New Watershed programs authorized

MARGARETVILLE, NY October 29, 2003 - The Catskill Watershed Corporation (CWC) Board of Directors has approved rules for two new water quality and community benefit programs.

The programs, coordinated by CWC technical staff, were required under terms of a 2002 filtration waiver extension granted by the federal government to New York City. The City is funding the initiatives as part of a wide-ranging partnership effort to preserve water quality in its West-of-Hudson Watershed.

The Septic Maintenance Program is intended to extend the life of on-site septic systems serving one- and two-family households in the Catskill and Delaware Watersheds. The 10-year program will go through a two-year pilot phase in priority areas before it is launched throughout the Watershed. The CWC will reimburse homeowners for half of the eligible costs of inspections and pump-outs. Letters inviting participation in the pilot program will go out to eligible homeowners in the next few months. The program is expected to get underway in 2004.

Applications will be accepted through December 1 for the first round of competitive grants awarded under the new Community-Wide Stormwater Infrastructure Assessment and Planning Program, a component of the existing Stormwater Retrofit Program.

Funds will be provided to towns, villages and counties to conduct comprehensive assessments of existing culverts, catch basins, storm sewers and other stormwater infrastructure. These assessments, located in GIS databases, can then be used to identify stormwater pollution problems and prioritize improvement and repair needs which might be funded under the CWC Stormwater Retrofit Grant Program.

For more information about either program, call the CWC at 845-586-1400.