Proposed regulations for PFAS in NY

ALBANY, NY — The New York State Department of Health issued proposed regulations for 23 additional emerging contaminants in drinking water on October 5, starting a 60-day public review and comment period. The proposed regulations set an individual maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 parts per trillion for four types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and a combined MCL of 30 parts per trillion for the above PFAS as well as two that have already been the subject of regulation. The proposed rules would also require testing, reporting and public notification for 19 additional PFAS compounds. The proposed regulations can be found at regs.health.ny.gov/regulations/proposed-rule-making.

HEAP season returns

LIBERTY, NY — The 2022-2023 Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) season has kicked off. To apply for a 2022-2023 HEAP grant,  on or after Tuesday, November 1, go to https://mybenefits.ny.gov/mybenefits/begin, or call 845/807-0142. In-person applications will be accepted at Sullivan County Office for the Aging and the department of social services, but call ahead to confirm.

“HEAP’s regular component—offering a one-time payment to help buy fuel to heat a home—begins Tuesday, November 1,” said Sullivan County deputy social services commissioner Giselle Steketee. “But the Heating Equipment Repair & Replacement and the Heating Equipment Clean & Tune components have already begun. The programs provide funding to have trained professionals inspect, service and even replace furnaces, boilers, stoves and other heating equipment.”

Federal funding secured to combat substance use disorder

MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County district attorney’s office, partnering with Hope Not Handcuffs of the Hudson Valley (HNH), has secured $1.3 million in grant funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance of the United States Department of Justice. The grant is designed to support community and law enforcement collaboration to make treatment available to those experiencing substance use disorder. Through the HNH program, community members respond directly to police stations to support those who decide to seek treatment, with the goal of reducing the numbers of both fatal and non-fatal overdoses in our area.

PA’s postal problems

HARRISBURG, PA — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), and U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) sent a letter urging United States Postal Service (USPS) postmaster general Louis DeJoy to address the ongoing mail service issues for Pennsylvanians. The letter comes on the heels of a congressional oversight hearing on USPS service issues in the commonwealth that took place in Philadelphia last month.  

The members of Congress highlighted two post offices where there have been a number of problems: the Germantown post office in northwest Philadelphia and the White Haven post office in Luzerne County. In their letter, Casey, Evans and Cartwright outlined specific complaints from constituents, such as late and inconsistent deliveries, incorrectly delivered mail, lost packages and opened and stolen mail.

Contamination to be investigated in South Fallsburg

SOUTH FALLSBURG, NY — The public is invited to comment on a draft work plan being reviewed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate the LL Fuel Storage site, located at Laurel Avenue and Griff Court.

Historic uses of the site have been centered on commercial petroleum bulk storage enterprises dating back to the 1920s. The investigation will define the nature and extent of contamination in soil, surface water, groundwater and any other parts of the environment that may be affected. Visit dec.ny.gov/data/der/factsheet/c353017riwp.pdf for more information.

Sullivan County, state continue to monitor for polio

LIBERTY, NY — Sullivan County’s Department of Public Health continues to work closely with the New York State Department of Health  in response to the detection of poliovirus in wastewater samples. Public health director Nancy McGraw said that wastewater samples in July and August were positive, but that no cases of polio were diagnosed to date.

Next step for I-86

ALBANY, NY — Work has begun on a draft environmental impact statement for the conversion of State Route 17 into Interstate 86 in Orange and Sullivan counties, announced Gov. Kathy Hochul. Public outreach and other efforts are expected to begin in early 2023. The launch of the environmental review process follows the inclusion of up to $1 billion in the recently adopted state capital plan. This could accelerate the conversion of the highway to interstate standards and add a third lane.

Narrowsburg black vultures may contain avian flu

NARROWSBURG, NY — The River Reporter in its September 22-28 issue reported that the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) came to Lorraine Bodens’ house in Narrowsburg to investigate a flock of black vultures that exhibited unusual activity, including killing and eating each other. A neighbor of Boden reported on October 7 that the DEC had determined the birds were affected by avian flu.

The DEC did not respond with confirmation by presstime. Region 3 public participation specialist Wendy Rosenbach said she would check in about the issue; visit riverreporter.com/news for more up to date information.

As early as April, the DEC found traces of avian flu in multiple wild bird species in several areas of New York State. The DEC recommended that individuals protect themselves by only harvesting game that appears to be healthy and properly cooking any game meat being eaten to an internal temperature of 165° F, which kills the virus.