watershed regulations
In 1997, New York City issued its first new regulations of activities
in the upstate watersheds since 1953. The world, understanding of
potential pollution threats to water quality, the ability to detect
water contamination and the regulatory environment had changed enormously,
and the regulations reflect those many changes. Another key difference
is the way that the regulations were developed. The 1997 version,
incorporated into the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with watershed
towns, the State, the federal EPA and environmental groups, is a
product of six years of negotiations among the parties to the MOA.
The final result ensures the protection of water quality and that
the City, not the residents, businesses and landowners of the watershed,
bears the cost of water quality protection measures that are above
and beyond what current State and/or federal law requires. more
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phosphorus restricted
basins Nutrients are essential to the healthy functioning
of all ecosystems. However, too much of certain nutrients in the
water can cause a wide range of water quality problems, including:
high concentrations of algae; low levels of dissolved oxygen; unacceptable
taste, odor and color; and increased-by-products of disinfection.
Phosphorus is generally the nutrient that controls algae growth
in fresh water lakes and reservoirs. In the City’s reservoir
system, phosphorus concentrations are strongly correlated with the
amount of algae and the frequency of algal blooms. Algae, in turn,
consumes oxygen need for plant and animal life in a healthy aquatic
environment. more >
SEQRA SEQRA is the
State Environmental Quality Review Act. Under SEQRA, sponsors of
all proposed construction projects, in or out of the watershed,
must complete an environmental assessment to determine whether the
proposed activity may have an impact on the surrounding environment,
including air, water, noise, human and animal habitats and traffic.
If this analysis determines that a project may have environmental
consequences, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) must be prepared.
The EIS fully describes potential impacts and must also describe
the measures that will be taken to avoid or minimize any detrimental
effects the project might have. Once the EIS is complete, the governmental
agency that's determined to be the "lead agency" in reviewing
the EIS and all "involved agencies" issue determinations
that allow the project to proceed; to proceed with actions to reduce
or eliminate harmful effects; or that deny approval of the project.
more >
Watershed
Protection