Environment DEC
From the November 2004 issue
Governor Applauds Vote to Fund Watershed Efforts
Governor George E. Pataki applauded votes by the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate on legislation that authorizes $15 million a year for seven years for projects to protect the New York City watershed. The legislation now will be sent to the White House where President George W. Bush is expected to sign it into law to further protect the water supply of nine million New Yorkers--more than half of the New York State's population.
The fifteen-mile-long
Canonsville Reservoir in Delaware County
is one of several reservoirs in the
New York City water supply system
"The New York City Watershed is one of the most environmentally and economically important regions in the Northeast," Governor Pataki said. "The critical work being done in the watershed is essential for the future health of the region, its communities, and the drinking water supply for more than nine million New Yorkers."
The legislation was introduced in the House by Congressman Vito Fossella, who served as Vice-Chair of the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials and in the Senate by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The bills were co-sponsored by New York's entire 31-member delegation, highlighting the importance of this legislation to New York State.
The New York City water supply system--about 1.4 billion gallons per day--flows from an upstate watershed that spans more than 2,000 square miles, roughly the size of the State of Delaware. In 1986 Congress approved the Safe Drinking Water Act, which mandated that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) require the filtration of all drinking water supplies. An exception was allowed only for those supplies that have a comprehensive watershed management program to ensure that a high quality of drinking water can be maintained.
In 1997, Governor Pataki brokered an agreement with New York City, the EPA, environmental groups and more than 75 communities in the Catskills and Hudson River valley to comprehensively manage the unfiltered drinking water supply for New York City. While this historic agreement laid the groundwork for the protection of the New York City Watershed, the state recognized that an effective and sophisticated water quality monitoring and surveillance program for the watershed was necessary for its success.
In 1996, Congress enacted legislation that authorized a total of $105 million in federal appropriations for projects implemented as part of the watershed program for the protection and enhancement of the quality of source waters of the New York City water supply system. To date, $31 million has been provided for 66 projects under the 1996 authorization, which has now expired. The bills that recently passed in both the House and Senate authorize an additional $15 million each year for the next seven years to continue the state's and the city's efforts to implement the watershed agreement.
DEC Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said, "This is a victory for all New Yorkers, especially those residing in New York City and within the watershed. With this vote, the unprecedented partnership that we formed in 1997 will continue to serve as a national model. Governor Pataki and Congressmen Fossella's leadership were instrumental in this process, along with the bipartisan efforts of New York's delegation.
"The watershed agreement represents a consensus of all parties involved, and has fostered the implementation of many innovative watershed protection programs and pollution prevention initiatives. The commitment of Congress and the EPA to support the effective protection of the New York City Watershed is necessary to ensure the continued success of the agreement," Commissioner Crotty added.
