> >> >> >> >> >> For Immediate Release: 2/14/2018 >> GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO >> >> >> >> GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES REGIONAL HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM SUMMITS >> >> Four Summits in Mid-Hudson, Central NY, Western NY and North Country to >> Allow Residents to Hear from Local, State and National Harmful Algal Blooms >> Experts >> >> Governor Announces Creation of Expert Panel and Local Steering Committees to >> Develop Action Plans >> >> >> Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the dates and locations of four >> summits supporting the state's comprehensive effort to protect vulnerable >> lakes and waterbodies in Upstate New York from harmful algal blooms. The >> four regional summits are part of the $65 million four-point initiative >> <https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-unveils-12th-proposal-2018-state-state-protecting-new-yorks-lakes-harmful-algal> >> unveiled in the Governor's 2018 State of the State to aggressively combat >> harmful algal blooms in Upstate New York. The increasing frequency and >> duration of harmful algal blooms threaten drinking water quality and the >> recreational use of lakes essential to upstate tourism. The first of the >> summits will be held on Tuesday, February 27, in New Paltz, New York. >> >> "Protecting water quality is a top priority and New York is committed to >> addressing growing threats like harmful algal blooms," Governor Cuomo said. >> "These summits are bringing experts from across the country and New York >> leaders together with local authorities to develop new and innovative >> strategies to safeguard our water for future generations." >> >> As part of his 2018 State of the State announcements, the Governor directed >> the state's Water Quality Rapid Response Team, co-chaired by Department of >> Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos and Department of >> Health Commissioner Howard Zucker in partnership with the New York State >> Department of Agriculture and Markets, to convene four regional Harmful >> Algal Blooms summits. The summits will bring together national and state >> experts, including scientists from Kansas, Ohio, Tennessee and Vermont, as >> well as SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Cornell >> University, the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee, and >> local stakeholders. >> >> Each of the four summits will include an evening session that is open to the >> public where background information about harmful algal blooms will be >> provided. The sessions will include talks by experts, a panel discussion and >> an opportunity for local residents to share recommendations and ideas. >> >> The four evening sessions will be held on: >> >> Mid-Hudson >> Tuesday, February 27 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. >> SUNY New Paltz Student Union Multi-Purpose Room, 2nd Floor >> 1 Hawk Drive >> New Paltz, NY 12561. >> Free parking will be available on the campus >> >> Central New York (includes Cayuga Lake) >> Tuesday, March 6 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. >> SUNY ESF Gateway Center Building >> 1 Forestry Drive >> Syracuse, NY 13210 >> Free parking available in all ESF designated lots >> >> North Country >> Tuesday, March 20 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. >> Best Western Ticonderoga >> 260 Burgoyne Road >> Ticonderoga, NY 12883 >> >> Western New York >> Monday, March 26 from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. >> R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center, SUNY Monroe Community College, the Forum >> 1000 East Henrietta Road >> Rochester, New York 14623 >> Free parking in campus lots N and M >> >> At these summits, nation-leading experts will work with local steering >> committees to begin development of tailored action plans to address the >> causes of algal blooms in the twelve priority waterbodies across the state. >> The action plans developed for each waterbody will be used to guide the >> development and implementation of priority projects, including new >> monitoring and treatment technologies. The action plans will be complete by >> the end of May and the lessons learned through these action plans will be >> applied to other impacted waterbodies. >> >> The state's panel of national Harmful Algal Blooms experts includes: >> >> · Greg Boyer, Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and >> Forestry >> · Karl Czymmeck, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University >> Department of Animal Science >> · Tim Davis, Associate Professor, Bowling Greene State University, >> Ohio >> · Art DeGaetano, Professor, Department of Earth and Atmospheric >> Sciences, Cornell University >> · Sally Flis, Director, Agronomy, The Fertilizer Institute >> · Jennifer Graham, Research Hydrologist, USGS Kansas Water Science >> Center >> · Nelson Hairston, Frank H. T. Rhodes Professor of Environmental >> Science, Cornell University >> · Dave Matthews, Director, Upstate Freshwater Institute >> · Tim Mihuc, Professor of Environmental Science, SUNY Plattsburgh >> · Hans Paerl, Professor, University of North Carolina >> · Heather Raymond, Program Coordinator, Ohio Environmental >> Protection