Health Advisory on the Hudson River in WESTCHESTER, south of Tarrytown

Thanks to Jerry Blackstone of YPRC for this:

HUDSON RIVER ADVISORY: AVOID CONTACT WITH THE HUDSON RIVER

IN WESTCHESTER FROM POINTS SOUTH OF TARRYTOWN

Sewage discharge in Yonkers prompts water advisory

The Westchester County Department of Health is advising people who use the Hudson River waters for recreational purposes, namely swimmers, boaters, windsurfers and kayakers, to avoid direct contact with the Hudson River from points south of Tarrytown in Westchester until further notice.

Due to the excessive rainfall associated with Hurricane Irene, the Department of Environmental Facilities has reported a sewage discharge into the Hudson River from the North Yonkers Pump Station. The volume of water coming into the North Yonkers Pump Station was too much for the system to handle, causing a manhole cover to dislodge resulting in a sewage discharge into the Hudson.  The Department of Environmental Facilities has been working to remediate the issue.

The Department of Environmental Facilities will be collecting samples from the surcharging sewer manhole this evening and the Health Department will issue an updated advisory based on the sample results. 

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York State Department of Health have been notified.

Hurricane Irene closure: Hudson River Park will close at noon on Saturday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FROM: HUDSON RIVER PARK TRUST (www.hudsonriverpark.org)

24/7 Operations

CONTACT: Hudson River Park Trust

212-242-6427

HUDSON RIVER PARK CLOSURE

INFORMATION DUE TO HURRICANE IRENE

Hudson River Park will close at NOON on Saturday, August 27, 2011, due to Hurricane Irene. The closure will be in effect until further notice.

Hudson River Park is located within Zone A of the City's Hurricane Evacuation Plan. Mayor Bloomberg has ordered a mandatory evacuation of all residents in Zone A. While there are no residents in the park, the closure is a critical precautionary safety measure.

Preparations for anticipated high winds and storm surges continue throughout the park. All tenants have been alerted to take precautionary measures, and we will provide more details as they become available. Any tenant having questions or concerns should contact the Hudson River Park Trust's 24/7 command number above.

As well as open publicly accessible portions of the park, the following buildings will close tomorrow at noon: Pier 25 Mini Golf Building, Tribeca Skate Park/Comfort Station Building, Christopher Street Comfort Station, Organicoa Concession at Christopher Street, Pier 51 Comfort Station, West 26^th Street Park Maintenance Building, Pier 66 Boathouse, Pier 84 Boathouse, Pier 84 Bike Concession/Comfort Station, and the Pier 96 Boathouse.

In addition, recreational motorized and non-motorized boating at Pier 25, Pier 40, Pier 66, Pier 84 and Pier 96 will be strictly prohibited for safety. The sports fields at Pier 40 will be closed at noon. The Trust will likely need to close Pier 40 entirely tomorrow. Business owners or garage patrons who need to access Pier 40 to retrieve a car or relocate it to the second floor should do so before 5 pm tomorrow.

We will continue to follow the direction of the Mayor's and Governor's offices which are coordinating emergency response measures across the City and State. Keep in mind that plans for Hudson River Park closures may change at any point in response to updated weather other emergency conditions. We will endeavor to keep our website updated to provide current information to the degree possible.

The safety of our patrons, tenants and staff members is our highest priority. Please do everything you can to keep yourselves and the park we all love safe.

###

Coast Guard Advisory Notice: Hurricane Irene

This does not apply specifically to human-powered boats, but is a reminder that bad weather may be on the way this weekend.  Really bad weather.  Plan your programs and trips for the weekend accordingly.
Be safe.

From:  Waterways Management Division
Re:  Hurricane Irene
Date: August 25, 2011
Revision No: 0
CGAN NUMBER: 2011-058

1.    Hurricane Irene may impact waters of the Sector New York Captain of the Port Zone beginning Saturday evening. All vessels and facilities should review their heavy weather and hurricane plan. The Sector New York Maritime Heavy Weather and Hurricane plan can be found at: http://homeport.uscg.mil/newyork >Port Directory > Local Contingency Plans > 01. Hurricane and Severe Weather Plan
2.    Pleasure crafts are advised to seek safe harbor if weather conditions begin to deteriorate.
3.    Drawbridges may not be operating if sustained winds reach 35 knots.
4.    All commercial vessel and barges greater than 500 gross tons should make preparations and preliminary arrangements for safe mooring.
5.    Mariners are strongly advised to closely monitor NOAA weather and local radio broadcasts for updated warnings of this storm.

NEW KAYAK LAUNCH TO BE OPENED IN OSSINING, August 28, 2011 at 11 a.m

NEW KAYAK LAUNCH TO BE OPENED IN OSSINING
New Kayak Launch and Racks Will be Open to the Public, the Racks First Come First Serve

August 28, 2011 at 11 a.m., the Town of Ossining will be hosting a press conference to announce
the opening of their new kayak launch. The kayak launch will have public storage racks available
to all on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Town of Ossining Department of Parks & Recreation Department also works closely with the Ossining Boat & Canoe Club, committed to continuing our role on the waterfront as a living interface between the Ossining community and the Hudson River, one of our country's great natural resources.
If you would like more information about this topic, or to attend the Press Conference, please
call Amanda Porteus at 484-753-2532 or email Amanda at amandaporteus@me.com.

