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The New York City Watershed Agreement

Review of New York State's 5-year water quality assessment, regulations, land acquisition program, and partnership programs in the NYC Watershed Agreement. Significant reductions in total phosphorus and indicators since 1996. Findings, recommendations, and state commitments enhanced by new initiatives like Advanced GIS, TAC Science & Technical Forum, Wetlands Mapping, and Volunteer Monitoring Program.

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The New York City Watershed Agreement

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  1. The New York City Watershed Agreement “A commitment to Partnership”

  2. New York State’s 5 Year Review

  3. Water Quality Assessment and Monitoring • Total phosphorus, as well as most every other indicator, have been significantly reduced in the terminal reservoirs since 1996.

  4. Review of Regulations • DOH conducted survey of State, County and local officials. • Recommendations - DEP regulations should be amended to reflect the anticipated changes to the State’s stormwater program.

  5. Review of Regulations(con’t) - Improved intergovernmental coordination of project review is needed.

  6. New York State Land Acquisition Program • NYC was required to solicit 355,050 acres of land in Catskill/Delaware by 2007 and commit $250M. • NYS and NYC committed to spend $17.5M for acquisition of Croton Watershed lands. • NYC is to transfer conservation easements to NYS for all lands acquired.

  7. New York State Land Acquisition Program(con’t) Findings • By end of 2001, NYC solicited 258,716 acres and committed approximately $125M to acquire 38,000 acres of land.

  8. New York State Land Acquisition Program(con’t) • NYC and NYS have spent $17.5M for Croton land acquisition. This spring, Governor Pataki committed to spend another $10M of State funding for Land Acquisition in the East of Hudson Watershed. • Recommendations • NYC and NYS need to work to get easements transferred ASAP.

  9. New York City Watershed Protection & Partnership Programs • There are over 25 programs in the MOA to protect water quality and ensure economic vitality Findings - Many programs are being successfully implemented. • Some have experienced delays but now appear on track. • None of programs require substantial revision but several would benefit from additional coordination, focus and funding.

  10. New York City Watershed Partnership Programs(con’t) Specific Programs: • WWTP Upgrade Program has been delayed but a new schedule has been developed. • Recommendations - NYC should comply with the new schedule. - O&M Agreements should be executed.

  11. New York City Watershed Partnership Programs(con’t) 2. The Municipal New Sewage Treatment Infrastructure Facilities program has been modified to become a block grant program to address first five municipalities.

  12. New York City Watershed Partnership Programs(con’t) • Recommendations • Municipalities 6 & 7 still need to be addressed. • Additional municipalities (8-22) should be addressed.

  13. New York City Watershed Partnership Programs(con’t) 3. The Sewer Extension Program has made some progress in negotiations. Recommendations • Work must continue to come to consensus on a sewer extension agreement so that the projects can be constructed. • DEP should consider appropriate additional sewer extensions in the future.

  14. New York City Watershed Partnership Programs(con’t) 4. The Septic Rehabilitation and Replacement Program has been very successful with over 1300 septic systems rebuilt by the end of 2001. Recommendation • The program should be continued with a goal of rehabilitating approximately 300 systems per year.

  15. New York City Watershed Partnership Programs(con’t) 5. Five stream demonstration projects have been successfully completed under the Stream Corridor Program. • Recommendation - The program should be continued and expedited.

  16. State Commitments • In 2000, tripled annual State appropriation for enforcement, monitoring and technical assessment. • EFC has provided $20M in SRF funding for water quality protection projects Putnam and Westchester Counties. • DOS has provided over $900,000 for Master Planning and Zoning Projects.

  17. State Commitments • Governor Pataki has committed to providing an additional $10M of State funding for East of Hudson land acquisition. • ESD has been working with CWC on small business entrepreneur training and initiated a “wired buildings” program for the Catskills.

  18. New Initiatives • Advanced GIS • TAC Science and Technical Forum

  19. New Initiatives(con’t) • Enhanced and Updated Wetlands Mapping • Volunteer Monitoring Program

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