March 25, 1997

Contact: Geoffrey Ryan (718/595-5371)

New York City Schedules Workshop for Putnam County Developers on Phosphorous Offset Pilot Programs

Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr. of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the Department has scheduled a workshop for Putnam County government officials, developers and builders on the phosphorus offset pilot program described in the City's new watershed regulations. The regulations, which are expected to go into effect at the end of April, prohibit the construction or expansion of surface discharging wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the phosphorus restricted basins of the watershed. However, the regulations describe a five-year pilot program that allows for construction of up to three such WWTPs in the phosphorus restricted basins of the Croton System in Putnam County.

At the workshop, a panel of City attorneys and engineering staff will give a brief presentation of the pilot offset program in Putnam County and will follow up with a question and answer session. Additionally, DEP has prepared a 31-page Guidance for Phosphorus Offset Pilot Programs which provides information on the program. Commissioner Miele said, "I hope this workshop and the guidance document will provide a clear understanding of this innovative program. If the pilot program successfully achieves water quality and regulatory goals, it could serve as the basis for establishing a permanent offset program."

The workshop is scheduled for: Date: Thursday, April 3rd Time: 6:00 P.M. Place: Mahopac High School Baldwin Place Road Carmel