March 18, 1999

Contact: Geoffrey Ryan (DEP) (718/595-5371)

City Starts Construction of Anti-Pollution Facilities at Kensico Reservoir

Starting in early April, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will begin construction of Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) designed to curtail pollution of water at the Kensico Reservoir, according to DEP Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E. Part of DEP's comprehensive Kensico Protection Program, the first BMPs will include work at Malcolm and Young Brooks near West Lake Drive in the Town of Mount Pleasant.

"Because water from Catskill and Delaware system reservoirs is delivered to the Kensico Reservoir before moving on to consumers in the City and lower Westchester County," said Commissioner Miele, "it is critically important that any source of pollution in the Kensico Basin be remediated. The work necessitates some land clearing and construction on either side of West Lake Drive. Wetland plantings will be an integral part of some of the BMPs, and all disturbed areas will be re-vegetated with grasses and other plants upon completion of the BMPs."

"The Town of Mount Pleasant has been working closely and cooperatively with New York City DEP on this important water protection program for the Kensico Reservoir," said Supervisor Robert F. Meehan. "The plans have been reviewed and approved by the Planning Board and Town Engineer. This project will assist in protecting the water supply, not only for New York City, but for more than 20,000 residents of Mount Pleasant, as well as a large section of lower Westchester County."

A public information meeting about the project has been scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, at 7:00 PM in DEP's conference room on the second floor of 465 Columbus Avenue in Valhalla.