New York Governor George E. Pataki announced more than $5.8 million in grants for 60 water quality improvement projects throughout New York State that will help to reduce the amount of pollution in waterways and restore critical aquatic habitats.

“Our efforts to improve water quality in the Empire State are vital to ensuring that people have access to clean, healthy water and our pollution does not harm important aquatic habits,” Governor Pataki said. “These grants support local water quality improvement projects and will provide needed funding to restore, preserve, and protect our water resources. We are pleased to partner with local communities in this effort and will continue to provide assistance to promote beneficial projects.”

State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan, who today visited Monroe County to make an award presentation, said, “Governor Pataki and DEC look forward to providing ongoing support to efforts that control water pollution from all sources so that communities can protect and enhance New York’s natural resources. The grants announced today will help municipalities and other entities move forward with important water quality improvement projects and continue making strides in preserving our rivers, lakes and estuaries.”

Senator Joseph Robach said, “We must continue our efforts to improve water quality and protect the environment in our community and this is a tremendous step in the right direction. This grant from Governor Pataki will go a long way to accomplish that goal in Monroe County without impacting our local taxpayers.”

Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks said, “Once again, Governor Pataki has come through for the people of Monroe County. The grants announced today will support our county’s continuing efforts to prevent soil erosion, and reduce storm water discharge into Lake Ontario. I’d like to thank Governor Pataki and Commissioner Sheehan for their continued support of Monroe County’s efforts to protect our natural resources.”

A total of $2,931,644 will be awarded to 34 municipalities and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) through the State’s Nonagricultural Nonpoint Source Abatement and Control Program. These grants will assist with projects to reduce water pollution from runoff sources other than agriculture. Storm water runoff is a major source of our water pollution in New York since it carries soil, animal waste, automotive fluids, and other contaminants into our waterways.

In addition, 26 projects are being funded with a total of $2,903,876 to help municipalities comply with the State’s implementation of the federal Clean Water Act’s Phase II storm water controls. The projects will help 253 municipalities in 19 counties protect water quality by implementing measures to limit storm water runoff and control pollutants from runoff. Previous grants for communities working on Phase II storm water management programs totaled more than $5.8 million.

The Phase II storm water program requires approximately 450 communities across the State to obtain permit coverage of their Municipal Separate Storm Sewers Systems (MS4) to reduce storm water discharges into waterways. A municipal separate storm sewer system is a conveyance or system of conveyances that could include roads with drainage systems, municipal streets, catch basins, curbs, gutters, ditches, man-made channels, or storm drains that move water and discharge it into streams, rivers, and lakes. Under the Phase II storm water program, regulated MS4s are to develop and implement a Storm Water Management Program by January of 2008. By providing these grants to municipalities, New York will help these communities achieve Phase II compliance by this deadline.

Since 1995, New York State has committed $62.3 million from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) for nonpoint source abatement and control projects. This includes more than $27 million in non-agricultural nonpoint source abatement and control projects. New York also has committed approximately $9.7 billion in grants and loans through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, the 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, and the EPF for projects that protect and enhance water quality.

Source: PR