ENB Region 3 Notices 2/10/2021

Public Notice

Notice of Second Public Comment Hearing

Applicant:

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP)
59-17 Junction Boulevard
Corona, NY 11368

NYS DEC Applications and Id Numbers:

Article 17, State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Permit Modification DEC #3-9909-00023/00006 (SPDES # NY)

Project Description:

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS) was prepared to evaluate the proposed modification of NYC DEP's Catskill Aqueduct Influent Chamber State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (Catalum SPDES Permit). An Order on Consent (NYSDEC Case No. D007-001-11.01) was executed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) on October 4, 2013 and was amended in 2018 (2018 Modification) and in 2020 (2020 Modification) (collectively as modified, the Consent Order). Among other provisions, the Consent Order includes specific requirements and timeframes for carrying out a State Environmental Quality Review Act review, including the preparation of an EIS for the Proposed Action (a modification of the Catalum SPDES Permit). Pursuant to the Consent Order, the Proposed Action would modify the Catalum SPDES Permit to incorporate the following:

Turbidity control measures, including operation of Ashokan Reservoir in accordance with the Interim Ashokan Release Protocol (IRP); and
Delay of dredging accumulated material (alum floc) from Kensico Reservoir until the completion of certain infrastructure projects.

Implementation of the turbidity control measures analyzed in the Draft EIS would allow NYCDEP to continue to provide reliable, clean, and safe drinking water while reducing reliance on chemical treatment of the water supply, specifically the use of alum, during episodic turbidity events.

State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA):

The project is a Type I Action as designated by 6 NYCRR §617.4(b)(6)(i). The Consent Order required the preparation of a Draft EIS. A Draft EIS has been prepared and the NYSDEC, as lead agency, has determined that the Draft EIS is adequate for public review and comment. As noted below, written public comments will be accepted on the Draft EIS until June 16, 2021.

Notice of Complete Application:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) has determined that permit application filed for the proposed SPDES permit modification is complete for purposes of further NYS DEC review and public comment pursuant to the Uniform Procedures Act (UPA) 6 NYCRR §621.7. NYS DEC permit jurisdiction includes the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) permit (ECL Article 17). As noted below, written public comments will also be accepted on the application and Draft SPDES Permit until June 16, 2021.

Additional Regulatory Provisions:

State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) Determination:

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP) was consulted and their determination indicated that the Proposed Action would have no impact on archaeological or historic resources within the study area.

Coastal Zone Management:

This project is not located in a Coastal Management Area and, therefore, is not subject to the Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act.

Document Availability:

The Draft EIS, which includes permit application materials are available for public review on the internet at the following websites:

NYC DEP Website: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dep/about/catskill-influent-chamber.page
NYS DEC Website: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/79771.html.

Hard Copies of these documents can also be requested from NYC DEP by e-mailing: catalumeis@dep.nyc.gov or calling (718) 595-4614

Legislative Public Comment Hearing:

A second legislative public comment hearing on the permit application and the Draft EIS will be held before Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Michele M. Stefanucci at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2021, through the Webex Events electronic webinar platform. All persons, organizations, corporations or government agencies that may be affected by the proposed project are invited to attend the legislative public comment hearing and to submit oral comments on the Draft EIS, applications and draft permits. Instructions on the how to "join" the hearing and provide an oral statement may be accessed at the NYS DEC webpage https://www.dec.ny.gov/enb/122281.html

The ALJ may restrict the time available to three (3) minutes for each person, to ensure that all persons will have an opportunity to be heard. It is recommended that lengthy comments be summarized at the hearing and submitted in writing as indicated below. Equal weight will be given to both oral and written comments.