Agency >> · Angela Shambaugh, Aquatic Biologist, Vermont Department of >> Environmental Conservation >> · Dr. Steve Souza, Founder, Princeton Hydro LLC >> · Dr. Harold W. Walker, co-director of the New York State Center for >> Clean Water Technology, SUNY Stony Brook >> · Judy Westrick, Director of the Lumigen Instrument Facility, Wayne >> State University >> · Steve Willhelm, Professor, Department of Microbiology and Center >> for Environmental Biotechnology, University of Tennessee >> >> DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "At Governor Cuomo's direction, DEC >> scientists and water quality experts are actively investigating the causes >> of algal blooms and pioneering new and innovative solutions to address the >> challenge these blooms pose across the state. With the launch of these >> regional summits, DEC will work with national experts, our state agency >> partners and local leaders, to prioritize actions necessary to protect New >> York's vital water resources." >> >> Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said, "Protecting New York's drinking >> water from harmful algal blooms continues to be a top priority for Governor >> Cuomo. The Department of Health's scientists have been actively testing >> blooms and monitoring waters statewide. These summits are an important >> opportunity for these scientists to work with regional and national experts >> to hone best practices and reinforce the state's robust response protocol >> which is designed to stay ahead of this environmental threat to public >> health." >> >> State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "Investing in the >> protection of our state's lakes and waterways now will ensure our precious >> natural resources remain viable for our future generations. With the >> Governor's focus on water quality and environmental sustainability, these >> summits will help New York State better assess the challenges faced from >> algal blooms and create a blueprint to move us forward." >> >> Senator Betty Little said, "The economy and ecology of the Adirondack Region >> are intertwined. The quality of our waterways is paramount, and I >> enthusiastically support this initiative of Governor Cuomo and the DEC to >> identify the sources and find solutions to address the dangerous algal >> blooms. This is a very serious problem. I'm looking forward to the summits >> and the opportunity for collaboration among a variety of stakeholders." >> >> Senator Patrick M. Gallivan said, "By bringing water quality experts >> together with local leaders and the public, we can share important >> information on how to protect our lakes and waterways from harmful algal >> blooms, which threaten drinking water supplies, recreational activities and >> tourism. I encourage community members to participate in these upcoming >> sessions." >> >> Senator Catharine Young said, "Upstate New York's beautiful lakes are >> environmental and recreational jewels that are enjoyed by millions of >> residents and tourists annually. However, the increasing prevalence of >> harmful algal blooms poses a health and safety risk that must be addressed. >> Chautauqua Lake, identified as one of the priority lakes in the Western New >> York region, has been profoundly impacted - a costly situation which >> compromises water quality and could undermine the major economic development >> efforts occurring on the waterfront. I appreciate the Governor's commitment >> to this issue through these regional summits, which will be extremely >> helpful in understanding the scope of this critical problem as well as the >> possible solutions." >> >> Senator Terrence Murphy said, "My district is home to the ponds and lakes >> most affected by harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. When the reservoir that >> provides drinking water for New York City turns green for three weeks a >> year, you know you have a problem. As the author of legislation to create a >> mechanism whereby the state can study, respond to, and mitigate harmful >> algal blooms and look forward to working with the Governor on this regional >> initiative to engage water quality experts who will help craft solutions to >> protect our water." >> >> Senator Pam Helming said, "The increase of harmful algal blooms such as >> blue-green algae continue to threaten pristine sources of water in the >> Finger Lakes region. We must ensure that water bodies across New York State >> like Seneca, Canandaigua, Cayuga, and Owasco Lakes, which provide drinking >> water and recreational opportunities to hundreds of thousands of residents >> and countless tourists, are given the appropriate resources needed to combat >> this growing problem. Failure to do so could be detrimental to both public >> health and our region's economy. I thank Governor Cuomo for hosting these >> regional HABs summits and his continued attention to this growing issue in >> the Finger Lakes." >> >> Senator John J. Bonacic said, "New York has some of the most pristine lakes >> and bodies of water in the entire country, and we must do everything we can >> to protect them from harmful algal blooms. I thank the Governor for >> convening these important summits and encourage residents to share their >> recommendations." >> >> Senator