Environmental News from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island (Region 2)
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 07/28/2021 05:40 PM EDT |
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Environmental News from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island (Region 2) |
In This Issue:
Air Quality AdvisoriesDEC and DOH issue Air Quality Health Advisories when DEC meteorologists predict levels of pollution, either ozone or fine particulate matter are expected to exceed an Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 100. The AQI was created as an easy way to correlate levels of different pollutants to one scale, with a higher AQI value indicating a greater health concern. Ozone Summer heat can lead to the formation of ground-level ozone, a major component of photochemical smog. Automobile exhaust and out-of-state emission sources are the primary sources of ground-level ozone and are the most serious air pollution problems in the northeast. This surface pollutant should not be confused with the protective layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere. People, especially young children, those who exercise outdoors, those involved in vigorous outdoor work and those who have respiratory disease (such as asthma) should consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity when ozone levels are the highest (generally afternoon to early evening). When outdoor levels of ozone are elevated, going indoors will usually reduce your exposure. Individuals experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain or coughing should consider consulting their doctor. Ozone levels generally decrease at night and can be minimized during daylight hours by curtailment of automobile travel and the use of public transportation where available. Stay Informed DEC has established a toll-free Air Quality Hotline (1-800-535-1345) to keep New Yorkers informed of the latest Air Quality situation. You can find additional information on ozone and PM 2.5 on DEC's website and on DOH's website. If you would like to receive emails when DEC issues an air advisory, sign up for the DEC Delivers Air Quality Alerts newsletter now. ECO HighlightsDEC Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators enforce the 71 Chapters of NY Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. In 2020, the 298 ECOs and Investigators across the state responded to 29,673 calls and worked on cases that resulted in 11,952 tickets or arrests for crimes ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black market pet trade, and excessive emissions violations. If you witness an environmental crime or believe a violation of environmental law occurred, please call the DEC Division of Law Enforcement hotline at 1-844-DEC-ECOS (1-844-332-3267). Below are examples of the work ECO's perform in your region. Honorary Vessel Captain of A4 - Marine District, NYC ECOs set a course south along the East River and into New York Harbor to get a close look at the Statue of Liberty. Rosie learned some nautical phrases and was tasked with letting the crew know when the boat was ready to go fast, which she loved. Upon arrival to Lady Liberty, the group was met by two vessels from the New York City Fire Department’s Marine Division for a water display using their water cannons. Meanwhile, up above, the New York Police Department’s Aviation Unit conducted a low fly-by, to provide Rosie with a view of the helicopter up close and in action. When the displays were finished, Rosie got to meet members of the U.S. Coast Guard aboard one of their vessels. ECOs were thrilled to be able to participate in this memorable day for Rosie and her family. Pictured: ECO Milliron, Honorary Captain Rosie, ECO Pansini, and Trooper Soares on A4. New York County - Illegal Pesticides On the day of the sting, undercover surveillance teams watched as vendors collected illegal pesticides from the shed and basement and transported them to nearby locations for sales. Once vendors set up tables and an intent to sell was established, the surveillance teams made their approach. Simultaneously, under authority of a search warrant, the illegal structure and adjacent basement were secured and searched, and a large quantity of illegal pesticides were found. These illegal and potentially dangerous pesticides were being offered for sale to the public for use against cockroaches, fleas, bed bugs, and rodents. These products are not registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the sale or possession with the intent to sell these pesticides, is unlawful in the United States. The investigation is ongoing. For additional information about pesticide use in New York State, visit DEC's website. Pictured: Bottle of seized unregistered pesticide Queens County - Operation Low Tide Pictured: ECO Veloski, USPP Officer Valega, and ECO Currey with seized diamondback terrapins and blue crabs Marine Waters, New York County - Jet Ski Invasion ECOs worked as a team with the U.S. Coast Guard, New York City Police Department, New York Fire Department, U.S. Park Police, and New Jersey State Police to provide safety zones for other vessel traffic and aid stranded operators or disabled jet skis.
