In this issue:
DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar and State Department of Health (DOH) Commissioner Dr. James McDonald are reminding New Yorkers to learn about and be aware of harmful algal blooms, or "HABs", as the 2024 HABs notification season starts. DEC's New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) is now active and allows the public and trained citizens to send reports of HABs to DEC electronically via a simple, user- and mobile phone-friendly form.
Reports are evaluated by DEC and DOH and once confirmed, are posted to the NYHABS page. The system features an interactive map of current and archived bloom locations to help keep New Yorkers informed.
When it comes to HABs, DEC encourages New Yorkers to:
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Know It – HABs vary in appearance from scattered green dots in the water, to long, linear green streaks, pea soup, or spilled green paint, to blue-green or white coloration.
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Avoid It – People, pets, and livestock should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has algal scums on the surface.
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Report It –The public should report a suspected HAB through the NYHABs online reporting form available on DEC’s website. Report health concerns related to HABs to DOH at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov, or contact your local health department.
For more information about HABs, visit DEC’s Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) webpage.
Tuesday, June 4 at 10:00 a.m.
Join DEC's Division of Water for a webinar about two grant opportunities available now through the state's Consolidated Funding Application. Time will be provided for questions.
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Water Quality Improvement Projects (WQIP): WQIP funds implementation projects to improve water quality or habitat, promote flood risk reduction, restoration, and enhanced flood and climate resiliency, or protect a drinking water source. Eligible project types:
- wastewater treatment improvement;
- non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement and control;
- vacuum trucks in municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) areas;
- land acquisition for source water protection;
- salt storage and road salt reduction;
- dam safety repair/rehabilitation and dam removal;
- aquatic connectivity restoration;
- marine habitat restoration; and
- fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement.
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Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG): NPG funds production of planning reports for nonpoint source water quality improvement projects and mapping of municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4).
Thursday, June 6 at 1:00 p.m.
Learn more about the WQIP project type, "Land Acquisition Projects for Source Water Protection Funding" (PDF), which focuses on acquiring and protecting lands that are critical to safeguard a source of drinking water. Learn how municipalities and not-for-profits can use WQIP grants to further their drinking water source protection goals.
May 31 is National Dam Safety Awareness Day. On this day, we remember the lessons learned from past dam failures and rededicate ourselves to the effective public-private partnerships that work to keep America's dams safe, operational, and resilient.
The issue of dam safety was recognized nationally in 1889 when the failure of the South Fork Dam near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, claimed more than 2,200 lives. DEC encourages you to understand the importance of properly operating and maintaining dams in preventing loss of life and economic and environmental damage. Commemorate Dam Safety Awareness Day by learning more about New York's dam safety program and DEC's role in dam oversight.
Funding for Dam Repair, Removal or Engineering Design Report
The Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program includes "Dam Safety Repair/Rehabilitation and Removal". Funding is available from the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act. Municipalities can apply for up to $2.5 million to repair or remove a dam with a downstream hazard classification of Class C (High) and Class B (Intermediate) to reduce flood risk and promote climate change resilience. Find more information on DEC's WQIP webpage. Municipalities can also apply for funding from the Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant (NPG) to complete an engineering design report for a Class C or Class B hazard dam.
The NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation's (EFC) Community Assistance Teams are hosting a virtual Question and Answer session on Friday, May 31, 11 a.m. to noon. Small, rural and disadvantaged communities will be able to connect with program experts who can help them address community water infrastructure needs.
EFC will be joined by DEC and the Departments of State, Health, and Homes and Community Renewal. Staff members from each agency will be available to answer program questions from participants.
Round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council Consolidated Funding Application opened on May 13, and in-person funding workshops are being held around the state to provide information to potential applicants about the grant programs available in this year's round. The Division of Water will be participating in these workshops to answer questions about the Water Quality Improvement Project program and the Non-agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4 Mapping Grant.
Go to the Regional Economic Development Council's website to find information about a workshop near you.
DEC has released for public review and comment draft eligibility and accounting guidelines to help fulfill the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act required investments in communities most burdened by the impacts of environmental pollution and climate change. The draft guidelines will help ensure compliance by all New York State agencies, authorities, and entities administering Bond Act funds with achieving the goal that 40 percent of Bond Act funds benefit disadvantaged communities (DAC) provided that these communities receive at least 35 percent of the benefits of the overall $4.2 billion Bond Act spending statewide.
Find the eligibility guidelines and where to send comments in the May 22nd Environmental Notice Bulletin. Public comments will be accepted until Friday, June 21, 2024, at 5 p.m.
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