New York State Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced a series of aggressive water quality initiatives to protect both the public health and the environment In a February 18 event at Stony Brook University.
The Governor is creating a Statewide Water Quality Rapid Response Team charged with identifying and developing plans to swiftly address critical drinking water contamination concerns, as well as related groundwater and surface water contamination problems. The Governor is also proposing statewide regulations in the coming days to regulate mulch processing facilities to strengthen oversight and safeguard natural resources.
In addition to these statewide actions, the Governor announced today that the state has begun testing samples from the Northrop Grumman plume on Long Island. The state will also partner with the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct a comprehensive ground water survey to ensure Long Island’s drinking water is protected and properly managed.
“Every New Yorker has a fundamental right to clean and safe drinking water,” said Governor Cuomo. “Water is a priceless resource that requires the highest levels of protection, and I am proud to continue this administration’s legacy of standing up for the environment. We are taking aggressive and proactive steps to ensure clean and healthy communities throughout the state – both for current residents and for generations to come.”
In order to further protect the groundwater resources on Long Island, the Governor will direct $6 million to study the effective management of this finite resource. The study, which will be done in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey and Nassau and Suffolk Counties, will examine saltwater intrusion, surface water impacts, contaminant transport and sustainable yield. The result will be a groundwater flow model, the international standard for understanding and managing groundwater impacts.
“Creating an agenda to safeguard the quality of Long Island’s water source is great news – not only for the health of New Yorkers – but for the environment as well,” Assemblyman Steve Englebright said.
Governor Cuomo Announces Actions to Improve Water Quality Statewide
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