room. This training is open to all local and state agency partners. Please register by contacting Lauren Townley at 518-402-8283 or lauren.townley@dec.ny.gov by September 4. Before attending, please register for a CAST account on the Chesapeake Bay Program's CAST webpage.