Stopthemud Fact Sheet
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Ashokan Reservoir: Stop the Mud Fact Sheet
Ashokan Reservoir: Stop the mud Fact Sheet NYC is dumping billions of gallons of muddy water into the Lower Esopus The New York City Department of Environmental Protection is at it again, dumping millions of gallons each day of turbid water from the Ashokan Reservoir into the Lower Esopus Creek. High volume, turbid releases, such as those following the 2020 Christmas storm, have left the Lower Esopus Creek a muddy mess. These releases have such a negative impact that the Lower Esopus Creek has been placed on the New York State List of Impaired Waters for excessive silt and sediment. Why is this happening? The Esopus Creek is dammed to create the Ashokan Reservoir, one of the most important parts of New York City’s unfiltered drinking water supply, which serves over 9.5 million people in New York City and the Hudson Valley. Erosion from severe storms – which will become more common as the climate changes – causes excessive turbidity in the reservoir. One of the ways New York City manages this challenge is to dump high volumes of muddy water from the reservoir into the Lower Esopus Creek, which flows 32 miles to the Hudson River. These releases are the least expensive way for the DEP to preserve the quality of NYC drinking water. However, this “solution” only shifts the costs and consequences onto the farmers, businesses and residents along the Lower Esopus from these releases. What is the impact? The turbid water severely affects water quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, and quality of life throughout seven Ulster County communities along the Lower Esopus. -
North Castle History Volume 10
State Road over Bear Gutter Creek looking South from Pfister's Store, Kensico, around 1900. Vo1. 10 The North Castlc Historical Society 1983 * Kensico-The Lost Village Kensico-A Special Place *L^ r,__:1_1:-_ .1.,_.. .... - * -. - . ... .. - . .- . The xrth cast(e sstoalsociety Bedford Road, Armonk, New York 10504 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Dear Members and Friends, As I write this message, the Socieiy's Youth Committee has just completed a very successfull ''Crafts Fair" on the Smith's Tavern grounds for the fourth graders of the Byram Hills School District. I make this judgment, based on witnessing the enthusiasm of the children as they went from exhibit to exhibit - listening, participating, even sampling. Histor) was being presented in a "conze alive" way that would have been difficult to duplicate in the classroom. The restoration work on the early kitchen and the small "red" bedroom is almost completed. Soon you will be able to see the results of the effortsof the House Committee and the Restoration Committee. Some of the history of Smith's Tavern will come alive before your eyes. The current exhibition at the Tavern is based on early colonial crafts. A unique feature will be the demonstrations to be given by various people skill- ed in each of the crafts featui-ed. Come, learn how it is done - maybe even pick up a new hobby. As you probably know from reading the papers, your Society is currently exploring the possibility of adding two historic buildings to the present Tavern site. It is too soon to say more than that we are optimistically hopeful. -
2014 Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys of New York City Water Supply Reservoirs Within the Catskill/Delaware and Croton Watersheds
2014 aquatic invasive species surveys of New York City water supply reservoirs within the Catskill/Delaware and Croton Watersheds Megan Wilckens1, Holly Waterfield2 and Willard N. Harman3 INTRODUCTION The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) oversees the management and protection of the New York City water supply reservoirs, which are split between two major watershed systems, referred to as East of Hudson Watersheds (Figure 1) and Catskill/Delaware Watershed (Figure 2). The DEP is concerned about the presence of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in reservoirs because they can threaten water quality and water supply operations (intake pipes and filtration systems), degrade the aquatic ecosystem found there as well as reduce recreational opportunities for the community. Across the United States, AIS cause around $120 billion per year in environmental damages and other losses (Pimentel et al. 2005). The SUNY Oneonta Biological Field Station was contracted by DEP to conduct AIS surveys on five reservoirs; the Ashokan, Rondout, West Branch, New Croton and Kensico reservoirs. Three of these reservoirs, as well as major tributary streams to all five reservoirs, were surveyed for AIS in 2014. This report details the survey results for the Ashokan, Rondout, and West Branch reservoirs, and Esopus Creek, Rondout Creek, West Branch Croton River, East Branch Croton River and Bear Gutter Creek. The intent of each survey was to determine the presence or absence of the twenty- three AIS on the NYC DEP’s AIS priority list (Table 1). This list was created by a subcommittee of the Invasive Species Working Group based on a water supply risk assessment. -
HUDSON RIVER RISING Riverkeeper Leads a Growing Movement to Protect the Hudson