Interpreter services shall be made available to deaf persons, and English language translator service shall be made available to persons with limited English-language proficiency, at no charge upon written request to the ALJ identified above, at least ten (10) business days prior to the hearing. The written request must be addressed to ALJ Stefanucci, NYS DEC - Office of Hearings and Mediation Services, 625 Broadway, 1st Floor, Albany, NY 12233-1550 or emailed to ALJ Stefanucci at ohms@dec.ny.gov

Written Public Comments:

All interested parties may submit written comment concerning the Draft EIS and permit applications to the NYS DEC Contact Person listed below by June 16, 2021. Comments sent by regular mail must be postmarked no later than June 16, 2021. E-mail comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. June 16, 2021.

NYS DEC Contact Person:

Kristen Cady-Poulin
NSY DEC - Division of Environmental Permits
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233
Phone: (518) 402-9167
E-mail: DEPPermitting@dec.ny.gov

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) has received a Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) application from Broad Street Owner LLC for a site known as Broad Street Irving Ave Cleaners Site, site ID #C360213. This site is located in the Village of Port Chester, within the County of Westchester, and is located at 34-36, 38, 40 & 46 Broad Street and 139, 143, 145 & 147 Irving Avenue.

Access the application and other relevant documents online through the DECinfo Locator: https://www.dec.ny.gov/data/DecDocs/C360213/. The documents will also be available at the document repository once reopened, located at the Port Chester - Rye Brook Public Library, 1 Haseco Avenue, Port Chester, NY 10573.

There are several ways to comment on BCP applications. Comments can be submitted to: Scott Deyette, NYS DEC - division of Environmental Remediation, 625 Broadway, 12th Floor, Albany, NY, 12233-7014, Phone: (518) 402-9794, E-mail: scott.deyette@dec.ny.gov. All comments must be submitted by March 12, 2021.

Siteinformation can be viewed by entering the site ID noted above at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/cfmx/extapps/derexternal/index.cfm?pageid=3.

We would also encourage those interested in receiving information on future activities at this site or any other site to sign up to NYS DEC's Contaminated Sites E-mail List at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/61092.html.

What is the Brownfield Cleanup Program?

New York's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) is designed to encourage private-sector cleanups of brownfields and to promote their redevelopment as a means to revitalize economically blighted communities. The BCP is an alternative to "greenfield" (land not previously developed or contaminated) development and is intended to remove some of the barriers to, and provide tax incentives for, the redevelopment of brownfields. Since its inception (2003), the BCP has catalyzed the cleanup of more than 300 contaminated sites statewide and incentivized redevelopment. There are more than 350 active sites in the BCP.

Additional information on the New York State's Brownfield program is available at NYS DEC's website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8450.html.

Negative Declaration

Rockland County - The Village of Montebello Board of Trustees, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Local Law 1 of 2021 - Amending Chapters 195 Zoning and 104 Hotels, Inns and Boardinghouses will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves the adoption of a Local Law to define and prohibit short term rentals of dwelling units or portions thereof for periods of 29 days or less.. The project is located throughout the Village of Montebello, New York.

Contact: Joan Will, Village of Montebello, One Montebello Road, Montebello, NY 10901, Phone: (845) 368-2211, E-mail: JWill@villageofmontebello.com.

Sullivan County - The Town Board of the Town of Thompson, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Harris Sewer Force Main and Pump Station Replacement will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves the installation of approximately 19,000 linear foot of sewer force main and four sewer pump stations. The project is located between Bushville Road in the Town of Thompson, New York and NYS Route 17B in the Village of Monticello, New York.

Contact: William J. Rieber, Jr., Town of Thompson, 4052 Route 42, Monticello, NY 12701, Phone: (845) 794-2500, E-mail: supervisor@townofthompson.com.

Ulster County - The Town of Esopus Town Board, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Local Law #1 of 2021 Amending Section 123-61, "Terms Defined" will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves the adoption of a local law of the Town of Esopus amending the definition of Junkyard and adding new terms and definitions: Farm Operations, Self-Storage Warehouse, Warehouse and Warehousing. The project is located throughout the Town of Esopus, New York.