FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE02-03
January
11, 2002
Contact: Geoff Ryan
(718) 595-6600
DEP
Starts Temporary Waterfowl Management Program At Croton Falls Reservoir
Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E., of the New York City Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that, starting on Saturday,
January 12, between the hours of 3:00 and 7:00 p.m., DEP will start using
motor boats and noisemakers to discourage gulls from roosting at Croton Falls
Reservoir in the Putnam County towns of Carmel and Southeast.
"Because gulls (Ring-necked, Herring and Great Black-backed) have been
roosting in unusually high numbers at the reservoir, fecal coliform counts
in Croton Falls Reservoir have risen sharply, posing a threat to water quality
and public health," said Commissioner Miele. "Accordingly, we will
discourage the gulls from roosting by using noise-making devices that sound
like firecrackers and make flashes similar to Roman candles. We have been
using these techniques with great success in our Waterfowl Management Program
at the Kensico Reservoir. I hasten to add that we expect to employ the program
at Croton Falls only on a temporary basis, until the reservoir freezes over."
Normally, DEP would not have to utilize waterfowl management at Croton Falls.
Because of current drought conditions, however, DEP is maximizing use of the
Croton Water Supply System by pumping water from Croton Falls into the Delaware
Aqueduct.
DEP started its Waterfowl Management Program in 1993, when investigations
revealed that a seasonal increase in bird droppings had affected water quality
and caused several isolated instances of E. coli contamination in the City's
drinking water distribution system. Since its inception, scientists have found
no seasonal increase in bird-generated bacteria and there have been no instances
of E. coli in the distribution system.
"This relatively simple program has delivered superb results at the
Kensico Reservoir without endangering wildlife at Kensico in any way,"
said Commissioner Miele. "We expect similar success at the Croton Falls
Reservoir."