Brownfield Cleanup ProgramNew York's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) is designed to encourage private-sector cleanups of brownfields and to promote their redevelopment as a means to revitalize economically blighted communities. The BCP is an alternative to "greenfield" (land not previously developed or contaminated) development and is intended to remove some of the barriers to, and provide tax incentives for, the redevelopment of brownfields. Since its inception (2003), the BCP has catalyzed the cleanup of more than 300 contaminated sites statewide and incentivized redevelopment. There are more than 350 active sites in the BCP. Below are a few examples in Region 2. Visit our website for a complete list. Bronx: DEC invites the public to comment on a proposal to address contamination at a brownfield site on East 180th St. & Boston Rd., Bronx (site ID#C203136) Nota: Una versión en español de esta hoja informativa también se adjunta. Public comment period deadline: August 28, 2021 Brooklyn: Contamination cleanup will begin at the following brownfield sites within New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program: 33 Franklin St., Brooklyn (site ID#C224303) 45 Commercial Street (site ID #C224304) Surf Avenue Railroad Cleaners, site ID #C224310 3200 Atlantic Avenue Site #C224289 1607 Surf Avenue, site ID #C224313 Manhattan: DEC Invites the public to comment on a proposal to address contamination at a brownfield site at 250 Water St., Manhattan (site ID #C231127) Nota: Una versión en español de esta hoja informativa también se adjunta. 注：该情况说明书也可在中国。 Public comment deadline: August 11, 2021 For more information in English (PDF) Contamination cleanup will begin at a brownfield site on East 112th St., Manhattan (Sendero Verde Redevelopment Project - Parcel A, site ID #C231135) Nota: Una versión en español de esta hoja informativa también se adjunta.
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On June 8, ECOs Pansini and Milliron conducted a ride-along aboard DEC Marine Enforcement Unit (MEU) Vessel A4 with a very special guest. Six-year-old Rosie Ramirez, the daughter of a Florida Highway Patrol Sergeant, was the honorary vessel captain for the day. Rosie is currently battling a rare childhood cancer and travels regularly from Florida to New York City with her mother for treatment. A big fan of boats, Rosie wished for a tour of the Big Apple’s waterways, and ECOs were happy to oblige. Accompanying Rosie was her mother Nikki Ramirez, as well as New York State Troopers Soares, Ruiz, and Reyes.
On June 2, DEC investigators and investigators from the Office of the Attorney General executed a search warrant and a covert street sweep in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan to confiscate dangerous pesticides being sold to the public. The enforcement effort, which successfully removed more than 7,700 individually packaged unregistered pesticides, was the culmination of a year-long joint undercover investigation that included surveillance, undercover controlled purchases, and laboratory analysis of the product. The investigation ultimately led investigators to a storage shed and the basement of an abandoned apartment complex where street vendors were stashing illegal products.
On June 10, after receiving multiple complaints of people keeping undersized marine species, shellfish from uncertified waters, and protected terrapins (commonly called turtles) during low tide, ECOs Veloski and Currey participated in Operation Low Tide, an enforcement initiative to combat the illegal taking of wildlife and shellfish in New York City. ECOs partnered with U.S. Park Police in and around Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. While patrolling the area, the Officers observed two individuals leaving the area with headlights, nets, and large totes. The Officers interviewed the subjects and discovered that two of the totes contained diamondback terrapins while the other totes contained blue crabs. In total, the subjects had captured 22 diamondback terrapins, which are a federal- and state-protected species, and 41 undersized blue crabs. The anglers were also in possession of more than the allowable limit of 50 blue crabs. Officers issued multiple summonses to the subjects for possession of protected wildlife, possession of undersized blue crabs, and possession of over limit blue crabs. All 22 terrapins and the many illegal blue crabs were safely returned to Jamaica Bay.
On June 26, DEC Marine Enforcement Unit ECOs Pansini, Currey, and Veloski provided maritime support for the annual New York City Jet Ski Invasion. Approximately 400 jet skis traveled from Long Island City in the East River, down around the tip of Manhattan, and up the Hudson River toward the George Washington Bridge.
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