SCHUMER REVEALS: DANGEROUS TOXIC ALGAE IS DRAMATICALLY SPREADING ACROSS UPSTATE NEW YOK; SENATOR SAYS ALGAE FOUND IN MORE THAN 80 UPSTATE NY WATERWAYS COULD CONTAMINATE DRINKING WATER AND DAMAGE UPSTATE FISHING INDUSTRY – URGES USDA TO DEDICATE MORE FED RESOURCES TO HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF TOXIC ALGAE TO HELP PROTECT NY RESIDENTS AND WATER BODIES

Dangerous Toxin Has Been Detected In 14 Bodies Of Water Across CNY, 5 Bodies Of Water Across WNY, 11 Bodies Of Water Across The Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, 8 Bodies Of Water Across The Capital Region, 10 Bodies Of Water Across The Southern Tier, 26 Bodies Of Water Across The Hudson Valley, 13 Bodies Of Water Across North Country

NY is Approaching Record Levels Of Toxic Algal Blooms, With 126 Outbreaks Across 87 Upstate Water Bodies In 2015 – Blooms Could Contaminate Drinking Water And Sink Local Economies Dependent On Tourism and Fishing  

Schumer: Upstate Lakes Have Been Swimming In Toxic Algae For Way Too Long

On a conference call with reporters, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today revealed a new plan to help combat toxic algae found in Upstate New York waterways. Schumer said that without intervention, the number of algae outbreaks could continue to grow and contaminate drinking water for New York residents, as well as damage local economies dependent on tourism, fishing and recreation.

“We need to take action to limit and treat the spread of these toxic algal blooms which can cause frequent beach closures, loss of fish and wildlife and even human illnesses. These toxic blooms not only threaten our ecosystems and public health, but also the revenue generated by tourism and fishing upon which our Upstate economy relies,” said Schumer. “That is why I am urging the USDA to prioritize to our farmers and communities for the conservation efforts necessary to reduce the runoff of chemicals into our waterways which cause these outbreaks of harmful algae. They desperately need help in combatting the spread of toxic algae and the best way to do that is to try to stop the problem at its source.”

Schumer cited recently released data from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), which reveals there have been 126 blue-green algae outbreaks across 87 bodies of water in Upstate New York. Schumer said these could directly threaten ecosystems, tourism and public health. Therefore, Schumer is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize and award additional federal funding to combat the spread of toxic algae.

Due to a number of factors, including runoff from nearby agricultural areas and aging sewer systems, the amount of phosphorus in lakes, reservoirs and other bodies of water across Upstate New York has increased in recent years, causing large algal blooms to grow in the water. Climate change has also brought warmer temperatures and more spring rainfall, both of which favor the growth of algae blooms. Blue-green algae blooms in particular produce cyanotoxins, which form as the algal blooms rob oxygen from the water. In incidents reported throughout the U.S. and Upstate NY in particular, water contamination caused by these cyanotoxins has resulted in illness, beach closures and animal deaths. Schumer said these factors, as well as increased human activity near water bodies, has resulted in the toxic algae blooms becoming more widespread than before.

Schumer said that these conditions mean Upstate NY waterways are ripe for record blue-green algae blooms, and that this toxic algae has the potential to contaminate local waterways, putting ecosystems, drinking water and recreational activities that spur tourism, like boating and swimming, at risk. As a result, Schumer said something must be done to stem the spread of these blooms in order to protect drinking water sources as well as Upstate New York’s tourism economy. Specifically, Schumer is urging the USDA to allocate and devote more federal funding to programs that directly help municipalities, towns, non-governmental organizations and individual farmers to combat algal bloom outbreaks.

Schumer explained that one of the best ways to help protect Upstate NY waterways is to curtail the amount of runoff into rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other waterways. Schumer said reducing this runoff will mean less phosphorus in NY waterways and, therefore, less algal blooms. Schumer said that while farmers and municipalities have taken steps to lessen phosphorous runoff, they often lack the necessary funding for ground cover and erosion mitigation efforts. That is why he is pushing the USDA to prioritize funding for two programs that help communities pay for these kinds of prevention and conservation projects.

Specifically, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) are administered by the USDA as stipulated by the 2014 Farm Bill. The EQIP program provides direct financial assistance to individual farmers looking to pay for ground cover projects that help prevent the erosion and runoff that cause algal blooms in Upstate NY waterways. The RCPP program delivers grants for runoff prevention and conservation projects as well, however these funds provide assistance to producers through partnerships with local agricultural and conservation groups as well as local municipalities. Schumer said these two programs should not only have additional funding, but the USDA should prioritize allocating and dedicating more federal funds within these two programs to applicants looking to combat algal blooms by mitigating the phosphorous runoff that is contributing to algae growth.

