Enviro Lawyers assert ‘rights of nature’ in PA wastewater suit
itEllen M. Gilmer, E&E reporter
Published: Thursday, November 20, 2014
A federal court battle over a Pennsylvania township’s ban on wastewater injection wells took an unusual turn this week as environmental lawyers filed a motion to intervene on behalf of, well, the environment.
WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants for FY 2015
Agency: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, Policy and Administration
Due: January 14, 2015
Award Date: June 2015
Eligible Applicants:
· States
· Indian Tribes
· Irrigation Districts
· Other organizations with water or power delivery authority located in the western United States or United States Territories as identified in the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902, as amended
Cost Share: At least 50% (may include in-kind donations)
Dunkirk Training Session Canceled Due to Weather
NYRWA regrets the need to cancel the scheduled Dunkirk Training Session scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2014, due to weather predictions for additional snow. Our office staff are calling all registered attendees to inform them of this cancellation and we plan to reschedule this session in the Spring 2015. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. All of those paid registrations will be promptly reimbursed. Thank you for your cooperation and please stay safe out on the roads.
Gov Cuomo Announces $13.6 Million for Bergen Point Sewage Treatment Plant Storm Resiliency Project
Suffolk County Project is the First to Receive Funding under New York State’s Storm Mitigation Loan Program
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that Suffolk County will receive the first loan from New York State’s Storm Mitigation Loan Program for $13.6 million in wastewater and storm resiliency improvements at the Bergen Point Sewage Treatment Plant in Suffolk County. The loan is made up of a $3.2 million grant and $10.4 million in no-interest financing for Suffolk County, which was approved today by the Environmental Facilities Corporation’s Board of Directors.
Governor Cuomo Announces Strategic Fuel Reserve in Upstate New York to Help Prepare for Future Severe Storms, Possible Fuel Emergencies
Strategic Fuel Reserves in Rensselaer, Brewerton, Rochester, Marcy, Vestal and Buffalo will Ensure Availability of Gasoline and Diesel Fuels to First Responders if Supply is Disrupted
October 29, 2014
SPRTK Update – NY Alert Applications Due by December 1, 2014
NYSDEC recently mailed out NY-Alert applications and notifier agreements to all POTW’s. In an effort to make a smooth transition into the NY-Alert system for reporting overflows, NYSDEC is requesting the applications and agreements be filled out, signed and submitted by December 1st, 2014. Even if you have never had to report an overflow, you are still required to submit the application and agreement.
A Long Time Friend and Member Remembered Harry Balz from ALHA Community
It is with deep sadness that we inform you that our long time member and friend from the Adirondack Lodges Homeowners Association Harry Balz passed away earlier today, November 5, 2014, following a brief hospitalization. Harry was always present at our Annual Conference and training events with a warm smile, kind words and very supportive of this organization and the industry. Our deepest sympathies to Harry’s wife Elaine and the other members of their family.
EBOLA In Wastewater Update
On 11/4/14 NYRWA participated in a webinar on EBOLA. Here are notes from this event. The short version is if you can take enough precautions for the aids virus, you are covered for EBOLA.
The CDC (Matt Arduino) says they have little to no research on this for wastewater.
1. This virus is a “negative sense RNA virus” or an “envelope virus” – so is the aids virus.
2. Envelope virus is the easiest to kill as compared with others like hep-C
3. Incubation period in host is 2-21 days only direct contact after symptoms show, can it be transmitted.
SEWAGE POLLUTION RIGHT TO KNOW UPDATE
SEWAGE POLLUTION RIGHT TO KNOW UPDATE:
POTWs and POSSs Apply to Use the NY-Alert System
To assist in complying with the law, DEC has worked with the NYS Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services to modify the NY-Alert system to accommodate reporting sewage releases and distribution of this information to the public. The principal executive officer or ranking elected officer for publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) is required to: