Environment DEC
From the September 2006 issue
Governor Announces Nearly $6 Million to Improve Water Quality
Governor George E. Pataki announced more than $5.8 million in grants for 60 water quality improvement projects throughout New York State that will help to reduce the amount of pollution in waterways and restore critical aquatic habitats.
The purpose of the grants is to help
municipalities meet stormwater
discharge requirements, and
thereby improve water quality
"Our efforts to improve water quality in the Empire State are vital to ensuring that people have access to clean, healthy water and pollution does not harm important aquatic habits," Governor Pataki said. "These grants support local water quality improvement projects and will provide needed funding to restore, preserve and protect our water resources. We are pleased to partner with local communities in this effort and will continue to provide assistance to promote beneficial projects."
Runoff Pollution Abatement and Control
A total of $2,931,644 will be awarded to 34 municipalities and soil and water conservation districts (SWCD) through the state's Nonagricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program. These grants will assist with projects to reduce water pollution from runoff sources other than agriculture. Stormwater runoff is a major source of our water pollution because it carries soil, animal waste, automotive fluids and other contaminants into our waterways.
In addition, 26 projects are being funded with a total of $2,903,876 to help municipalities comply with the state's implementation of the federal Clean Water Act's Phase II stormwater controls. The projects will help 253 municipalities in 19 counties protect water quality by implementing measures to limit stormwater runoff and control pollutants from runoff.
Stormwater Program
The Phase II stormwater program requires approximately 450 communities across the state to obtain permit coverage of their municipal separate storm sewers systems (MS4) to reduce stormwater discharges into waterways. An MS4 is a conveyance or system of conveyances that could include roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, constructed channels or storm drains that move water and discharge it into streams, rivers and lakes.
Under the Phase II stormwater program, regulated MS4s are to develop and implement a stormwater management program by January of 2008. By providing these grants to municipalities, the state will help these communities achieve Phase II compliance in time to meet the deadline.
