Environment DEC
From the September 2005 issue
DEC Proposes Amended Putnam and Dutchess Counties Wetland Maps
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan recently announced that drafts of amended State Freshwater Wetland Maps were released for Putnam and lower Dutchess counties. The maps include portions of the New York City watershed.
"Wetlands are extremely critical areas that provide many important benefits to all residents of New York State and to the overall health of our environment," Commissioner Sheehan said. "Wetlands naturally cleanse and purify water by removing nutrients and other impurities and keep these pollutants from entering our streams, rivers, lakes and reservoirs. These areas are especially important in protecting the long-term quality of the New York City drinking water supply."
Nearly 6,000 Acres Added
The state has identified 121 additional wetlands in Putnam and lower Dutchess counties, which includes the New York City watershed, that are now protected under the state's Freshwater Wetlands Act. Wetlands and other waters of the United States are also protected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act. In addition, municipalities may also regulate wetlands under local municipal law.
The green shaded areas indicate a portion of the additional wetlands
The scope of the proposed remapping amendment includes Putnam County and that portion of lower Dutchess County that falls within the New York City watershed. The draft amendments consist primarily of the addition of previously unmapped wetland areas. Within the New York City watershed portion of Putnam and Dutchess counties, approximately 4,520 acres of wetlands were added and an additional 1,400 acres of wetlands were added just outside the watershed in Putnam County. An additional 5,920 acres of wetlands will now appear on the Article 24 Freshwater Wetland Act Regulatory Maps.
Access to Draft Maps
Printed copies of the draft maps, depicting the proposed amendments, may be viewed at local government clerks' offices, at local town libraries, at DEC's Region 3 Office located at 21 South Putt Corners Road in New Paltz. The maps may also be viewed and printed from DEC's Wetlands Mapping web pages (see "Related Links" below). You can also see the website of consulting firm Bagdon Environmental. Full-size copies of the maps may be purchased from BT Images, Incorporated and Syracuse Blue Print Company.
Public Meetings
To provide all interested parties with an opportunity to view the proposed amended maps and get additional information on the Freshwater Wetlands Program, DEC has scheduled two informational meetings for September 13 and 14, 2005 at the Carmel Town Hall located at 60 McAlpin Avenue, Mahopac, Putnam County. The meetings start at 2:00 PM and conclude at 7:30 PM. In addition, DEC has scheduled a public hearing on September 14 at the Carmel Town Hall, to give the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed map amendments. The public hearing will start at 7:30 PM.
The Freshwater Wetlands Act, Article 24 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law, provides DEC with the authority to regulate the state's freshwater wetland resources. The act regulates: wetlands that are 12.4 acres or greater in size; certain smaller wetlands identified as unusual or of local importance, and a 100-foot buffer area around mapped wetlands. A wetland must be shown on the official Article 24 Freshwater Wetland Maps in order to be regulated under the act. The act also allows DEC to amend maps in order to add, modify or delete areas from the Article 24 Freshwater Wetland Maps. For additional information regarding the act, please visit the Freshwater Wetlands Program web page at DEC's website (see "Related Links" below).
