BETHEL — Harmful algal blooms (HABs) and other polluting hazards in New York State were the topics of a letter to New York State Governor  Kathy Hochul requesting immediate regulatory action, which was signed by mutliple state officials, including State Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. 

Because HABs are also a local problem and have been a subject of discussion at recent Bethel Town Board meetings, Supervisor Dan Sturm read portions of the letter aloud at the Town Board meeting November 13.

The letter calls for strict enforcement of “all NYS water pollution regulatory requirements in order to eliminate HABs and other pollution hazards” from essential drinking water sources.

The letter goes on to say that “the public health threat warrants [Hochul’s] immediate attention because HABs caused by excessive phosphorous and other nutrients have released neurotoxic mycrocystins into drinking water sources for more than 10 million New Yorkers.”

The letter requests that all waterbodies with HABs be required to be included in a 303(d) Registry, that a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is proposed within two years based on a watershed Phase I environmental site assessment. 

Looking back, it states that lofty goals under the Cuomo administration in 2018 to combat HABs through wastewater treatment upgrades, sewer expansions, septic system upgrades and replacements, agricultural nutrient reductions, and streambank erosion prevention were never achieved. 

Pertinent to our region, it has been reported in a Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) bulletin that invasive species including zebra mussels, hydrilla and water fleas have made their home in nearby New  Croton Reservoir, which supplies 10 percent of NYC’s water. The zebra mussels appeared during a bass tournament that brought in boats from other regions and now they have proliferated, choking the natural food web and clogging water systems. 

Residents raise concerns

In continuance of the ongoing discussions about new construction in Bethel and its effect on the watershed, resident Henne Altman said that currently, as leaves are seasonally disappearing from trees, she has noticed many construction activities and wondered if permits have been granted to all of them. 

Supervisor Sturm stated that there is only one large project before the Planning Board: The Swan Nest on Lee Cole Road, that two that were being considered were not in compliance, and that two others are off the table. Resident Mary-Ellen Seitelman voiced concern about the 2,000-5,000 new inhabitants expected in Swan Lake at a development, and also suggested that leaky sewers be fixed to mitigate algal blooms.

Resident Larry Seitelman cited a statistical table with data compiled in 2004, that can be found in the “Cost of Community Services Study for Sullivan County”, compiled by the Commissioner of the Division of Planning and Community Development and the President of the Partnership for Economic Development, which indicates that in the Town of Bethel there is a cost of 43 cents associated with every tax dollar collected for commercial property, versus a cost of $1.21 for every tax dollar collected for residential property (which results in a net loss). 

Seitelman asked if the town distinguishes between the categories when approving development projects and the reply was that there is no distinguishment. The net loss for the residential sector is due to anticipated reliance on social services and government programs. He added that we have always had the issue of a lack of a sewer system at the lakefront to curb pollutants introduced at that location, and said “prevention is the only reasonable solution to any town that wants to manage their water system.”