MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

• Five Regions Now on State Drought Watch List
• Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notifications
• Plastic Bag Ban Enforcement Starts October 19, 2020

Five Regions Now on State Drought Watch List 

Map of New York State Drought Conditions Available 

DEC announced this week that the State has expanded its Drought Watch to the Southern Tier drought region, which includes Cattaraugus, Alleghany, Steuben, and Chemung counties. A Drought Watch issued by DEC in July remains in effect for Long Island, Upper Hudson/Mohawk, Adirondacks, and Great Lakes/St. Lawrence regions. The drought watch status for these regions was issued after consulting with experts from the State Drought Management Task Force. 

A drought watch or warning is triggered by the State Drought Index, which reflects precipitation levels, reservoir/lake levels, and streamflow and groundwater levels in nine designated drought regions throughout New York. For more detailed drought information, visit DEC's drought webpage.

A watch is the first of four levels of state drought advisories (“watch,” “warning,” “emergency” and “disaster”). There are no statewide mandatory water use restrictions in place under a drought watch. However, local public water suppliers may require such measures depending upon local needs and conditions. Visit DEC’s Saving Water Makes Good Sense webpage for conservation tips that homeowners can take to voluntarily reduce their water usage.

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notifications

Visit NYHABS, DEC’s harmful algal bloom notification map, to view locations of freshwater HABs in New York State that were reported in the past two weeks. Click on a dot for more information, including the date it was reported, the waterbody name, and pictures. Click on the arrow at the bottom of the screen to view a list of reported HABs.

Know it. Avoid it. Report it.

If you see a HAB, please use the reporting form to submit a report to NYHABS.  

Because waterbodies may have HABs that have not been reported to DEC, we recommend avoiding contact with floating mats, scums, and discolored water.

If you, your family, or pet have been in contact with a HAB, please rinse with clean water and report any symptoms to your local health department.

DEC Announces Enforcement of New York's Plastic Bag Ban to Start Oct. 19, 2020

DEC will begin enforcement of the State’s ban on single-use plastic carryout bags on Oct. 19, 2020. The plastic bag ban, which went into effect on March 1, was not enforced per an agreement between the parties in a lawsuit brought by Poly-Pak Industries, Inc., et al, in New York State Supreme Court.

Pursuant to an Order of the New York State Supreme Court, Albany County, DEC agreed to provide the parties and the Court at least 30 days' notice prior to commencing enforcement. DEC is currently conducting extensive outreach to stakeholders, including grocery stores, retailers, and others, to provide notice of the start of enforcement and answer questions.

DEC continues to encourage New Yorkers to use reusable bags wherever and whenever they shop with the #BYOBagNY campaign, launched earlier this year. Additional information about exemptions to the plastic bag ban, frequently asked questions, and posters, flyers, and tip strips to download, as well as tips for keeping reusable bags clean are available on DEC's website.

For more information about the plastic bag ban, reusable bags, or to file a complaint about entities using single-use plastic carryout bags, visit DEC’s website, email plasticbags@dec.ny.gov, or call (518) 402-8706.