MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

• Reminder: Cutoff Date for Fertilizing Lawns is December 1
• DEC Awards Mohawk River Watershed Grants
• Introducing the Drinking Water Source Protection Program Newsletter
• Warm Weather in November Leads to Late Season HABs
• DEC's 50th Anniversary Exhibit at Hudson River Maritime Museum

Reminder: Cutoff Date for Fertilizing Lawns is December 1

If you plan to fertilize your lawn this fall, remember that it is against New York State law to fertilize lawns between December 1 and April 1. Some areas also have local laws about selling and using lawn fertilizers.

Visit DEC’s Lawn Fertilizer webpage for more information. The law does not apply to agricultural fertilizer or fertilizer for gardens.

Choose a lawn fertilizer with no phosphorus.

Lawn fertilizer can have unnecessary phosphorus that runs into waterbodies. Excess phosphorus in freshwater lakes and ponds can cause algae overgrowth, with serious impacts to the environment and public health.

DEC Awards Mohawk River Watershed Grants

DEC has announced funding for seven projects throughout the Mohawk River watershed that will help reduce flood risks and bolster resiliency, improve stewardship and stakeholder engagement, and protect fish, wildlife, and associated aquatic and riparian habitats in the watershed. The grants, supported by the State's Environmental Protection Fund, were issued in keeping with the goals and objectives of the Mohawk River Basin Action Agenda. 

Introducing the Drinking Water Source Protection Program Newsletter

As part of New York's Drinking Water Source Protection Program (DWSP2), DEC is launching a monthly e-newsletter to provide information about a variety of subjects related to protecting New York's drinking water sources. Newsletter topics will include DWSP2 program updates, resources available, potential funding sources, implementation projects, and more. Sign up for the DWSP2 newsletter to stay informed on this topic. 

Warm Weather in November Leads to Late Season HABs

DEC received several Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) reports in the first few days of November this year after record breaking warmth and sunny days.

HAB occurrences are rare this time of year. However, HABs may still occur on waterbodies throughout the fall and possibly winter, so continue to:

Know it. Avoid it. Report it.

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

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

DEC's 50th Anniversary Exhibit at Hudson River Maritime Museum

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of DEC, signed into law by Governor Rockefeller on the first Earth Day in 1970. In honor of this anniversary, the Hudson River Maritime Museum is showcasing an exhibit highlighting DEC’s five decades of nation-leading environmental policy and natural resource protection.

The Hudson River Maritime Museum, located in Kingston, NY, is open to the public 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The museum adheres to a COVID-19 safety protocol.