Confronting climate | Restoring nature | Building resilience annual journal HUDSON RIVER RISING Riverkeeper leads a growing movement to protect the Hudson. Its power is unstoppable. RIVERKEEPER JOURNAL 01 Time and again, the public rises to speak for a voiceless Hudson. While challenges mount, our voices grow stronger. 02 RIVERKEEPER JOURNAL PRESIDENT'S LETTER Faith and action It’s all too easy to feel hopeless these days, lish over forty new tanker and barge anchorages allowing storage of crude when you think about the threat posed by climate oil right on the Hudson, Riverkeeper is working with local partners to stop disruption and the federal government’s all-out another potentially disastrous plan to build enormous storm surge barriers war on basic clean water and habitat protection at the entrance to the Hudson Estuary. Instead, we and our partners are laws. Yet, Riverkeeper believes that a better fighting for real-world, comprehensive and community-driven solutions future remains ours for the taking. to coastal flooding risks. We think it makes perfect sense to feel hope- History was made, here on the Hudson. Groundbreaking legal pro- ful, given New York’s new best-in-the-nation tections were born here, over half a century ago, when earlier waves of climate legislation and its record levels of spend- activists rose to protect the Adirondacks, the Palisades and Storm King ing on clean water (which increased by another Mountain and restore our imperiled fish and wildlife. These founders had $500 million in April). This year, The Empire State also banned river-foul- no playbook and certainly no guarantee of success. -
Draft Scope for the Modification of the Catalum Spdes Permit
DRAFT SCOPE FOR THE MODIFICATION OF THE CATALUM SPDES PERMIT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT Lead Agency: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Applicant: New York City Department of Environmental Protection April 2014 Draft Scope DRAFT SCOPE FOR THE MODIFICATION OF THE CATALUM SPDES PERMIT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................. 3 1.1 PROJECT IDENTIFICATION ................................................................................................ 4 1.2 PROJECT BACKGROUND ................................................................................................... 6 1.3 WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM OPERATION .............................................................................. 7 1.4 REGULATORY BACKGROUND ......................................................................................... 10 1.5 CATALUM SPDES PERMIT ............................................................................................. 13 1.6 THE PROPOSED ACTION ................................................................................................. 14 1.7 PURPOSE AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION .......................................................... 29 1.8 LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL PERMITS AND APPROVALS .............................................. 30 1.9 PRIOR STUDIES .............................................................................................................. 30 2.0 -
New York City's Water Story
New York City’s Water Story: From Mountain Top to Tap SCHOHARIE COUNTY Schoharie Reservoir 1,130 FEET Delaware Watershed Gilboa Catskill Watershed Stamford The water we use today is the same water that fell as C rain when dinosaurs roamed a D t Prattsville Siuslaw s DELAWARE COUNTY West Branch Delaware e k l i the earth. In its endless a l Windham l w a W r cycle, water is the only e a t W e GREENE COUNTY rs Schoharie Creek substance that naturally a h te e r d Grand Gorge sh exists as a solid, e d liquid or gas. Delhi Lenox Roxbury East Branch Delaware Hunter Tannersville Andes Walton HUNTER MOUNTAIN Water’s journey from 4,040 FEET mountain top to tap begins Margaretville Shandaken Tunnel when rain and snow fall on COLUMBIA COUNTY watersheds, the areas Massachusetts of land that catch, absorb, Downsville Phoenicia and carry water downhill to gently and swiftly Deposit Pepacton Woodstock flowing streams. Cannonsville Reservoir Reservoir 1,150 FEET 1,280 FEET Esopus Creek SLIDE MOUNTAIN Boiceville West Delaware Tunnel East Delaware Tunnel 4,180 FEET Streams provide life-cycle Neversink Frost Valley needs for fish and other RIver aquatic organisms. Oxygen is Ashokan Rondout trapped in the fresh water as Creek Reservoir Claryville Olivebridge 590 FEET Kingston it tumbles over rocks into deep pools. Overhanging tree branches keep water r C e A v cool as fresh water T i Grahamsville S K R DUTCHESS COUNTY continues its journey. IL L n Neversink A Neversink Reservoir Tunnel Q o s 1,440 FEET U s E d Liberty Rondout Reservoir d Water is naturally filtered D u u U 840 FEET U C C H H T by the soil and tree roots in T dense forests as it travels toward reservoirs. -
Design Commission Meeting Agenda Monday, November 16, 2020
