EPA proposed "no discharge zone" Cayuga, Seneca, and Seneca River

[DJ 17]

Seems like a pretty cut and dry situation.

 

 

EPA Urges the Public to Weigh In on Proposal to Ban the Dumping of Sewage from Boats into Cayuga and Seneca Lakes and Seneca River

Contact: John Martin, (212) 637-3662, [email protected]

(New York, N.Y. – April 17, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed that a “no discharge zone†can be established for Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake and the Seneca River. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation petitioned the EPA to prohibit boats from discharging sewage into these waters by establishing a “no discharge zone†for the area. The EPA has reviewed the petition and found that there are adequate facilities around Lakes Cayuga and Seneca for boats to pump out their sewage, rather than dumping it in the water.

Sewage discharges from boats can contain harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine, which have a negative impact on water quality, pose a risk to people’s health and impair marine life. The EPA is encouraging the public to comment on its proposed approval until May 17, 2015.

The proposed “no discharge zone†for Cayuga and Seneca Lakes includes Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, the Seneca River, and the connected navigable tributaries. Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake are water bodies of unique ecological, economic and public health significance as well as drinking water sources. Establishing a “no discharge zone†for these lakes would help protect the water quality and marine life.

This action is part of an EPA/New York State Department of Environmental Conservation strategy to eliminate the discharge of sewage from boats into the state’s waterways. New York State water bodies that have already been established as “no discharge zones†include Lakes Erie, Ontario, Champlain, and George, the New York State Canal System and the Hudson River, among others. 

EPA’s determination is available in the Federal Register at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/.

For more information about “no discharge zonesâ€, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region02/water/ndz/index.html

To comment on the proposed EPA approval, email, fax or mail comments to Moses Chang at [email protected], Fax: (212) 637-3891. Mailing address: Moses Chang, U.S. EPA Region 2, 290 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007-1866.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and Facebook at http://facebook.com/eparegion2
 

[lakebound88]

It's always been illegal on the Finger lakes from the book I read? Great news if they push forth. There's a pump out at every marina! we all have out y valves either removed or locked one way

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

[Sk8man]

I have always assumed it was illegal to dump sewage directly into the lakes.....

[DJ 17]

I would have thought so too, but this was sent to me by someone who has spent the last 16 years cleaning up environmental messes all over the northeast.

[bandrus1]

in all honesty

 

do we really that sewage from boaters REALLY made an impact on the lake?

[BSmaster]

What are the suckers and carp going to eat? 

 

I thought it was illegal already also.

[Lil Jake]

If it's illegal to put sh!t in the water I guess we won't see Cuomo back up around the fingers again out fear of being ticketed,,so that's an added bonus. 

[lost a lure]

I believe they mean you can discharge "treated sewage" into the water not raw sewage.

[lost a lure]

If it's illegal to put sh!t in the water I guess we won't see Cuomo back up around the fingers again out fear of being ticketed,,so that's an added bonus. 

 

GOOD ONE!

[rolmops]

If it's illegal to put sh!t in the water I guess we won't see Cuomo back up around the fingers again out fear of being ticketed,,so that's an added bonus. 

What on Gods good earth does this have to do with the subject matter?

[Lil Jake]

It's a joke implying that NYS's "mayor" is a piece of crap.

Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

[rolmops]

It's a joke implying that NYS's "mayor" is a piece of crap.

Sent from my iPhone using Lake Ontario United

ha......ha......ha.