WCDO Radio News

The State Department of Health announced a public meeting on the issuance of New York City's Filtration Avoidance determination. Locally a meeting will be held this evening at the Senator Charles Cook County Office Building in Delhi from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

After an extensive review of New York City’s 2007 Filtration Avoidance Determination, State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker announced that revisions to the document have been finalized.  The revisions will enhance NYC’s existing watershed protection plan and they respond to the significant flooding events in the Watershed by introducing new program elements that mitigate future flood hazards, protect lives and property while protecting water quality.  The revised document & the Health Department's responses to public comments on the draft may be viewed at health.ny.gov.

Congressman Gibson submitted comments to the State Department of Health regarding the draft midterm revisions to the New York City’s Filtration Avoidance Determination.   Gibson stated that the Land Acquisition Plan needs  to be decreased from $50 million to $20 million over the next 5 years.  Gibson also said that Reservoir levels should be maintained based on a scientific and technical review of NYC water needs, new infrastructure improvements, and an analysis of the risk facing Upstate communities. Contingency plans should also be put in place in the event of the potential of significant weather events.

Congressman Chris Gibson and his Watershed Advisory Group released a position overview on the State Health Department’s draft midterm revisions (http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/nycfad/) to the New York City Filtration Avoidance Determination. Gibson said that the current plan by the city to purchase land in the watershed region is unacceptable, with the money used for land purchases better suited for flood mitigation and upstate economic development.  Gibson also said that the reservoir should be set at levels that meet new York city’s drinking water needs without endangering watershed communities above & below dams, in order to prevent flooding.   The revisions were published by the DOH in late August, and are currently in a public comment period.

The State Health department announced revisions to the New York City water system's 2007 filtration avoidance determination have been drafted and will be released for public review and comment. Among the components are watershed protection programs in response to the devastation caused by hurricane Irene and tropical storm Lee in 2011. They include provisions for New York City to fund a local flood hazard mitigation program. It also includes an increased number of stream restoration projects.

The State Department of Health announced revisions to the New York City water system’s 2007 Filtration Avoidance Determination have been drafted and will be released for public review and comment. Among the components are watershed protection programs in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Irene and Lee in 2011. They include provisions for New York City to fund a local flood hazard mitigation program. It also includes an increased number of stream restoration projects.

Congressman Chris Gibson released a statement today in advance of the release of the New York City Filtration Avoidance Determination Review by the state Department of Health.   Gibson said that flood mitigation efforts must be a priority the severe flooding in recent years, in addition for the need of clean water for downstate residents.  The Filtration Avoidance was first issued in 1997; it allowed the city to avoid water filtration of their upstate reservoirs through stringent regulations.  A review of the agreement was due to be released last year; it has not yet been released for public input.   Local residents looking for more information can go to gibson.house.gov/watershed.

----------------------------------------JUSTIN PIS

The Chenango county sheriff’s department arrested 38-year-old Justin Pisanello of Greene Tuesday, for Harassment in the 2nd Degree.   Pisanello was charged following an altercation at Seeber’s Tavern in the Town of Smithville. He will appear in the Town of Smithville Court at a later date.