David J. Valesky said, "I applaud Gov. Cuomo for directing the >> state's Water Quality Rapid Response Team to hold these summits. We must >> take aggressive action to protect our clean water sources from the >> increasing threat of harmful algal blooms." >> >> Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, "One of the lakes affected by >> harmful algae bloom, Skaneateles Lake, is the main source of drinking water >> for the City of Syracuse and other municipalities in Central New York. It is >> imperative that we are committed to addressing the growing threat of the >> algae bloom problem in the safest way to ensure the quality of the drinking >> water and recreational use of the lakes. The summits will help find the most >> efficient and environmentally helpful solutions." >> >> Assemblymember Sandy Galef said, "We have seen algal blooms in my district, >> and know from experience that this is a very serious issue. I hope that many >> people will attend these meetings to learn how to best protect our >> environment to keep our drinking water and recreational waterways clean and >> accessible." >> >> Assemblymember Billy Jones said, "Algal Blooms have wreaked havoc on our >> North Country waters and they can potentially produce harmful effects on >> people, wildlife, drinking water and tourism. I am pleased that the state is >> committed to combatting this issue and these summits will bring about ideas >> to protect our waterways from future devastation." >> >> Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said, "Harmful Algal Blooms are >> impacting lakes across New York State. The state is working with citizens on >> the ground to identify and report blooms, which is critical to keeping >> drinking water safe. Thank you to Governor Cuomo for his plan to reduce HABs >> and getting everyone on board to help solve this problem." >> >> Steven Neuhaus, Orange County Executive said, "By swiftly convening state >> agencies, local communities, and the nation's leading experts for a series >> of summits to address harmful algal blooms, Governor Cuomo is making a >> pledge to protect New York's water sources for generations to come. The >> upcoming HABs summits will help the state study what is causing blooms, >> educate us on how to control them, and reduce this emerging threat to >> communities across the state." >> >> George Borrello, Chautauqua County Executive said, "Harmful algal blooms are >> increasing in frequency and duration across New York State. Our focus must >> shift from treating the symptoms to treating the disease. Governor Cuomo >> recognizes that we must address the cause and determine how we can reduce >> this threat to our economy and the health and safety of our citizens and >> visitors. I thank the Governor for his leadership so that New York can rise >> to the challenge and make big investments in research and outreach to ensure >> clean and safe water for all." >> >> Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell said, "I am thankful that Governor >> Cuomo is addressing the harmful algae blooms issue that has affected lakes >> throughout the region, including three in Putnam County. This is a very >> important issue for the people who reside in these communities—not only for >> recreational purposes, but for drinking water quality. I am confident that >> New York State providing funding as well as a collaborative team of experts >> to ensure clean and safe water in the affected areas will make all the >> difference in the ability to combat the problem." >> >> Harry McManus, Chair of Clinton County Legislature said, "Governor Cuomo's >> $65 million 4-point initiative to aggressively combat harmful algal blooms >> in Upstate New York is a dynamic and aggressive plan to help our communities >> stay ahead of an emerging threat that endangers water quality for millions >> of New Yorkers. This first-of-its-kind program is a reflection of New York's >> national leadership in responding to threats to the environment and will >> help to implement new strategies to safeguard our waters for future >> generations. This is an example of the Governor's continuing commitment to >> put environmental issues at the forefront of his agenda. The people of >> Clinton County applaud this first step in the right direction." >> >> Randy Preston, Chairman, Essex County Board of Supervisors said, "Thank you >> Governor Cuomo for recognizing the critical importance of our lakes as vital >> water sources and economic engines which need to be protected. HABs are a >> direct threat statewide and we appreciate the Governor's leadership on this >> issue." >> >> Pat Mahunik Cayuga County Legislature Chairman said, "With today's >> announcement, New York is one step closer to understanding the threat of >> harmful algal blooms. Thanks to Governor Cuomo's enduring commitment to our >> environment, New York is leading national efforts with regional HABs summits >> that will bring together internationally recognized researchers and >> scientists and environmental experts with community leaders to develop >> innovative strategies to attack HABs in lakes across the state." >> >> Charles Sudbrink Cortland County Legislature Chairman said, "For the last >> several years, Upstate New York lakes have experienced