MakingWaves - News From the Division of Water

In This Issue:

• Consent Decree to Advance Navy-Grumman Groundwater Plume Cleanup Plan
• Public Information Session Announced for the Bay Park Conveyance Project
• Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Notifications

Consent Decree to Advance Navy-Grumman Groundwater Plume Cleanup Plan

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos has announced the release for public comment, the proposed Consent Decree between DEC and Northrop Grumman. The proposal formalizes the agreement to clean up the groundwater plume associated with the Northrop Grumman Bethpage Facility and Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant sites in the town of Oyster Bay in Bethpage, Nassau County. The Consent Decree requires Northrop Grumman to drill and operate wells to contain and clean up the groundwater plume and pay more than $60 million to DEC and affected water districts. The proposed Consent Decree also further protects the water districts by providing for their ability to bring additional claims to collect damages from Northrup Grumman and the U.S. Navy.

DEC is accepting comments until Oct. 22, 2021. Find details about how to comment on the proposed Consent Decree in the September 22nd Environmental Notice Bulletin. 

Public Information Session Announced for the Bay Park Conveyance Project

DEC and the Nassau County Department of Public Works will host a virtual public information session for the Bay Park Conveyance Project on Thursday, Oct. 7, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom Webinar. Western Bays Constructors, the design-build contractor, will provide information on upcoming construction activities and answer questions.

The project aims to reduce nitrogen in the Western Bays of Long Island by conveying treated effluent from the South Shore Water Reclamation Facility (previously known as the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant) to the Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant’s ocean outfall pipe. With treated effluent no longer discharged into the Western Bays, nearby communities will benefit from improved water quality in the Western Bays, revitalized shellfish habitat, and restored marshlands that protect communities from wave action and coastal surge.

Visit the Bay Park Conveyance Project website for project details and meeting information.

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

Consider visiting a healthcare provider if you, your family, or your animals are experiencing symptoms related to blue-green harmful algal blooms. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; skin, eye, or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.