FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE06-06
February
15, 2006
Contact:
Ian Michaels
(718) 595-6600
Statement
of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection
on Diversion
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
continues to believe that diversion is the best method to enhance
water quality and to resolve the sewage issues in several areas
within the Croton watershed, including the Town of Yorktown. Despite
the Department’s efforts since 1997 to support diversion,
it has become apparent that it is unlikely at this time to gain
the required Westchester County legislative approval.
This reality, combined with the need to address ongoing
water quality issues, has led the DEP to consider other options. The
expansion of sewage treatment plants and the construction of new
treatment plants within a “60-day travel time” boundary
in the watershed is currently not permitted by the watershed regulations. The
DEP is now considering an amendment to the regulations under which
applicants could seek a variance from this prohibition under certain
extraordinary circumstances.
Any modification to the existing watershed regulations
involves a rulemaking process pursuant to the City’s Administrative
Procedure Act, which typically takes a minimum of one year and
involves a formal series of publications, public hearings and opportunity
for public comment on the proposed new language.