Design Commission Meeting Agenda Monday, November 16, 2020 Meeting Location Notice: Due to emergency executive orders issued by Mayor de Blasio and Governor Cuomo in relation to COVID-19, this meeting will be held by teleconference. Members of the public can view the meeting live on the Design Commission’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/nycdesigncommission. Members of the public who wish to give testimony on public hearing items can sign-up in advance using this form: https://tinyurl.com/PDCmeetingform and join the meeting via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84038300056 or by calling 1 (646) 558 8656 and using the meeting ID: 840 3830 0056 Full instructions for participating in the hearing can be found on our website here: https://tinyurl.com/PDC-mtg Public Meeting 10:15 a.m. Consent Items 27607: Installation of two louvers and a rooftop vent, Building 127, Third Street, Morris Avenue, Fourth Street, and McDonough Avenue, Brooklyn Navy Yard Industrial Park, Brooklyn. (Preliminary and Final) (CC 33, CB 2) BNYDC 27608: Restoration of windows, Building 22, Warrington Avenue, Fourth Street, and McDonough Avenue, Brooklyn Navy Yard Industrial Park, Brooklyn. (Preliminary and Final) (CC 33, CB 2) BNYDC 27609: Installation of a rooftop canopy with photovoltaic panels, Coney Island Branch Library, 1901 Mermaid Avenue, Brooklyn. (Preliminary and Final) (CC 47, CB 13) BPL 27610: Installation of a rooftop canopy with photovoltaic panels, Kings Highway Branch Library, 2115 Ocean Avenue, Brooklyn. (Preliminary and Final) (CC 48, CB 15) BPL 27611: Installation of a rooftop canopy with photovoltaic panels, Mill Basin Branch Library, 2385 Ralph Avenue, Brooklyn. -
3.8 Public Infrastructure, Sanitation Services, and Utilities 3.8.1 Water
3.8 Public Infrastructure, Sanitation Services, and Utilities 3.8 Public Infrastructure, Sanitation Services, and Utilities 3.8.1 Water Supply 3.8.1.1. Existing Municipal Water System Capacity One hundred percent (100%) of the water delivered by the City of White Plains is purchased from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) through Westchester County Water District No. 1. The raw water purchased from NYCDEP is drawn from the Kensico Reservoir, which is an unfiltered surface water source. Kensico Reservoir delivers high quality water and has sufficient capacity to supply the City. The City’s three wells, which supply a total of approximately 150,000 to 200,000 gallons per day, were removed from service in 2009. The Federal EPA had previously enacted the Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR), which required the City to conduct a study to determine if these wells were under the influence of nearby surface water and that was found to be the case with the City’s wells. Although the water quality from these wells has been consistently high for many decades, the new regulations (stated under NYSDOH PWS 43 Technical Reference) require the City to filter this water. As the City had already begun the process of rehabilitating its reservoir filtration plant, the unit is being redesigned to also incorporate the well supply. This will enable the City to meet the latest Federal and New York State Regulations pertaining to both the City’s alternate water supplies (Reservoirs and Wells) using a single filtration plant. The City plans to resume using both the reservoirs and the wells in 2014, as they are currently out of service. -
The Riverkeeper Story Our History and Programs
THE RIVERKEEPER STORY OUR HISTORY AND PROGRAMS The Hudson Valley has long been considered the birthplace of the modern environmental movement. It was here in the 1960s that a small group of local fishermen and concerned citizens were determined to reverse the decline of the then near-dead Hudson River by confronting polluters directly. In 1980, after a 15-year legal battle spearheaded by the Hudson River Fisherman’s Association (HRFA) and several other fledging environmental groups, Consolidated Edison agreed to drop its plans to build a mammoth hydroelectric facility on Storm King Mountain that would have destroyed a major striped bass spawning area. The Storm King case demonstrated how a combination of grassroots organizing and simple enforcement of existing laws could ensure the public of their right to clean water and unspoiled open spaces. With that major victory and a string of other successful lawsuits, HRFA realized they needed a full-time river advocate to safeguard the Hudson River and communities that depend upon it from abuse. In 1983, HRFA launched a boat on the Hudson and inaugurated the first Riverkeeper program. View of Storm King Mountain Later that year, Riverkeeper quickly received national attention when it from Newburgh, NY discovered that oil tankers were regularly discharging toxic petrochemicals from their cargo holds into the Hudson River, moving upstream to tank up with clean Hudson water, and selling the water to the Caribbean island of Aruba. Riverkeeper won an historic out-of-court settlement – which helped endow the Hudson River Foundation – and has since brought to justice over 300 additional environmental lawbreakers. -
Appendix D New York City 2018 Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report
