Legislation Proposed to Expand Free Fishing Clinics in New York

Bill Would Allow More New Yorkers to Be Introduced to Fishing

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today proposed legislation to expand the opportunity for free fishing clinics in New York State, allowing more New Yorkers to experience fishing for the first time by enabling the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to increase the number of free clinics that can be held throughout the state.

"New York State's waterways provide some of the best fishing opportunities in the nation, and these additional free fishing clinics are designed to get more New Yorkers hooked on fishing which will help the local economies," stated Governor Cuomo.

The DEC conducts fishing clinics to help introduce individuals and families to recreational angling. Under current law, only four free sport fishing clinics may be held annually in each of DEC's nine regions and DEC employees must provide at least part of the instruction at the events. 

Participants are not required to have a fishing license in order to attend these clinics. By allowing additional free sport fishing clinics, the Governor's proposal is designed to promote participation in recreational angling across New York State. 

Many local sporting federations and recreational groups run similar fishing clinics and enabling these groups to administer free clinics with DEC guidelines will benefit all New Yorkers who may be interested in fishing and enjoying the outdoors. 

Governor Cuomo's proposal seeks to expand the number of free clinics that may be conducted annually by increasing the number of clinics that DEC can hold as well as allowing other entities to conduct such clinics with DEC authorization.

The Governor's proposal also ensures that, if the clinic is held in the marine district, participants would not be required to sign up for the recreational marine fishing registration.

The Governor's proposal also allows organizations designated by DEC to conduct free sport fishing clinics. Currently, only DEC staff is authorized to provide these clinics. DEC would establish guidelines for other organizations to conduct clinics. 

DEC Commissioner Joe Martens stated, "DEC's free fishing clinics are wildly popular across the state and provide an excellent opportunity for young and old alike to enjoy the great outdoors. It's the perfect chance for those wanting to try fishing to see if it's an activity they would like to make into a hobby."

New York's sport fishing industry generates an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity annually, supporting nearly 17,000 jobs.

Image courtesy of http://www.clipartheaven.com

Addabbo Joins Effort to Suspend Issuance of Hydrofracking Permits

Senator Deeply Concerned About "Fracking's" Impact on Environment and Public Health

Queens, NY - In an effort to ensure that the State Legislature and other interested parties receive all of the information they need to determine the ultimate pros and cons of hydraulic fracturing, Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) has given his support to legislation (S.6261) that would suspend the issuance of new permits for this form of natural gas drilling in New York State until June 2013.

“Like many, many others, I am deeply concerned about the potential negative impact of ‘hydrofracking’ on New York’s environment, water supply, and public health,” said Addabbo, who has long expressed reservations about the controversial process.

“Yes, we need to reduce our reliance on foreign oil, but at what cost to current and future generations? We need to know everything there is to know about hydraulic fracturing before we make any irreversible decisions on whether to go forward with this kind of suspect gas extraction.”

As a co-sponsor of this new bipartisan bill, Addabbo expects that the suspension of permits for hydraulic fracturing until next year will enable the Legislature to evaluate the true environmental impacts of the drilling, and will also provide adequate time for review of the Draft Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DSGEIS) on hydrofracking to be produced by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). 

“Enacting a moratorium on new hydrofracking permits is simply a wise step to prevent New York State from rushing heedlessly into a process that could have highly damaging effects on our environment and our lives here in New York State,” said the Senator.

“Let’s allow some time to digest and evaluate the information on fracking before we take any kind of action that could very well compromise our overall water supply. We shouldn’t ‘frack’ without the facts.”

The legislation is now under consideration by the Senate Committee on Environmental Conservation.

Photo courtesy of the following website: http://www.dcbureau.org.

Addabbo: 'I Respectfully Request That Governor Cuomo, DEC and Elected Officials Listen and Pay Attention'

New York State Senator Gravely Concerned About Hydraulic Fracturing

Queens, NY -- With our state on the cusp of venturing into uncharted territory with a natural gas drilling technique known as high-volume hydraulic fracturing – also commonly referred to as “hydrofracking” – Governor Andrew Cuomo, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and elected officials need to be well-versed and prepared for the serious ramifications our environment may encounter, and possible changes to our way of life, should hydrofracking fluids contaminate our water supply.

I applaud the DEC’s efforts to host and consider testimony through public hearings in reference to the significant issue of hydrofracking.

Unfortunately, my schedule does not permit me to physically be at the hearings, but I eagerly submit this statement to testify against the process of drilling for natural gas through hydrofracking methods. While I am not opposed to other processes of drilling for natural gas, I am concerned about the mixture of chemicals being used to extract this gas from rock formations using the hydrofracking method.

I do not want Nitrilopropionamide Glycol Ethers, Butoxyethanol, Isothiazolin, Hemicellulase Enzyme, Hydrochloric Acid, Acetic Acid, Alphatic Acid Isopropanol, Alphatic Alcohol Polyglycol Ether Isopropyl Alcohol, Ammonia Persulfate Magnesium Nitrate, Aromatic Hydrocarbon Mesh Sand, Aromatic Ketones Methanol, Boric Acid Mineral Spirits, Boric Oxide Monoethanolamine, Citric Acid Petroleum Distillates, Cristobalite Polyethoxylated Alkanol, Quartz Polyethoxylated Alkanol, Dazomet Polyethylene Glycol Mixture, Diatomaceus Earth Polysaccharide, Ethane-diol Potassium Hydroxide, Ethoxlated Alcohol, Ethoxylated Alcohol Propan, Ethoxylated Octylphenol Propargyl Alcohol, Ethylene Glycol Propylene, Ethylhexanol Sodium Bicarbonate, Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate Sodium Chloride, Formaldehyde Sodium Hydroxide, Glutaraldehyde Sucrose, Tetramethylammonium Chloride, or any of the other foreign items found in hydrofracking anywhere near our state’s water supply.

