The Always Creating Excellence (ACE) program recognizes New York City Department of Environmental Protection staff members that have exhibited outstanding effort, and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the people of New York City.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has unveiled a preliminary 10-Year Capital Strategy for fiscal years 2018-2027, which will include investments in wastewater treatment, drinking water supply and distribution, and sewers. The Out of the Archives feature highlights panoramic historic photography of the construction of Olive Bridge Dam and the Ashokan Reservoir in the early 1900s.
Work has begun on a $34 million project to dredge portions of Flushing Bay, to be followed by enhancements to existing wetlands. Potentially hazardous trees are being removed along a stretch of Route 28 in Shokan in order to protect utility lines and public safety, as well as promote natural growth of the next generation of forests. An additional 2,640 acres of New York City property in Delaware, Greene, and Ulster counties were opened for recreation in 2016. Construction continues on the Gilboa Dam release tunnel, which will bring the dam into compliance with modern safety standards.
Following upgrades at four wastewater treatment plants at a total investment of $1 billion, the volume of nitrogen being discharged into the Upper East River has been reduced by more than 60 percent. Radar devices are being installed in the Catskill Mountains to measure snow and more accurately predict how runoff will affect the subsequent year's conditions in watershed reservoirs. Under-ice water quality monitoring buoys have been installed for the fourth year running in Ashokan Reservoir. 19 new officers have graduated from the Staff Sgt. Robert H. Dietz DEP Police Academy in Kingston, New York.
In 2016, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)'s accomplishments included the activation of the new water delivery tunnel to Staten Island, continued work on the Rondout-West Branch Bypass Tunnel, and the installation of an oyster bed in Jamaica Bay. Watershed maintainers in the Bureau of Water Supply have received additional training on climbing and trimming trees. A composting program has been launched at the DEP's Lefrak City headquarters.
City, state and local representatives were on site at the Schoharie Reservoir to view a tunneling machine that will begin work soon as part of a $400 million project to construct a modern release works for the reservoir. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been presented with a special recognition by the Public Design Commission for its thoughtful design of green infrastructure in the watershed to help protect the city's water supply. The DEP is hosting a wetlands exploration event at Ashokan Reservoir on May 26 in celebration of American Wetlands Month. Free rain barrels have been distributed to almost 100 homeowners in the Bronx as part of the agency's rain barrel giveaway program.
The Always Creating Excellence (ACE) program recognizes New York City Department of Environmental Protection staff members that have exhibited outstanding effort, and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the people of New York City.
New York City has committed $1.7 billion toward a comprehensive drainage system for southeast Queens currently under development by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Thanks are extended to DEP employees who worked critical jobs through the holidays. The DEP's involvement in blood donation through the New York Blood Center has reached a milestone with its 23,000th donor.
Holiday greetings from Acting Commissioner Vincent Sapienza. Thanks are extended to those who participated in holiday toy drives in New York City and upstate. The Department of Environmental Protection is assisting students at DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx in creating a stormwater swale with recycled porcelain. Work is finished on a $7 million project to replace two bridges at the upper end of Rondout Reservoir in Sullivan County.
The Bureau of Engineering Design and Construction (BEDC) of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has unveiled a reorganization plan that reflects the absorption of new functions and developments. Hazardous trees around the J. Waldo Smith Monument near Ashokan Reservoir will be removed to allow for the creation of a public lawn. The DEP is preparing a $10 million sewer upgrade project along 9th Street in the Gowanus and Carroll Gardens neighborhoods of Brooklyn.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has lauched its On-Site Water Reuse Grant Program, which is intended to provide commercial, mixed-use, and multi-family residential property owners with incentives to install water reuse systems. Grants will range from $250,000 to $500,000 dollars; sites with 100,000 or more square feet of space or those which share water between two or more parcels will be eligible. Work has started on a $7.4 million project to refurbish the former Ben Nesin Laboratory building in the Ashokan Complex. 210 people attended a limited access recreation event at Jerome Park Reservoir in the Bronx.
Energy edition. The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has implemented several successful projects to reduce its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and is planning new projects such as the installation of a solar array at the Port Richmond Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). DEP and the Department of Citywide Adminsistrative Services (DCAS) co-advertised a Request for Information (RFI) to help develop the City's solar policies. The food waste co-digestion demonstration project at Newtown Creek WWTP, in partnership with Waste Management, was put into operation this summer.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection has distributed a record 11,111 rain barrels to homeowners, which when applied to outdoor uses can save up to 40 percent of an average household's water use and lower monthly bills. A whale recently spotted in New York Harbor is an indication of improvements to the health of waterways in the region. Mayor Bill de Blasio and the Public Design Commission awarded an annual Award for Excellence in Design to the Waterfront Nature Walk at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection's recreational boating program enabled 1,668 boats to be taken onto reservoirs, an increase of 14 percent from the previous year. The Marine Operations division was presented with a portal window from the decommissioned M/V Newtown Creek sludge boat, which was sunk off Pompano Beach, Florida. Around 50 educators participated in a watershed tour and learned about water supply, forestry and streams.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection and other city representatives celebrate the installation of green infrastructure in the Gowanus Canal watershed. The first batch of steel liners for the Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Tunnel have arrived in preparation for installation. Work will begin this month on a $100 million infrastructure upgrade project in the South Beach neighborhood of Staten Island.
The Staten Island Siphon was activated in a ceremony with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo. This new water conduit replaces the original siphons laid across New York Harbor, which will be removed to allow for dredging operations. The DEP has started its annual holiday food drives at both its headquarters and upstate facilities. 750 agency employees were recognized at the 32nd annual employee recognition day at the headquarters of the DC 37 union.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched a new partnership with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to construct green infrastructure elements at several of the latter's facilities. The headframe over the Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Tunnel shaft has been erected. 264 volunteers participated in this year's Reservoir Cleanup Day.
The Always Creating Excellence (ACE) program recognizes New York City Department of Environmental Protection staff members that have exhibited outstanding effort, and have gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve the people of New York City.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in partnership with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), has begun work on a $132 million sewer and water infrastructure upgrade in College Point, Queens. A remote operated vehicle was launched to inspect a portion of the Catskill Aqueduct near Rondout Creek in Ulster County. Paul Lenz, who oversees watershed recreation and City-owned watershed properties for the DEP, has been honored as Conservationist of the Year by the New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC).
24 employees of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection were included in research presented at the annual New York Water Environmental Association (NYWEA) Watershed Science and Technical Conference. The first batch of 21 steel liners for reinforcement of the Delaware Aqueduct Bypass Tunnel have departed Louisiana for Newburgh, New York.Two teams from the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment participated in the Water Environment Federation's annual Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC).