The Department of Environmental Protection proposes a 2.1% increase in the Fiscal Year 2017 water rate, which is the lowest figure in the past 16 years. Twenty-two reservoirs and lakes were opened for this year's watershed recreation season on April 1. A $48 million water and sewer upgrade project in the Great Kills and Eltingville neighborhoods of Staten Island is currently underway.
The Department of Environmental Protection has been distributing rain barrels to community homeowners in partnership with local elected officials. Water collected in these 60-gallon barrels can be used for gardening and other outdoor purposes and thereby reduce personal water bills. The Gilboa Dam rehabilitation project received a major award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York. The DEP announces that it will begin applying natural herbicides along roads in upstate watersheds.
New York City will end rental payments from the New York City Water Board, for an estimated 7 percent in savings for each customer on water and sewer bills through fiscal year 2017. In addition, a one-time $183 credit is being distributed to about 664,000 customers. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Emily Lloyd and Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams announce the launch of the Adopt-A-Catch Basin pilot program, which will involve local communities in helping to keep storm drains clear of debris.
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.
In April, the Department of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Wastewater Treatment (BWT) held its 29th annual Operations Challenge at the Jamaica Wastewater Treatment Plant. With the onset of spring Green Infrastructure maintenance crews from the Bureau of Water and Sewer Operations (BWSO) are adding new plantings to New York City bioswales. The first WebEX-enabled brown bag session was performed by the Bureau of Organizational Development and Human Resources (OD&HR) in collaboration with the Office of Information Technology (OIT).
The Department of Environmental Protection's Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Executive Budget was presented on May 9. This budget also outlines the Four-Year Capital Plan, which includes major projects such as the ongoing construction of City Tunnel 3 and reconstruction of the mechanical elements of the lower Catskill Aqueduct, as well as ongoing investments in wastewater treatment, sewers, and drinking water supply. The DEP will host an educational walk in Westchester County on May 15 to celebrate American Wetlands Month.
A workshop will be held on May 25th at Civic Hall in Manhattan on the Department of Environmental Protection's Grant Program, which offers the chance for private property owners to obtain funding for green infrastructure improvements on their properties. The DEP and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation led students on an annual eel count at the Richmond Creek Bluebelt in Staten Island. DEP Police are performing boater safety workshops on watershed reservoirs.
The 30th annual Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest, held at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, hosted a record-breaking 1,800 participants from schools in New York City and Watershed communities. New York City bans the use of hands-free phones for all operators of city vehicles apart from emergency personnel. The Gilboa Dam rehabilitation project has earned its third major award, for engineering excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).
Students at Highland Middle School in Ulster County received a demonstration by the DEP Police Aviation Unit, including a helicopter landing and question-and-answer session. Pam Elardo, P.E., has been appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment (BWT). Several BWT employees competed in the New Jersey Water Environmental Association (NJWEA) Spring Fling Operations Challenge 2016. The Department of Environmental Protection is hosting blood drives at several locations to help offset supply shortages at the New York Blood Center.
Several thousand curbside gardens are being installed across the city as part of the Department of Environmental Protection's Green Infrastructure Plan, in cooperation with the Department of Design and Construction, the Economic Development Corporation and the Parks Department. Odor control upgrades have been completed on the Bowery Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant. Two Family Fishing Day evnts will be held at the Ashokan and Cannonsville Reservoirs, on June 12 and June 18th respectively.
The Department of Environmental Protection assisted in banding ten peregrine falcon chicks nesting on Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bridges. The DEP's summer internship program is underway, and provides future professionals with experiences across the agency's bureaus and activities. Two teams from the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment (BWT) competed successfully at the Operations Challenge 2016 in Mystic, Connecticut, and will go on to a national competition in New Orleans.
Construction has begun on upgrades to water and sewer infrastructure in Glen Oaks, Queens, that will mitigate chronic flooding conditions. The 2016 Water-On-The-Go Program has launched with portable drinking fountains around the city to promote the quality of its supply and encourage residents to forgo bottled water and sugary drinks. A project is underway to replace the Sugarloaf Bridge and Lows Corners Bridge at the headwaters of the Rondout Reservoir.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is partnering with The Trust for Public Land to construct green playgrounds at New York City public schools, which benefit the health of students as well as surrounding waterways. Three veteran DEP Police officers were promoted during a ceremony at the Eastview Precinct in Valhalla, New York. The DEP has released an interactive mapping tool showing recreational opportunities in its upstate watersheds.
Fiscal year annual update to New York City Department of Environmental Protection recycling plan, produced in compliance with Local Law 36, governing waste prevention, reuse and recycling by City agencies.
Vincent Sapienza has been appointed Acting Commissioner of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection following Commissioner Emily Lloyd's retirement. Over 40 educators participated in a watershed tour to learn about the community forestry, agricultural, and stream programs connected to the water supply system. A $22 million sewer upgrade project will break ground in Middle Village, Queens, this month. 842 stormwater-intercepting rain gardens have been constructed in Ocean Hill and Brownsville, Brooklyn.
31 recent graduates of a mandatory five-week orientation program have been inducted as sewage treatment workers at the Department of Environmental Protection. Three coworkers from the Bureau of Water Supply summitted Mount Adams and attempted an ascent of Mount Rainier in Washington. Geological borings are being conducted at Schoharie Reservoir to prepare for the release works being constructed there.
The Use and Standards Attainment Project being conducted by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection aims to define specific and comprehensive long-term beneficial use goals for each waterbody; develop the support needed to attain these goals; and provide additional support to the regulatory process needed to define water quality standards.
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection's 2016 Hydrant Education Action Team (HEAT) Program employs teams of teens to inform New Yorkers about the dangers of illegally opening fire hydrants. The Catskill Mountain Club and the DEP are hosting a community hike to celebrate the opening of a new public trail on Bramley Mountain in Delaware County. The DEP and the Department of Design and Construction have begun a $46 million water delivery and sewer infrastructure upgrade along Southern Boulevard in the borough of the Bronx. A new partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) seeks to expand the City's Green Infrastructure 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.
The Department of Environmental Protection is performing a $50 million project to replace inefficient bathroom fixtures in New York City public schools. Porcelain from the old fixtures is being recycled in the rain gardens currently being constructed under the Green Infrastructure program. DEP employees joined members of community groups for a canoe ride in Newtown Creek, which is under planned environmental remediation. A new boat launch site on Pepacton Reservoir is attracting paddlers from Downsville, Roscoe and others.
New York City tap water was awarded the top prize in this year's Regional Metro Tap Water Taste Test competition. The recently launched Clean Streets = Clean Beaches campaign aims to inform the public and help clean litter that will improve the health and aesthetics of area beaches. The Croton Water Filtration Plant was awarded the Distinction Award during the 2016 Global Water Awards. The Department of Environmental Protection, along with the Department of Transportation and Department of Design and Construction, began installation of a $41.5 million sewer and water main upgrade project in Ozone Park, Queens.