Cuomo:
“These are poisons and toxins …”
NEW PALTZ – The Governor of New York is launching a war against slime. Governor Andrew Cuomo visited SUNY New Paltz on Tuesday to launch the first ever Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Summit, attended by hundreds of top scientists nationwide.
A total of four summits are scheduled in New York, to address the deadly biological toxin which has plagued public lakes and ponds during recent years. The cause of the problem, along with possible solutions, has eluded experts to date.
Cuomo promised $65 million in his 2018 State of the State address to help tackle the issue.
Ulster County Legislator Manna Jo Greene (D, Rosendale), environmental
coordinator for Clearwater, was one of the many participants at the summit.
She applauded Cuomo’s initiative and vision.
“The problem has multiple causes, and addressing it is complicated,” Greene said. “But using good science, and the force of government resources and, where necessary, laws to address it, is a major step forward. These are poisons and toxins; they’re growing at a frightening rate,”
Thirty-five HAB cases were identified statewide in 2015. The following year, HABs were found in drinking water supplies. By 2017, 100 beaches were closed, Cuomo said. “What causes HABs? Damned if we know. That’s why you’re here.”
Cuomo said the plan is to focus on studying 12 of the most problematic lakes statewide, and figure out ways to nip HABs in the bud.
“We don’t even fully understand the problem,” the governor said. “And when you’re talking about the quality of drinking water, you’re talking about the fundamental quality of health, in this state, and on this planet.” Cuomo noted said that other states are dealing with similar issues.
The governor said their approach is different. “Why? We are being much more aggressive. Why? Because we are much more aggressive; we’re New Yorkers. Also, the canary in the coalmine, I don’t believe in denial as a life strategy. You will never solve a problem which you fail to recognize.”
Cuomo maintained New York State originally launched the environmental movement, was the first nationwide to ban DDT, acid rain, and form environmental conservation agencies. “This challenge, my friends, is the forefront of this HAB issue, and this is the first meeting in the State of New York, and one of the first meetings in the nation, where people actually came together to address it,” he said.
