MakingWaves - Draft Conowingo WIP; Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference; Army Corps of Engineers Water Quality Certification

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sent this bulletin on 12/04/2020 11:00 AM EST
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MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

  • Reminder: Comments Requested on Draft Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan
  • Call for Abstracts for Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference 2021
  • DEC Seeking Comments for Army Corps of Engineers Water Quality Certification

Reminder: Comments Requested on Draft Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan

The Chesapeake Bay Program is soliciting comments on the draft Conowingo Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) (PDF). The Conowingo WIP was developed collaboratively by a steering committee consisting of representatives from the Chesapeake Bay Commission and each Chesapeake Bay watershed jurisdiction, including New York. The Conowingo Reservoir is located in the lower portion of the Susquehanna River basin.

WIPs are detailed strategies that outline actions to be taken to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollutants flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.

Submit comments and/or questions to the Center for Watershed Protection at CWIP@chesapeakebay.net by Monday, December 21, 2020. 

Call for Abstracts for Northeast Aquatic Biologists Conference 2021

The Northeast Aquatic Biologists (NAB) Conference will be held virtually March 3, 5, 9, and 11. The conference will provide a forum for the professional sharing of knowledge and collaboration among aquatic and environmental biologists in the Northeast. New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) is coordinating the conference in partnership with member states and EPA. 

The call for abstracts is open through January 6. Some of the suggested submission topics for virtual presentations and posters are:

  • Training sessions
  • Water quality impacts and COVID-19
  • Changes/developments in environmental law and policy
  • Traditional and innovative water quality monitoring
  • Chloride/road salt impacts
  • Cyanobacteria/harmful algal bloom monitoring and mitigation 

DEC Seeking Comments for Army Corps of Engineers Water Quality Certification 

DEC is reviewing a request from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for a Section 401 Water Quality Certification. The request pertains to the Corps' proposal to reissue and modify its Clean Water Act Section 404 Nationwide Permits. 

DEC is seeking comments on whether the certification decision should be modified in response to the Corps' current proposal to reissue and modify the Nationwide Permits. Specifically, DEC is considering an expansion of the scope of certified activities and retaining or expanding the scope of activities denied blanket certification. Comments must be sent in writing by December 10, 2020. View the November 25th Environmental Notice Bulletin for more information.