A No-Cost, Best Management Practice For Floatables Control in New York City Thomas L. Newman II, P.E. William M. Leo, P.E. HydroQual, Inc. Robert Gaffoglio, P.E. New York City DEP

HydroQual, Inc. Overview DEP DOS Existing Programs Operating Independently

HydroQual, Inc. Overview DEP DOS Existing Programs Innovative Best Management Practice

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Floatables in NY Harbor Beach washups Open-water slicks Hazards to wildlife

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Floatables in NY Harbor Beach washups Open-water slicks Hazards to wildlife

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Floatables in NY Harbor Beach washups Open-water slicks Hazards to wildlife

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Sources of Floatables Street litter (via storm sewers and CSO) Spillage from trash barging Decaying piers and abandoned marinas Illegal dumping

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Sources of Floatables Street litter (via storm sewers and CSO) Spillage from trash barging Decaying piers and abandoned marinas Illegal dumping

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Sources of Floatables Street litter (via storm sewers and CSO) Spillage from trash barging Decaying piers and abandoned marinas Illegal dumping Street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, outfall nets, boom/skim

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Sources of Floatables Street litter (via storm sewers and CSO) Spillage from trash barging Decaying piers and abandoned marinas Illegal dumping

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Sources of Floatables Street litter (via storm sewers and CSO) Spillage from trash barging Decaying piers and abandoned marinas Illegal dumping Street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, outfall nets, boom/skim Covers on barges and at transfer stations

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Sources of Floatables Street litter (via storm sewers and CSO) Spillage from trash barging Decaying piers and abandoned marinas Illegal dumping

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Sources of Floatables Street litter (via storm sewers and CSO) Spillage from trash barging Decaying piers and abandoned marinas Illegal dumping Street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, outfall nets, boom/skim Covers on barges and at transfer stations Demolition vessel to remove for disposal

HydroQual, Inc. Introduction: Sources of Floatables Street litter (via storm sewers and CSO) Spillage from trash barging Decaying piers and abandoned marinas Illegal dumping Street sweeping, catch basin cleaning, outfall nets, boom/skim Covers on barges and at transfer stations Demolition vessel to remove for disposal ??

HydroQual, Inc. Types of Illegal Dumping From street to water Spillage from industrial sites Refuse from transients living in temporary dwellings Dumping at sea

HydroQual, Inc. Types of Illegal Dumping From street to water Spillage from industrial sites Refuse from transients living in temporary dwellings Dumping at sea

HydroQual, Inc. Types of Illegal Dumping From street to water Spillage from industrial sites Refuse from transients living in temporary dwellings Dumping at sea

HydroQual, Inc. Types of Illegal Dumping From street to water Spillage from industrial sites Refuse from transients living in temporary dwellings Dumping at sea

HydroQual, Inc. How to Control Illegal Dumping? Step #1: Identify Cases Step #2: Enforce Existing No-Dumping Laws

HydroQual, Inc. Harbor Survey and Sentinel Monitoring Programs Step #1: Identification

HydroQual, Inc. Harbor Survey and Sentinel Monitoring Programs Step #1: Identification Program feasible DEP agreed to participate –as long as no detraction from crew’s duties –started spring 1998 –not every cruise

HydroQual, Inc. Sanitation Police and Environmental Police Step #2: Enforcement

HydroQual, Inc. Sanitation Police and Environmental Police Step #2: Enforcement DOS welcomed the program Worked together to develop a suitable Notification Form for observations

HydroQual, Inc.

Illegal Dumping Notification Program Role of DEP –observe activity during cruises –record observations on standard form –submit form to DOS Role of DOS –file notification form –investigate site –prosecute perpetrators and assess fines –may clean site (if in jurisdiction)

HydroQual, Inc. Advantages of Program DEP staff make good witnesses in court; makes it easier to prosecute a case Provides good information –Forms are standardized and clear –Observations are frequent - notifications are timely Provides ability to track sites over time True BMP: virtually no cost

HydroQual, Inc. Costs of Program A “true” BMP –no capital costs DEP –no detraction from crew’s primary duties (but rely on motivation of crew) –additional time to process forms DOS –more to process (but more fruitful) –could generate revenue from fines

HydroQual, Inc. Program Results Now track sites and update database Number of active sites:  40% reduction since beginning of program 3 sites clearly attributable to program  3 of 14 = 21% reduction by program...

HydroQual, Inc. Success Story #1  Then Temporary Dwellings; refuse dumping  Now Dwellings removed; Meadow

HydroQual, Inc. Success Story #2  Then Direct access to water  Now Rail restricts dumping

HydroQual, Inc. Success Story #3  Then Industrial site material spilling into waterway  Now. Clean up material and erect a fence WORK IN PROGRESS

HydroQual, Inc. Potential for Expansion Include other groups –DEP: Boom&Skim contractors –City: Parks, Police, Fire, DOT –State: DEC, Police, DOT –Local: Community Boards –Private: NY Audobon Society, SoundWatch, etc. Include dumping to catch basins Training is simple: provide example photos/forms Challenge: maintain high quality of information

HydroQual, Inc. Summary Illegal dumping can be a locally significant source of floatables and other pollutants to NY Harbor Through coordination of existing city programs, control of illegal dumping can be significantly improved (20%+) This BMP has virtually no cost and can be expanded easily

HydroQual, Inc. Special Thanks to Bernadette Boniecki NYC DEP Steve Congelosi NYC Sanitation Police

HydroQual, Inc. Questions? For a copy of the paper / slideshow: –Download from our website: –Or contact me at: