Senator Carlucci Secures $100,000 for Rockland Water Task Force; Holds Round Table on Water Quality & Conservation Needs

SUFFERN, NY– Earlier today Senator David Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester) announced that the recently enacted State budget contains $100,000 for the Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management.  Carlucci and the Task Force, chaired by County Legislator Harriet Cornell, will then hold a roundtable on water quality and conservation needs as the State prepares to invest $2.5 billion in water infrastructure projects around the State.  Carlucci secured $100,000 for the Rockland County Task Force to develop a watershed assessment and management plan for the Ramapo watershed.  Communities in the Ramapo watershed area surrounding the Ramapo and Mahwah Rivers have been significantly impacted by flooding and low stream water levels that are detrimental to water quality.  Additionally, the Ramapo River has a direct impact on one of the major sources of water supply in Rockland County, the Ramapo Valley Well Fields with 10 public water supply wells. 

"Water quality has become a significant issue in the region and a watershed assessment will identify critical areas for subsequent actions to protect our drinking water.  Securing $100,000 to develop a plan for this watershed is the first step towards coming up with a regional solution to improving and protecting our drinking water.  We have to bring together experts, advocates and public officials from throughout the region to develop a plan that actually works for water consumers and has buy in from all of the stakeholders," Carlucci stated. 

"Rockland County is facing significant water quality and conservation challenges, and solutions require community and water company collaboration,” added Legislator Harriet Cornell.  "Flowing water does not know municipal boundaries; therefore, bringing stakeholders and experts together to come up with a plan for the Ramapo watershed and other sources of water is invaluable for the community.  If there is good source-watershed stewardship with better quality water entering the water system, you reduce the cost of treatment and therefore the cost to community and environment of water production. I'm thankful Senator Carlucci shares the Task Force's priority of making sure Rockland County water consumers have clean and safe drinking water." 

Carlucci and Cornell also held a round table on water quality and conservation needs as the State prepares to invest $2.5 billion water infrastructure projects around the state and were joined by Paul Gallay, President of Riverkeeper, Audrey Friedrichsen, Land Use Attorney for Scenic Hudson, Mayor Robert D'Amelio of West Haverstraw, Mayor Craig Flanagan of Hillburn, representatives from various organizations, advocates and local governments.  

"With $2.5 billion available to improve water quality and related infrastructure, as experts and community leaders we all must be rowing in the same direction towards identifying problems and advocating for solutions if we want to secure the share that our region's water sources deserve," concluded Carlucci.   

###