October 14th: State Senate Hearing on Untreated Sewage in NY Harbor

On Monday, October 14th, the NY Sate Senate Environmental Conservation Committee, we invite you to join us at a crucial hearing examining the quality of water in New York, with respect to the presences of untreated sewage. As you may know, each year, billions of gallons of untreated sewage enters the Hudson River and other waterways in our state.

This hearing will serve to inform a Sewage Right to Know law for New York State that will be introduced by Senator Espaillat.
The full text of the letter from Senators Grisanti and Espaillat is available here.

Fwd: Westchester Health Dept Advisory for LI Sound at Mamaroneck: LIFTED

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2011

MAMARONECK BOATER AND BEACH ADVISORY LIFTE

The Westchester County Department of Health has lifted a boater and beach advisory that had been in effect since Tuesday, due to a sewage discharge on Rushmore Avenue near the intersection of Orienta Avenue.

The discharge was discovered Monday night and ended Tuesday morning, after the county Department of Environmental Facilities repaired a pump that had failed at the West Basin Pump Station next to Harbor Island Park. An estimated 162,000 gallons of chlorinated sewage entered Long Island Sound due to the pump failure.

Results today from two sets of water samples taken by the health department following the discharge showed the water met bathing beach standards.

People who use the water for recreational purposes can resume their activities at the following beaches and marinas: Harbor Island Park Beach, Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club, Shore Acres Club, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club, Derecktor Boat Yard, Brewer Post Road Boat Yard Marina, Mamaroneck Municipal Marina, Nichols Yacht Yard, Mamaroneck Boat and Motors, and McMichael's Boat Yard.  No other beaches or marinas were affected.

Caren Halbfinger

Director, Public Health Information and Communication

Westchester County Health Department

cqh4@westchestergov.com

914-813-5013 phone ;After hours: 914-813-5000

914-813-5014 fax

145 Huguenot Street

New Rochelle, New York 10801

Westchester Health Dept Advisory for LI Sound at Mamaroneck

thanks to jerry blackstone for forwarding this.

 

NEWS RELEASE

Cheryl Archbald, MD, MPH,   Acting Commissioner, Department of Health
Ned McCormack, Communications Director
Contact:  Caren Halbfinger (914) 813-5013 / after hours: 813-5000

 

For Immediate Release: September 13, 2011

 

BOATER AND BEACH ADVISORY: SEWAGE SPILL INTO THE SOUND IN MAMARONECK

 

The Westchester County Department of Health has issued a boater and beach advisory due to a sewage discharge at the West Basin Pump Station next to Harbor Island Park. The discharge was discovered Monday evening and ended this morning after the county Department of Environmental Facilities repaired a pump that had failed.

The advisory, along with telephone notification to the marinas and beaches, is being made because an estimated 162,000 gallons of untreated sewage entered Long Island Sound due to the pump failure.

As a precaution, Mamaroneck beaches have been advised to remain closed and people who use the waters for recreational purposes should avoid direct contact with the water until further notice at the following Mamaroneck locations: Harbor Island Park Beach, Mamaroneck Beach and Yacht Club, Shore Acres Club, Beach Point Club, Orienta Beach Club, Derecktor Boat Yard, Brewer Post Road Boat Yard Marina, Mamaroneck Municipal Marina, Nichols Yacht Yard, Mamaroneck Boat and Motors, and McMichael's Boat Yard. 

The county health department is sampling the water today. Once results are received and evaluated, the health department will determine whether to reopen the beaches and lift the advisory.

Wall Street Heliport Security Zone Enforcement - Temporary East River Closures Sept. 19th AND 21st

This advisory is the same for both days, so I have pasted in the date and time for both.
For charts and more info click on "read more" below.

Date: September 13, 2011
Re: Wall Street Heliport Security Zone Enforcement - Temporary East River Closure

1. In accordance with regulations contained in 33 CFR 165.164(a)(1), the Coast Guard will be enforcing a security zone in the East River, in the vicinity of the Wall Street Heliport, on Monday, September 19, from 4:40 pm to 5:40 pm AND Wednesday, September 21, from 8:50 pm to 9:50 pm. No vessel transits will be permitted within the security zone while it is in effect without the Coast Guard Patrol Commander's (PATCOM) approval. Changes in the time that the security zone is in effect may occur. In the event additional waterways need to be closed under urgent conditions, or changes occur to the security zone, immediate notice will be made to mariners via safety marine information broadcast over VHF-FM Channel 16 and the Homeport Alert Warning System. VTS participants will also receive notice via VHF-FM Channel 12 and 14.

UN General Assembly - East River Closures / Security Zones for Sept 19-27

For charts and further info click on "read more"

Date: September 12, 2011
1. From September 19-27, 2011, the U.S. Coast Guard will be enforcing additional Security Zones on the East River near the United Nations Headquarters. The security zone includes all waters of the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge.

East River Security Zone Restrictions
•  Zone (1): This zone is always in effect. No Vessels within 175 yards of Manhattan between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge in the West Channel of the East River. Commercial vessels must check in with VTS New York (VTSNY) on VHF-FM CH 12 prior to entering the West Channel.
•  Zone (2): West channel closure: Sept 19-23 and Sept 26 & 27 (7:00 am-7:00 pm). No commercial or recreational traffic in the west channel of the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/ 59th Street Bridge. NYC DEP sludge vessels will not be allowed to transit without 24-hour advance coordination with the Sector NY Enforcement Division.
•  Zone (3): Full river closure: Sept 19, (5:20 pm-6:30 pm); Sept 20, (10:00-11:45); Sept 21, (9:25-2:45). No commercial or recreational traffic in the East River between East 35th Street and the Queensboro/59th Street Bridge except commercial passenger vessels on the east channel with USCG PATCOM approval.

Harlem River Closure, Thu, Sep 8, 0455-0505, from 3rd Ave Bridge to RFK/Triborough Bridge

Just a heads-up. This appears to be very early in the morning but in case anyone planned to be out on the Harlem Thursday morning see below.
This is the entire notice from Homeport.  No explanation was provided.:

Re: Harlem River Closure, Thu, Sep 8, 0455-0505, from 3rd Ave Bridge to RFK/Triborough Bridge

REQUIRED SAFETY MEASURES:
1.    The Harlem River will be closed on Thursday, September 8th, 2011 from 0455-0505. No vessels will be authorized between the Third Ave Bridge and the Triborough/RFK Bridge.
2.    NYPD and FDNY Harbor vessels will be on scene.
3.    Miller's Launch will have a small boat near each bridge to also notify mariners of the closure.
4.    POC: LT William George at (718)-354-4114.