Environment DEC
From the September 2004 issue
Governor Announces $12.7 Million to Improve Water Quality
Governor George E. Pataki recently announced more than $12.7 million in grants for 43 water quality improvement projects across New York State that will help reduce pollution and runoff entering the state's lakes, rivers and streams.
Runoff is a major cause
of water pollution
"From Long Island Sound to the Great Lakes, our treasured waterways across New York provide historic, cultural and environmental lifelines for the communities along their banks," Governor Pataki said. "By offering these communities the assistance they need to improve the capacity and performance of their wastewater treatment plants and to reduce runoff, we are improving water quality and safeguarding these priceless resources for future generations."
Wastewater Treatment Projects
Of the funding announced, $9.7 million will be used to assist municipalities in reducing water pollution through wastewater treatment improvements. Ten new wastewater treatment plants in upstate municipalities will be constructed and six will be upgraded. The projects address environmental priorities, including the elimination of raw discharges and failing on-site systems in hardship communities, and improving aging treatment and collection systems.
Water and Sewer Co-Funding Initiative
Funding for these projects was coordinated through the Water and Sewer Co-Funding Initiative, a cooperative effort between several New York State agencies and one federal government agency to coordinate funding for water and sewer projects in communities throughout the state. This initiative provides a streamlined process that makes it easier and quicker for communities to obtain optimal funding for their projects and helps ensure that available funds are used as effectively as possible.
Through the Co-funding Initiative, 15 of the 16 wastewater treatment improvement projects are also receiving more than $64 million in state co-funding from the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act; New York's Clean Water State Revolving Fund, administered by the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); the Community Development Block Grant Program, administered by the Governor's Office for Small Cities, and the Appalachian Regional Commission Development Program, administered by the Department of State. In addition, the Water and Wastewater Disposal Loan and Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Development Program, has provided these projects with $3.36 million in funding and has an additional $5.5 million in funding for which they are eligible.
Runoff Reduction Projects
In addition to the wastewater treatment projects, Governor Pataki also announced that $3 million has been awarded to assist soil and water conservation districts and municipalities with implementation of 27 projects to reduce water pollution from runoff sources other than agriculture as part of the statewide Non-agricultural Non-point Source Pollution Abatement and Control Program. This type of runoff carries soil, animal waste, automotive fluids, and other contaminants into our waterways and is a major source of water pollution in New York State. These projects will focus on urban stormwater management, aquatic habitat restoration, streambank restoration, road bank stabilization and improved road salt storage.
With this announcement, the state has committed a total of $27.4 million since 1995 for non-agricultural, non-point source abatement and control projects. Overall, Governor Pataki has committed more than $490 million for wastewater and non-point source projects to enhance the water quality of New York State's lakes, rivers and streams since 1995.
Please see DEC's July 2004 Press Releases for a detailed list of funded projects.
