MakingWaves - HABs 2020 Season Summary; Grant Opportunities; Protect Watersheds Contest; Memorial Scholarship; Class I and Class SD Waters

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

  • Summary of 2020 Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notification Season
  • Reminder: Applications Being Accepted for DEC/EFC Engineering Planning Grant and EFC Green Innovation Grant Program
  • Protect Our Watersheds Calendar Contest--Deadline Approaching
  • N.G. Kaul Memorial Scholarship Application Period Open
  • Comment Period Open for Proposed Rule Making

Summary of 2020 Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notification Season

HABs Front

DEC has posted a summary of the 2020 Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) notices to the HABs Archive webpage. During 2020, 184 waterbodies statewide were listed on the NY HABs System (NYHABS). Nearly 2,000 HAB reports were collected by DEC and its partners, and of these, over 900 met DEC criteria for a HAB. The reports ranged from a single observation to widespread blooms that were persistent throughout the season. 

The DEC Citizen Statewide Lake Assessment Program and the Lake Classification and Inventory Program contributed extensively to HABs reporting. In addition, as in previous years, the Department of Health, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, SUNY ESF, Stony Brook University, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and other agencies and organizations were instrumental in documenting HABs in New York in 2020.

Historical data is available on Open NY (Search the catalog for "Harmful Algal Blooms").  Also, the 2012-2019 HABs Archive Summary includes HAB reports since DEC began the HABs Program.

Blooms May Occur Any Time of Year

HABs may occur on waterbodies throughout the year, although fewer blooms occur in the winter. DEC recommends avoiding contact with floating mats, scums and discolored water at any time – Know it, Avoid it, Report it!

If you suspect you have seen a bloom, or you, your family, or pet has been in contact with a bloom, please follow the instructions for reporting a bloom to DEC.


Reminder: Applications Being Accepted for DEC/EFC Engineering Planning Grant and EFC Green Innovation Grant Program

Applications are being accepted through the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) for the Engineering Planning Grant (EPG) and the Green Innovation Grant Program (GIGP) until 4 p.m. on February 12

The EPG funds production of an engineering report for eligible Clean Water State Revolving Fund water quality projects. For full program details and requirements, view the EPG Round 10 Program Overview (PDF) on DEC's website. 

The GIGP provides grants for projects that improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change through the implementation of green infrastructure, energy efficiency and/or water efficiency practices. For full program requirements, view EFC's GIGP webpage.

Information about both of these grant programs was presented in a webinar on January 13. You can view a recording of the webinar on the Environmental Facilities Corporation's website


Protect Our Watersheds Calendar Contest--Deadline Approaching

DEC and the New York State Water Environment Association (NYWEA) are sponsoring a "Protect Our Watersheds" calendar contest open to all middle school students. Fourteen winners will have the honor of having their artwork in a 2022 calendar distributed across New York State. The deadline for submitting posters is February 5, 2021. More information is available on DEC's Protect Our Watersheds Calendar Contest webpage.


N.G. Kaul Memorial Scholarship Application Period Open

Applications are being accepted for the N.G. Kaul Memorial Scholarship. In honor of the former Director of DEC's Division of Water, up to $5,000 in scholarships is available to students pursuing graduate or doctoral degrees in environmental/civil engineering or environmental science concentrating on water quality who show a commitment to government service.

Scholarship applications are available on the NY Water Environment Association Scholarship webpage. Applications are due by  February 26 at 5 p.m.


Comment Period Open for Proposed Rule Making

DEC has announced a Proposed Rule Making to amend 6 NYCRR § 703.4, titled "Application of Site-Specific Criteria to Class I & Class SD Waters." The amendment adds site-specific criteria to select Class I and Class SD waterbodies. 

Public comments are due by March 29, 2021. View the January 20th Environmental Notice Bulletin for instructions on how to comment and join the hearing webinar to be held March 23, 2021