November 25, 2024

DEP Collaborating with State ConnectALL Initiative to Ensure Efficient and Robust Wireless Expansion in the Catskills and Hudson Valley

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced its intent to expand broadband and wireless communications throughout the 2,000-square-mile upstate watershed and water supply and help eliminate cell phone dead zones for residents and businesses in the region. DEP is seeking to improve wireless communications for operational and emergency usage in the watershed and water supply system region, which includes 19 reservoirs, three controlled lakes and vast infrastructure managing the water supply serving half of New York State’s population.

“Far too much of the watershed region remains a broadband and cellular black hole and improving wireless communications for operational and emergency purposes is a crucial need for DEP,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Enabling local communities to benefit from that expansion of service, and partnering with the State for a more efficient and robust rollout, is a win for all. DEP remains committed to being the best neighbor possible with our watershed community partners, and managing City assets in a way that may also benefit those residents and businesses connected to our watershed is a top priority.”

The intent to expand coverage was detailed in a “Request for Information” (RFI) issued as a first step in eliminating broadband and wireless communications dead zones across the eight-county watershed region in the Hudson Valley and Catskills where New York City’s water supply system operates. As part of the RFI, DEP intends to ensure whatever system is proposed and ultimately built out includes the ability for cellular and broadband common carriers to provide service for watershed communities.

In parallel, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s ConnectALL initiative, administered by Empire State Development (ESD), is also working to expand broadband access in and around the watershed region. The program has recently awarded grants to Schoharie and Sullivan counties, with plans to open additional applications for unserved areas. DEP will work with ESD to support these efforts and will continue to collaborate with ConnectALL on further opportunities to expand service in the watershed.

New York City owns more than 200,000 acres and more than 100 miles of roads throughout the watershed region, and the RFI proposed that potential vendors use City-owned lands, roads and its vast infrastructure to facilitate the buildout of wireless communications systems. DEP’s watershed territory includes land and infrastructure in Delaware, Ulster, Schoharie, Orange, Greene, Sullivan, Putnam, Westchester and Dutchess counties.

DEP’s RFI is meant to facilitate planning and initiate conversations with industry leaders and stakeholders. Since publishing the RFI, DEP has received significant interest from leaders in the wireless communications and infrastructure sectors and will be engaging with them to help determine the best options for achieving the expanding coverage goals in the watershed and supply system region.

“As ConnectALL makes the largest-ever public investment to transform the state’s digital infrastructure, our strategic collaboration with NYC DEP presents a significant opportunity to bring much-needed broadband and cellular service to underserved areas of the watershed,” said Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight. “This partnership is a crucial step in our mission to ensure that all communities have access to the digital resources they need to succeed in today's connected world."

“In an age where internet access and cell service underpin our safety, the functioning of daily life, and a strong economy, the service gaps in our watershed communities are a glaring inequity that needs to be solved,” said State Senator Michelle Hinchey. “We’re excited that the DEP is joining our fight in a real way to help bridge these gaps and make sure our watershed communities receive the reliable service they deserve. I commend DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala for his leadership, and I look forward to working together to steward this mission.”

“This initiative to eliminate broadband and cellular dead zones in the upstate watershed region is a transformative and long-overdue step,” said State Senator Peter Oberacker. “It will strengthen emergency response capabilities, boost economic growth, and improve the quality of life for families and small businesses. I commend the New York City DEP for leading this effort and look forward to working with providers to ensure broadband and cellular access reaches every corner of our upstate communities.”

“I am proud to support the initiative from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection to expand broadband and wireless communications throughout the upstate region,” said State Assemblyman Chris Tague. “This has been at the forefront of my agenda as the residents in rural areas lack cellular coverage in several parts of Delaware, Schoharie, Albany, Otsego and Ulster counties. Reliable access to cell phone coverage is crucial for ensuring safety and enhancing connectivity in rural areas for families, businesses and first responders.”

“We are thrilled that the NYC Department of Environmental Protection is expanding broadband and wireless coverage in our watershed communities, which will close major gaps in a service that is truly an essential health, safety, educational, and occupational need in the 21st century,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “This is something we had discussed with the DEP when I first came into office last year, and I want to thank Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala for his commitment to addressing these long-standing connectivity gaps in the region.”

“The Delaware County Board of Supervisors supports the enhancement of broadband and cellular service as yet another way our partnership with New York City provides for mutually beneficial services supporting the goals of the MoA and our joint mission to serve our respective constituents, said Delaware County Board of Supervisors Chair Tina Molé.

“Improving wireless connectivity is a crucial step toward enhancing safety, fostering economic growth and ensuring that every community can fully participate in the modern digital world,” said Westchester County Executive George Latimer. “With the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and the State’s ConnectALL initiative, we are bridging the digital divide. I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on everyday life.”

“Everyone knows internet access across the Hudson Valley can be tenuous sometimes. Any effort to improve that will certainly help support local businesses, enhance essential services, and provide better access to information and resources to our schools,” said Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne. “It will also strengthen emergency medical services by improving communication and response capabilities, closing connectivity gaps, and fostering a more resilient community.”

“Greene County applauds the New York City Department of Environmental Protection for its forward-thinking initiative to expand cellular communications to address the coverage gaps in the upstate watershed region,” said Greene County Legislature Chairman Patrick Linger. “This strategic move not only enhances the efficiency of emergency response but also supports the broader goal of bridging the digital divide. Greene County has already made significant progress in expanding broadband fiber to the home, and we recognize the challenges presented, especially in the rural mountaintop regions of the watershed. This collaboration will further strengthen connectivity for local residents and businesses and is a vital step toward enhancing public safety and the quality of life in our communities."

About the NYC Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.8 million in New York City and 1 million more in counties north of the City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the City, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $29 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.