Schumer said now is the time to take action and limit the algal blooms before Upstate New Yorkers experience more beach closures, loss of wildlife, more instances of human exposure or even harm to local tourism and businesses that rely on the lakes, rivers and various waterways across Upstate NY for their livelihood. Schumer said that, according to the NY State DEC, in 2015, there have been 126 reports of blue-green algae bloom outbreaks across 87 Upstate NY waterways. With 2015 not yet complete, Schumer said these numbers could continue to rise if nothing is done to mitigate this problem:

• In the Capital Region, there were 12 reports of blue-green algae outbreaks in eight bodies of water.
• In Central New York, there were 24 reports of blue-green algae outbreaks in 14 bodies of water.
• In Western New York, there were eight reports of blue-green algae outbreaks in five bodies of water.
• In the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, there were 16 reports of blue-green algae outbreaks in 11 bodies of water.
• In the Southern Tier, there were 15 reports of blue-green algae outbreaks in 10 bodies of water.
• In the Hudson Valley, there were 37 reports of blue-green algae outbreaks in 26 bodies of water.
• In the North Country, there were 14 reports of blue-green algae outbreaks in 13 bodies of water.

The cyanotoxins found in Upstate New York water bodies include neurotoxins (affect the nervous system), hepatotoxins (affect the liver), and dermatoxins (affect the skin). The presence of high levels of cyanotoxins in recreational water and drinking water may cause a wide range of symptoms including fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, blisters, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, mouth ulcers, and allergic reactions. Such effects can occur within minutes to days after exposure. In severe cases, seizures, liver failure, respiratory arrest, and death may occur, although very rarely. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2014 three instances in which a total of six people suffered rashes, sores, swelling, eye irritation and congestion after exposure to algal toxins in New York lakes.

In addition to this push, Schumer is also working to upgrade aging sewer systems, which contribute to the algae growth with their periodic overflows and septic discharges. Schumer is working to address this sewer problem through his ongoing push to preserve or increase federal funding that can be used to upgrade aging sewer systems.

After Schumer’s push last year for the EPA to issue health advisories to local water municipalities, EPA complied with this request and issued health advisories that states and utilities can use to protect Americans from elevated levels of algal toxins in drinking water. EPA recently announced that it is developing an early warning indicator system using historical and current satellite data to detect algal blooms. EPA researchers will develop a mobile application to inform water quality managers of changes in water quality using satellite data on cyanobacteria algal blooms from three partnering agencies – NASA, NOAA, and the U.S. Geological Survey. 

A copy of Senator Schumer’s letter to the USDA appears below:

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

I write to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prioritize funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) in order to help combat the aggressive spread of toxic blue green algae in New York State.  I commend USDA for its continued support in fighting the spread of this highly toxic algae, however devoting more funding from these programs will help ensure that our water continues to be safe to boat, fish, and most importantly drink for years to come.

As you know, cyanobacteria, more commonly known as blue green algae, is naturally found in lakes, ponds, and streams in low quantities.  However, when present in higher quantities, it can create a variety of problems including producing unpleasant smells, depleting the water of valuable oxygen and nutrients, and worst of all, producing harmful toxins.  These toxins produce a variety of side effects to humans and animals alike including nausea, vomiting, skin irritation, and difficulty breathing.  Not only can side effects be present after drinking water contaminated with blue green algae, they can also arise if a person or animal so much as touches the contaminated water.  This is why it is critical that the USDA prioritizes these funds towards efforts to curb the spread of the toxic algae to other bodies of water in New York.  These funds could help prevent increased cases of blue green algal blooms in future years, which will help people enjoy safe and clean water every summer. 

Blue green algal blooms have been present for a number of years in upstate New York.  However, as we approach a new record for the number of New York bodies of water that are affected by this problem in 2015, it is critical to devote additional resources in order to make sure that we are doing all we can to stop the spread of these toxic blooms and to protect our drinking water.  By investing in conservation projects, we are protecting our communities and ensuring that our pristine bodies of water and beaches remain open for years to come.

Again, I thank you for your work in fighting the spread of blue green algal blooms and protecting our pristine bodies of water.  Thank you for your attention to this important request.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

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