The Board of Directors of the Center for Environmental Information has unanimously endorsed proposed bi-partisan legislation to strengthen the state's septic system laws which lag far behind neighboring states and much of the U.S. About 20% of New York residences are served by onsite wastewater treatment systems and an estimated 10-25% of these are inoperative or failing.
"Given our strong commitment to restoration and remediation of the Lake Ontario Coastal region, CEI's Board enthusiastically endorsed this long overdue legislation. Inoperative or failing septic systems are a source of pollution that needs to be addressed along the Lake Ontario coastline and elsewhere," said Ram Shrivastava, chairman of CEI's Board of Directors.
The proposed legislation sponsored by Senator Carl Marcellino, chair of the NYS Senate Environmental Conservation Committee (S887) and Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli, chair of the NYS Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee (A4080), requires the Department of Health to revise its regulations and create an inspection system for all new and existing septic systems, including training and certification of inspectors, protocols and a schedule for inspections. The legislation will require systems to be designed by engineers and will have penalties for failing systems. Seepage pits, raised fill systems, and those within 200 feet of a lake, stream, river, or wetland will not be permitted, nor construction on 15% or greater slopes, or in areas with less than 5 feet of underlying soil. Counties can still adopt and administer stricter regulations.
Current law, largely designed to control pathogens, limits wide application of technologically advanced systems designed to remove nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen.
The Center for Environmental Information (CEI) is a private, nonprofit, education organization, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2004. CEI provides information and communication services, publications, and education programs in order to:
-Advance public understanding of environmental issues;
-Act as a communication link among scientists, educators, decision makers and the public
-Advocate informed action based on the free exchange of information and ideas.
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