Kayaker Needed

The Hudson River Swim For Life

Sat, 09/10/2011 - 6:30am

Website for more information and to register:
http://www.hudsonriverswim.org

Time shown represents the registration start. The actual event which is open for public viewing will start around 9:00am

For 20 years, The Hudson River Swim For Life has been recognized as the premiere swim on the Hudson. The 2011 event takes place on Saturday, September 10th at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow, NY. All proceeds from the Swim will benefit the Westchester/Hudson Valley Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Participants will have several options to conquer the Hudson and support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society:

Three-Mile Swim: A once in a lifetime experience swimming across the Hudson River! This swim begins in Nyack and finishes at Kingsland Point Park in Sleepy Hollow.

One-Mile Swim: For those swimmers interested in completing a shorter route, a One-Mile Swim will be offered along the shores of Sleepy Hollow.

Kayaking: For those who would like to participate on the water rather than in it, we welcome you to participate as a kayaker. These volunteers are essential to guiding and assisting the swimmers in the water for safety. This year’s event is expected to require 150 kayakers. FYI: Kayakers will be going across the river and back, therefore you may be kayaking for 1-6 miles based on your ability.

*There is a $20 registration fee before the day of the event and $25 on the day of. Kayakers will be provided with food and a shirt.

Since its inception over 20 years ago, the mission of the Hudson River Swim For Life has been to raise awareness of the Hudson River, promote swimming as a lifelong form of fitness, and to raise funds for the ongoing efforts of charities in the community. Overall, the event has raised approximately $2 million for local non-profit organizations.

Spectators are welcome to cheer on the participants. There will be food and entertainment to enjoy in the park.

for more information check out http://www.hudsonriverswim.org or contact Diandra Kodl at 914-949-0084, ext. 8993 or Diandra.Kodl@lls.org.

 

 

 

:: Diandra Kodl | Deputy Executive Director:: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Westchester/Hudson Valley Chapter, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Ste 130, White Plains, NY 10605

CONTACT WITH THE HUDSON RIVER IN WESTCHESTER CLEARED SLEEPY HOLLOW AND SOUTH

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: August 13, 2011

CONTACT WITH THE HUDSON RIVER IN WESTCHESTER CLEARED SLEEPY HOLLOW AND SOUTH

Philipse Manor Beach can reopen; Croton Point Park Beach remains closed.

 

The Westchester County Department of Health advises swimmers, boaters, windsurfers, kayakers and other recreational water users that they may resume direct contact with the Hudson River in Sleepy Hollow and south in Westchester but should avoid direct contact with the Hudson River north of Sleepy Hollow in Westchester until further notice.

The health department estimates there had been an ongoing sewage discharge of 1.5 million gallons per day of sewage due to the sewer main break reported by Ossining on Thursday.  The village of Ossining repaired the sewer main break late afternoon on Friday.

 The county health department has advised that one of the two Hudson River beaches in Westchester, Philipse Manor Beach, can reopen.  Croton Point Park Beach must remain closed.

Results from beach water quality samples taken Friday by the county health department were available late this afternoon and showed improved water quality in Sleepy Hollow and south and ongoing unacceptable levels of bacteria in areas north of Sleepy Hollow.

 The Health Department will continue to monitor the situation and will update this advisory when possible.

For more information regarding the repaired sewer main, contact the Village of Ossining.

August 11, 2011 AVOID CONTACT WITH THE HUDSON RIVER IN WESTCHESTER

this is unrelated to last month's sewage treatment plant failure in northern manhattan.  seems one positive thing that came from that event is raised awareness of the water quality.

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: August 11, 2011

                 AVOID CONTACT WITH THE HUDSON RIVER IN WESTCHESTER

                   Sewage Discharge in Ossining Closes Two Beaches

       The Westchester County Department of Health has notified area marinas
       and boating clubs and has advised Croton Point Park Beach and Philipse
       Manor Beach to close today, as a result of a sewer main break in
       Ossining.

       The Westchester County Department of Health was notified of the
       incident today and also advises people who use the Hudson River waters
       for recreational purposes, namely swimmers, boaters, windsurfers and
       kayakers, to avoid direct contact with the Hudson River until further
       notice.  The Health Department is collecting beach water quality
       samples today and will issue an updated advisory based on sample
       results received tomorrow.

       The village of Ossining today reported that a fallen tree had caused a
       break in an 18-inch sewer main, which is discharging sewage into
       Killbrook Creek, near the intersection of Water Street and Central
       Avenue in Ossining, about a quarter mile from the Hudson River. The
       health department estimates 1.5 million gallons per day of sewage is
       discharging due to the break. The village is adding chlorine solution
       upstream to provide partial treatment of the sewage before it is
       discharged to the Hudson River, and is working to repair the break.

       The health department will continue to monitor the situation and
       respond as needed.

       The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation,the New
       York State Department of Health, and the New York City Department of
       Environmental Protection have been notified.

       For more information on the status of repairs to the sewer main break,
       contact the Village of Ossining.