New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has reauthorized the city's tax and water/sewer lien sale program for four years, a critical enforcement tool that helps cover operational expenses and keeps rates as low as possible. Dredging has begun that will remove 91,000 cubic yards of sediment near the World's Fair Marina in Queens. The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) has bestowed the Envision Silver Award on the ongoing $48 million expansion of the Staten Island Bluebelt system.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection newsletter for the recreational users who enjoy the lands and waters of the New York City water supply.
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.