harmful algal blooms >> with increasing frequency. These blooms have shut down beaches and >> threatened drinking water sources. Today's announcement marks a significant >> moment for Governor Cuomo's comprehensive plan to reduce this threat to our >> communities. By educating communities experiencing blooms, for the first >> time we can design plans to address the threat of HABs and thanks to the >> Governor, we have the resources to put those plans into action." >> >> Robert Shipley, Chairman of the Seneca County Board of Supervisors said, >> "HABs in Upstate New York threaten both sources of drinking water and the >> recreational use of lakes important to upstate tourism. The state's Water >> Quality Rapid Response Team is working with national experts and local >> stakeholders to collaboratively develop community-specific action plans and >> cutting-edge pilot projects, including new monitoring and treatment >> technologies. These summits will help inform and guide treatment and in >> turn, help waterbodies across the entire state." >> >> Jack Marren, Chairman Ontario County Board of Supervisors said, "Once again, >> Governor Cuomo is showing his commitment to protecting New York's >> environment for communities today and for future generations tomorrow. Under >> his leadership, the state continues to make significant investments to >> investigate the cause, nature, and extent of harmful algal blooms in order >> to jump start solutions to address this growing threat. Working together >> with state and national experts, New York will learn from communities >> first-hand and put what we learn into action plans to protect our waters." >> >> Ron Conover, Chairman, Warren County Board of Supervisors said, "The threat >> posed by HABs at affected lakes throughout the state is significant and >> requires action. I commend Governor Cuomo for his commitment to getting >> ahead of this issue to protect our lakes, our drinking water and our tourism >> economy." >> >> David LeFeber, Chairman, Livingston County Board of Supervisors said, "Thank >> you Governor Cuomo for his comprehensive plan to combat harmful algal blooms >> in Livingston County, and across the entire state. Today's announcement and >> the upcoming regional summits are the first steps in an ongoing effort to >> safeguard the state's drinking water while protecting the economic engine >> many of these bodies of water serve in our communities." >> >> Martha Robertson, Chair, Tompkins County Legislature said, "Protecting New >> York waterbodies for both recreational opportunities and drinking water >> quality has been a priority of local governments and Governor Cuomo's >> administration from the start. Our lakes cross municipal borders so we need >> the State's leadership, and the upcoming HABs summits will bring all parties >> together. New York, once again, has stepped up to the challenge with >> landmark funding and a dogged determination that will ensure clean and safe >> water for all New Yorkers." >> >> Doug Paddock, Chairman, Yates County Legislature said, "Harmful algal blooms >> impact many of New York's lakes, and extensive research is needed to fully >> understand what causes them. Through the state's Water Quality Rapid >> Response Team, Governor Cuomo continues to make significant investments to >> study these blooms. These summits will assemble leading national water >> quality experts together to devise lasting solutions to protect lakes to be >> studied and other important water bodies across the state." >> >> The four evening sessions will also be available live online >> <https://livestream.com/hvccstreaming/HABsSummits#_blank>. Please visit >> Livestream >> <https://help.livestream.com/hc/en-us/articles/209656508-How-Do-I-Watch-an-Event-on-Livestream-?flash_digest=c87b72ecb6be1ebdb13f7a739a1b808f33bb7d17#_blank> >> to learn the many ways in which these events can be watched in real time >> including a desktop browser, mobile browser, free livestream mobile app, and >> others. >> >> Governor Cuomo's Harmful Algal Blooms program builds on the State's $2.5 >> billion Clean Water Infrastructure Act investments in clean water >> infrastructure and water quality protection throughout New York State. The >> Harmful Algal Blooms initiative will be supported with funds from both the >> Clean Water Infrastructure Act and the Environmental Protection Fund. >> Through the Governor's leadership, New York has developed the most >> comprehensive Harmful Algal Blooms outreach and monitoring programs in the >> country, led by DEC sampling of ambient waters across the state and DOH >> sampling at regulated beaches and public water systems. >> >> ### >> >> >> >> Aimee Clinkhammer >> Watershed Coordinator, Finger Lakes Water Hub >> >> New York State Department of Environmental Conservation >> 615 Erie Boulevard West, Syracuse, NY 13204 >> P: (315) 426-7507 | F: (315) 426-7459 | aimee.clinkham...@dec.ny.gov >> <mailto:aimee.clinkham...@dec.ny.gov> >> www.dec.ny.gov <http://www.dec.ny.gov/> | <https://www.facebook.com/NYSDEC> >> | <https://twitter.com/NYSDEC> | <https://www.instagram.com/nysdec/> >>
For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ If you have questions about this list please contact the list manager, Tom Shelley, at t...@cornell.edu.
