New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) released an environmental report in early July proposing the removal of 20 impaired NYC waterways, including the Bronx River. Removing the waterways from the impaired list will cause them to lose important protections granted under the Clean Water Act.
The NYSDEC claims that the Bronx River no longer needs to be listed for fecal pathogens, floatable trash, or low dissolved oxygen, contrary to studies by the Bronx River Alliance, Riverkeeper, NY/NJ Baykeeper and others. This is your opportunity to speak up for the Bronx River to ensure that the responsible agencies are accountable to meet federal health and water quality standards.
A Draft New York State 2018 Section 303(d) List of Impaired/TMDL Waters is currently available for public review and comments. To learn additional information, visit Stormwater Infrastructure Matters (SWIM) Coalition website here.
Send a letter to Sarah Rickard, NYS DEC – Division of Water, Bureau of Watershed Assessment and Management, before Monday, August 6 to voice your opinion on this important issue.
