Press Release: New York State, October 02, 1998

Bond Act, EPF Support Water Quality Protection, Waterfront Revitalization, Recycling

Governor George E. Pataki today announced $3.4 million in grants for environmental projects in the City of Yonkers from the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and the State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF). The grants will support projects to improve water quality, redevelop the Yonkers waterfront, improve public access to the Hudson River, and expand municipal recycling programs.

"Yonkers is one of New York's great cities, and Mayor Spencer's commitment to the recovery of the downtown waterfront is a model example of how local governments, working in partnership with the State, are cleaning up and redeveloping these long-neglected community assets," Governor Pataki said. "We are reclaiming our waterfronts -- we are reclaiming our common heritage -- so New Yorkers will be able to enjoy urban parks and riverfront esplanades."

"These waterfronts should be the heart of our riverfront and coastal towns and cities, but in many cases, public access to these areas is limited," the Governor said. "Now, working in partnership with local governments, we are reclaiming neglected waterfronts for public use."

Today's grants, totaling $3,469,795, provide $1.2 million for water quality protection, $160,000 for waterfront revitalization, $1.8 million for municipal recycling programs and $265,000 for municipal park improvements.

"Once again, Governor Pataki has proved his commitment to the revitalization of the City of Yonkers and its waterfront," Mayor John Spencer said. "Through the Governor's efforts, in a true partnership with government at the local level, the City of Yonkers will now be able to enhance our important recycling programs, ensure better water quality for our residents and continue the progress of revitalizing our beautiful waterfront."

Senator Nick Spano said, "Revitalizing the Yonkers waterfront is an important part of the city's future economic growth so toady's announcement could not come at a better time. Governor Pataki has a well-deserved reputation for championing these types of efforts. Thanks to the Governor, Yonkers residents will be able to enjoy more of their beautiful waterfront."

"Governor Pataki is a true friend of Yonkers," Assemblyman Michael Spano said. "The City continues to make a tremendous comeback to claim its rightful place as one of the greatest cities in the State and in the country. Governor Pataki has been right there every step of the way for this truly remarkable renaissance."

The $1.7 million in Bond Act projects were selected by the State's environmental experts who reviewed applications submitted by municipalities. The Bond Act projects will be reviewed by a group of community representatives and environmental experts and will be subject to a 30-day public comment period.

A $1.2 million Bond Act grant will help fund the installation of new sanitary and stormwater sewer lines for infrastructure on the Yonkers Hudson River waterfront. This will prevent contaminants in surface runoff from reaching the Hudson River and reduce combined sewer overflows to the river during storm events.

In addition, a $160,000 EPF grant will support waterfront revitalization by funding the preparation of a harbor management plan that will ensure development of the waterfront is consistent with environmental protection. The grant will also fund the design of a fishing pier and marina and additional waterfront planning studies.

A $265,000 Bond Act grant will improve access to the Hudson River at three locations along the Yonkers Watertrail, a recreational riverfront trail being constructed in southern Westchester county to provide greater public access to the river. The grant will fund new boat launches, repairs to deteriorated bulkheads, and other site improvements.

Along with waterfront redevelopment, today's grants provide significant funds to improve and expand Yonkers' municipal recycling programs. Four EPF and Bond Act grants will provide $1.8 million to support local recycling efforts.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner John P. Cahill said, "New York is a national leader in the fight to promote recycling and waste reduction and, ultimately, reduce the number of landfills needed to dispose of solid waste. These grants will greatly improve Yonkers' municipal recycling program, providing new equipment and facilities that will expand the program's capacity while making it much more user-friendly. The key to a successful recycling program is to make it user-friendly and cost-effective; today's grants will do just that."

State Secretary of State Alexander F. Treadwell said, "New York's waterfront resources are among its greatest assets. These grants will enhance our natural resources and the public's enjoyment of our waterfront environments in New York State. Thanks to Governor Pataki's strong leadership and his commitment to our waterfront revitalization program, we are strengthening our partnership with local governments to protect and improve our state's waterfront environments."

These grants will fund enhancements to the City's recycling center to increase capacity, construction of a new processing building, purchase of a baler and other recycling equipment, construction of a yard waste compost facility, and the purchase of new collection vehicles.

Progress is also being made on the redevelopment of contaminated properties on the waterfront. In January, Governor Pataki announced that Yonkers had been awarded two grants to investigate environmental contamination in a portion of the downtown waterfront. These grants, totaling $159,259, funded the investigation of contamination on several properties at the foot of Main Street and Wells Avenue.

That investigation has recently been completed, and the State is developing a plan for the cleanup of the properties. In addition, the State and the City are negotiating a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement that will cover an adjacent section of the waterfront.

In just two years since voters approved the Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, more than $502 million has been committed to needed environmental projects around the State.

The $1.75 billion Bond Act was proposed by Governor Pataki and approved by voters in November 1996. It provides $790 million for water quality projects, $355 million to protect drinking water systems, $175 million for recycling and landfill closures, $200 million for brownfields reclamation, and $230 million for clean air projects.

The State Environmental Protection Fund supports State and local programs to preserve and restore the environment by protecting open spaces, farmland, coastlines and municipal parks, closing outdated municipal landfills and improving recycling. During the Pataki Administration, funding for the EPF has quadrupled to more than $100 million in 1998-99. ENVIRONMENTAL FUNDING FOR YONKERS
Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act and State Environmental Protection Fund