AECOM NRG Astoria Replacement Project SPDES Permit Modification Appendix D New York City 2018 Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report 60609400 April 2020 New York City 2018 Drinking Water Supply and Quality Report Bill de Blasio Mayor Vincent Sapienza, P.E. Commissioner Tunneling through at Schoharie Reservoir OTSEGO RENSSELAER CHENANGO COUNTY SCHOHARIE COUNTY COUNTY COUNTY ALBANY Oneonta COUNTY Gilboa C D a Catskill/Delaware e t s la k w il a l r e Schoharie S Delhi h Watersheds a Reservoir n d a COLUMBIA k GREENE e COUNTY DELAWARE n COUNTY COUNTY Tu Hunter EW YORK n N s n le e i l M 5 Pepacton MASSACHUSETTS 12 iver Cannonsville Walton Reservoir R Reservoir Downsville Phoenicia Ashokan Esopus Reservoir Deposit Creek West Branch East Delaware T Delaware Kingston We st Delaware East Branch Delaware Tunnel unnel DUTCHESS COUNTY Hudson Neversink CUT Reservoir Rondout ULSTER Reservoir COUNTY Delaware Aqueduct Liberty Poughkeepsie Neversink CONNECTI Tunnel Delaware SULLIVAN s Ellenville e il COUNTY M 0 0 1 Croton C Croton a t PENNSYLVANIA s k Watershed i l l A q r u e v e River i R d Lake Boyds Corner k u Reservoir Gleneida s n le i c Middle i s t M r Branch e 5 v Reservoir 7 e PUTNAM lead Bog Brook N Lake i COUNTY G Reservoir ORANGE East Branch COUNTY Kirk Reservoir West Branch Lake g on Falls Divertin Reservoir Crot rvoir Reservoir Rese s ile Titicus M 0 Amawalk Reservoir 5 New Croton Reservoir Cross River Reservoir Reservoir Croton Water N H Muscoot NEW YORK CITY e Filtration Plant Hillview u w dson Reservoir Reservoir C WATER TUNNELS AND ro WESTCHESTER NY t City o Li NEW YORK COUNTY ne ROCKLAND n Jerome Park DISTRIBUTION AREAS Sound A Reservoir COUNTY NEW JER q R Island u CONNECTICUT i e g v n d e Hudson River Lo uc r SEY Cat/Del t Kensico New Croton Aqueduct BRONX UV Facility Reservoir all) y H Cit m fro White City Tunnel No. -
Proposed Action in Kensico Reservoir Study Area
Kensico Reservoir Project Description 8. PROPOSED ACTION IN THE KENSICO RESERVOIR STUDY AREA 8.1 KENSICO RESERVOIR PROJECT DESCRIPTION 8.1.1 BACKGROUND As discussed in Section 1.2.3, “Emergency Authorizations for Alum Application,” NYSDEC, in coordination with NYSDOH issued several emergency authorizations to DEP, which allowed for the application of alum to water in the Catskill Aqueduct upstream of Kensico Reservoir1 to address episodic turbidity. Specifically, alum was applied to coagulate the suspended solids to improve settling and reduce turbidity in flows of water from Ashokan Reservoir.2 Following the expiration of these emergency authorizations, DEP applied for a permit and NYSDEC issued the Catalum SPDES Permit. This permit authorizes DEP to apply alum and sodium hydroxide to reduce turbidity in the Catskill Aqueduct upon NYSDEC receipt of a copy of a notice from the NYSDOH that there is a potential imminent development of a public health hazard related to the discharge of turbid water from Kensico Reservoir. The Catalum SPDES Permit issued by NYSDEC to authorize alum application included a condition that DEP dredge accumulated alum floc from the Reservoir in a manner that minimizes adverse impacts to the environment within Kensico Reservoir. In 2011, the Catalum SPDES Permit was administratively extended. In June 2012, DEP requested a modification to the NYSDEC Catalum SPDES Permit to incorporate measures to address episodic turbidity in water diverted from Ashokan Reservoir, and delay of dredging of alum floc from Kensico Reservoir until completion of RWBT repairs. Repairs to the RWBT are underway and are part of a broader program to ensure the continued reliability of the drinking water system: DEP’s Water for the Future (WFF) Program. -
Staff Attorney
Riverkeeper, Inc. Staff Attorney Background Established in 1966, Riverkeeper is an independent, member supported environmental organization whose mission is to protect the ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its watershed, and to safeguard the drinking water supply of nine million New Yorkers. For more information, visit www.riverkeeper.org. Position Overview Riverkeeper seeks a staff attorney for its Legal Program, reporting to the Legal Program Director. The Staff Attorney will expand Riverkeeper’s presence and effectiveness in the mid to upper Hudson River watershed and the New York City drinking water watershed through litigation, advocacy, public education, and public outreach in order to advance Riverkeeper’s policy goals of fishable, swimmable waterways. The position requires significant travel throughout the Hudson River Valley, and a commitment to attend meetings and appointments that may be outside of normal business hours. Riverkeeper is looking for a qualified environmental litigator and advocate with an exceptional commitment to the environment and a strong academic and experiential-learning record. Requirements All candidates must: ● Be admitted to practice law in New York State, or be qualified to be admitted upon motion, or sit for the next administration of the New York State bar exam if necessary; ● Have a strong commitment to Riverkeeper’s mission and goals and possess a general familiarity with non-profit environmental organizations; ● Demonstrate familiarity with federal administrative and environmental law; ● Have 1-4 years of litigation experience; ● Have excellent writing, research and communication skills; ● Be energetic, creative, well organized, independent, hard-working, personable, and have a sense of humor; and ● Be able to maintain a flexible work schedule, be willing to work some evenings, and frequently travel throughout the Hudson Valley for meetings.