Interactive Map Displays Bloom Locations
DEC Encourages New Yorkers to "Know it, Avoid it, Report it"
The New York State
Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Health (DOH) today
reminded New Yorkers to learn about and be aware of harmful algal blooms,
or "HABs," as the 2023 HABs notification season starts. DEC's
New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) is now active and allows the
public and trained citizens to send reports of HABs to DEC electronically
via a simple, user- and mobile phone-friendly form.
"As summer begins, we
encourage New Yorkers to be on the lookout for HABs, which can impact New
York's lakes and waterways and pose a potential public health
risk," said
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "Working
closely with DOH and local partners in communities statewide, DEC continues
to make significant investments to prevent excess nutrients and other
contaminants from contributing to these potentially toxic blooms and is
actively working to help New Yorkers understand how to identify and
report HABs, as well as keep themselves, their families, and pets out of
harm's way."
"Harmful algal blooms
contain toxins that pose health risks to people and animals, so we want
to encourage New Yorkers to be on the lookout this summer as they spend
time in the water," said
Acting State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald. "The
New York Harmful Algal Bloom System (NYHABS) is an easy tool that allows
the public to both protect themselves by becoming aware of trouble areas
as well as to report blooms in an effort to help protect others."
Once evaluated by DEC and
DOH, reports are posted to the NYHABS page. The system features an interactive map
of current and archived bloom locations to help keep New Yorkers
informed. With resources such as the online HABs map and reporting system, New York
continues to be a national leader in supporting initiatives to address
HABs across the state and to ensure effective communication to the public.
DEC works with DOH, the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic
Preservation (OPRHP), and other State and local partners in leading the
most comprehensive HABs monitoring and reporting program in the nation.
In cooperation with its partners, DEC monitors hundreds of waterbodies
annually and works with DOH and OPRHP to ensure public health protections
against HABs.
HABs have been monitored
closely across New York State for more than a decade. DEC's Division of
Water recently published an analysis of trends in the occurrence of HABs,
"Detections of cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) in New York State, United States
(2012-2020)." This work evaluated patterns in frequency,
intensity, and duration of HABs compiled in large part through public
reporting. This important piece of peer-reviewed literature suggests that
increased public awareness of HABs, and their reporting through NYHABS,
has led to an increase in confirmed HABs since 2012. However, few lakes
had confirmed HABs every year of the study. The study also determined the
intensity and duration of HABs did not increase. To best understand HAB
conditions statewide and over time, the study highlights the importance
of focusing monitoring efforts on a broad range of waterbody sizes and
conditions coupled with consistent public reporting, elements DEC has
incorporated into its monitoring programs and through NYHABS. HABs
present several management challenges and this study and other research
help advance the understanding of HABs to inform sound, scientifically
driven, decision-making to protect public health and the environment.
HABs are likely triggered by
a combination of factors that include excess nutrients such as phosphorus
and nitrogen, lots of sunlight, low-water or low-flow conditions, calm
water, and warm temperatures. HAB occurrence and reporting typically
increases each year throughout the warmest months with the most reports
received during August and September.
New York State has many
programs and activities to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen from entering
the water from surrounding lands, including stormwater permitting
programs, a nutrient law that restricts the use of phosphorus lawn
fertilizer, and funding for water quality improvement projects that,
among other issues, improve water quality impacted by nutrients and HABs.
To date, New York has awarded
more than $371 million in grants designed to reduce the frequency of
algal blooms across the state by targeting phosphorus and nitrogen
pollution, controllable factors that can contribute to the occurrence of
HABs, and more than $14 million to research and development, pilot
projects, and advanced monitoring. As part of New York State's recently announced Consolidated Funding Application
(CFA), DEC's Division of Water has two grant programs
currently available that may support projects to help reduce the
occurrence of HABs. These include at least $75 million in funding through
the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) program and
up to $3 million in funding through the Non-Agricultural Nonpoint Source Planning and MS4
Mapping Grant (NPG). DEC also continues to evaluate HAB mitigation technology and strategies.
When it comes to HABs, DEC
encourages New Yorkers to "KNOW IT, AVOID IT, REPORT IT."
KNOW IT - HABs vary in
appearance from scattered green dots in the water, to
long, linear green streaks, pea soup or spilled green paint, to
blue-green or white coloration. AVOID IT - People, pets, and livestock
should avoid contact with water that is discolored or has algal scums on the surface. REPORT IT - If members of the
public suspect a HAB, report it through the NYHABs online reporting form
available on DEC's website. Symptoms or health concerns related to HABs
should be reported to DOH at harmfulalgae@health.ny.gov.
For more information about
HABs, including bloom notifications, which are updated daily through
fall, visit DEC's Harmful Algal Blooms web page.
The HABs Program Guide, which includes
information and links to resources regarding bloom prevention,
management, and control, can also be downloaded from the DEC website.
Visit DOH's website for DOH's public health information.
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