Making Waves - News from the Division of Water

This week's updates:

• Water Well Contractor Program Registration
• New Trees for Tribs Initiative
• Draft Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan

Water Well Contractor Program Registration

The DEC Water Well Contractor Program is currently accepting applications for the Certificate of Registration for the period of April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2020. Registration is required each year for all water well contractors who drill or repair water wells in New York State. The on-site contractor must be certified for the work that they are conducting (well drilling and/or pump installation). A Preliminary Notice must be filed prior to drilling a well and a Water Well Completion Report must be filed upon completion of water well drilling. For additional information, contact Water Well Program staff at 877-472-2619 or NYSWaterWells@dec.ny.gov.

 New Trees for Tribs Initiative

DEC has launched a new Trees for Tribs program initiative, Buffer in a Bag, to help increase riparian buffers throughout New York State. Qualifying public and private landowners may apply for a free bag of 25 or 50 tree and shrub seedlings. Applications are due by 3 p.m. on April 3, 2019.

Draft Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Plan

DEC has announced the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve Draft Management Plan is available for public review and comment. This is an update to the 2009 plan and will guide the management of the Reserve for the next five years. DEC will accept public comments through March 15, 2019. For more information, including how to comment, view DEC's February 5 press release.