The interchangeable mix of water, sand and hazardous chemicals being used to break up the rock base can contaminate our water supply, a supply that encompasses more than 15 billion gallons of daily water taken from New York State’s lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries and groundwaters.

As evident in neighboring states, the process to extract natural gas is flawed and requires extensive guidance from the DEC and from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I perceive the concept to drill as soon as possible in New York State is being done in haste when protests and valid testimony are being presented on a daily basis.

Natural gas drilling companies and supporters of this practice have so much to gain from enlisting further input from protestors and impacted individuals from neighboring states where evaluations of methods and testimony can produce alternative environmentally sound drilling techniques.

I have taken instrumental steps at the New York State Senate to advocate for legislation that would allow for New York State to issue permits to natural gas drilling companies only after the EPA has released their comments and guidelines regarding such drilling activity.

In addition, should the State venture on commencing drilling prior to the EPA report, I had introduced legislation where radioactivity in drilling waste would need to be treated before being accepted or discharged by any permit holder. Federal studies have indicated consumed radioactive waste, whether by drinking or eating, can cause cancer and other health problems.

Reports have stated that approximately 40 percent of Pennsylvania’s water is contaminated with the fluids found in the hydrofracking drilling done in that state. Currently, New York State’s treatment plants are not equipped to remove such carcinogens from the chemicals contained within hydrofracking fluids. Therefore, it is my belief that there is no rational reason for New York State to proceed with issuing permits for a harmful procedure. Our state cannot seek to create upstate jobs, but at the same time create a long-term, harmful condition for people throughout the state.

I respectfully request that Governor Cuomo, DEC and elected officials listen and pay attention to the adverse risks known to be present in the hydraulic fracturing techniques. Unless the process is addressed in a way where our water supply is, with absolute certainty, not susceptible to contamination, that our land is free from toxic chemicals, and our quality of life is not disrupted from frivolous neglectful actions, I then wholeheartedly urge the State to proceed with caution. I believe that if any doubt as to the safety of the hydrofracking process exists, we should not proceed to issue any permits.

It is my intent to continue fighting against this natural gas drilling process until all negative aspects are addressed and resolved. Thank you for the opportunity to express my position regarding this important environmental and safety issue.

Photo source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/158242
Author: Matthew Bowden www.digitallyrefreshing.com
Permission: the Wikimedia OTRS system

Loan Program to Help Local Governments Rebuild After Severe Storms

HELP Loans Will Provide Expedited Assistance to Municipalities Coping with Damaged Water and Waste-Water Treatment Systems

The Cuomo Administration has launched a new emergency loan program for local governments to help finance immediate repairs to drinking water and waste-water treatment facilities in communities damaged by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.

The Hurricane Emergency Loan Program (HELP) would provide up to $1 million in no-interest loans for critical assessment and repair to damaged drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities. Repairs to pump stations, electrical equipment, treatment facilities and other critical equipment are eligible along with temporary emergency services such as vacuum truck hauling, bypass pumping and disinfection, and related engineering and other professional services.

To create this $25 million emergency fund, the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) is utilizing funds within the state Drinking Water and Clean Water Revolving Funds (SRFs). The SRFs traditionally provide short- and long-term financing of major improvements to water and sewer systems in New York.

"HELP loans will provide expedited assistance to municipalities that are coping with serious damage to their drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. These loans will be a lifeline to communities who are working so hard to recover from these devastating storms," Cuomo stated.

EFC's Board of Directors approved the emergency loan program at a meeting this week. The proposal has been forwarded to the Public Authorities Control Board for final approval. The PACB is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Sept. 21.

"DEC organized engineers from DEC, EFC, the Army Corps of Engineers and other agencies to perform site inspections that will qualify a municipality for both a HELP loan and FEMA assistance," said EFC President and CEO Matthew J. Driscoll. Driscoll is co-chairman of the Governor's Upstate Storm and Flooding Recovery Task Force.

"These emergency loans will allow for expedited repairs to the affected wastewater treatment facilities," noted Joe Martens, DEC Commissioner and Chair of EFC's Board of Directors.

"The sooner repairs can be made the sooner drinking water can be fully protected and harm to the environment can be minimized."

EFC created the HELP loans in cooperation with the State Department of Health (DOH), the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the State Emergency Management Office and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EFC and DOH jointly administer the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, while DEC and EFC administers the Clean Water State Revolving Fund.

DEC engineers have contacted all affected facilities and are available for further assistance. EFC financial analysts are available to water and wastewater plant administrators and other municipal officials for questions and consultation. For further information, local governments in FEMA-designated counties are invited to call James Levine, EFC Senior Vice President and General Counsel, for assistance with a HELP loan at 1-800-882-9721 or via email at irenerecovery@efc.ny.gov.

Image courtesy of: http://mindmillion.com/MONEY/money_dollar_cash_2.htm.