Latest news with #DepartmentofEnvironmentalProtection
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Florida DOH warns of toxic algal bloom in Fellsmere Water Management Area, Headwaters Lake
Toxic algae in Headwaters Lake prompted a May 30 health advisory for the waterway, which is also known as the Fellsmere Water Management Area. Cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, contained the toxin microcystin at a level of 0.43 on May 27, according to the Department of Environmental Protection. That was three days before the Florida Department of Health alerted the public to be careful around the lake. The toxin is harmful to people, pets and wildlife to touch, ingest or inhale when the level is 8 parts per billion, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. None of that information was included in the DOH health advisory. This is the third such advisory this month. DOH warned of toxic algae in Blue Cypress Lake on May 22, and of potentially toxic algae in the C-44 Canal on the Martin County side of Lake Okeechobee near Port Mayaca on May 21. Blue Cypress Lake has experienced toxic algae outbreaks in previous years, including 2018 and 2016. Biosolids were suspected of causing the latter. Pressley Ranch, which lies southwest of the lake, had spread partially treated human sewage sludge over 3,059 acres of pastureland to help grow Bahia grass for cattle grazing. Toxic algae is most common in the hotter, wetter, summer months. Blooms can appear as scum, foam or paint on the surface of the water in various colors. Some environmental factors that contribute to blooms are sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions, and excess nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. They come predominately from agricultural runoff but also urban development. Blooms can appear year-round, but are more frequent in summer and fall. Toxins can be harmful to the ecosystem, including fish and other aquatic animals, as well as people. Children, the elderly and those who are immunocompromised may be at risk even at low concentrations, DOH stated. Blue Cypress Lake: DOH warns of toxic algal bloom in this Indian River County lake Lake Okeechobee: DOH warns of algae in C-44 Canal in Martin County The DOH advises residents and visitors to take these precautions: Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercrafts, or come into contact with waters where there is a visible bloom. Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have any contact with algae or discolored or water that smells unpleasant. Do not cook or clean dishes with water contaminated by algae blooms. Boiling the water will not eliminate toxins. Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts, and cook fish thoroughly. Do not eat shellfish in waters with algae blooms. Report a bloom to DEP online or via its toll-free hotline at 855-305-3903. Report fish kills to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute at 800-636-0511. Tim O'Hara is TCPalm's environment reporter. Contact him at This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Florida DOH advisory warns of toxic algal bloom in Fellsmere lake
The Independent
4 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
US peregrine falcons adapt well to city living as their coastal cousins struggle with bird flu
After rebounding in recent decades due to conservation efforts, the number of once-imperiled peregrine falcons in the U.S. has been dropping again in some places due to the bird flu that has decimated other avian populations in recent years. Although falcons in coastal parts of the country have been hit hard, researchers say others that set up camp in some of the country's biggest cities appear to be thriving, showing the world's fastest bird has acclimated to living among people. They're also amassing fans, as legions of devotees follow along on webcams each spring as the falcons progress from hatching to leaving the nest. " Wildlife can really adapt to these harsh urban environments,' said Christopher Nadareski, research scientist with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection 'That's the key here, is that despite these harsh living conditions for them, they still find ways to survive.' A rise and fall in fortunes Peregrines are expert hunters who feast on other birds. With large eyes and bright yellow feet armed with needle-sharp talons, they fly to great heights before diving on unsuspecting prey, sometimes reaching speeds greater than 200 mph (322 kph). Their populations declined with the use of the pesticide DDT, which infiltrated the food chain and made their shells too weak to hatch. By the 1960s, peregrines disappeared from the eastern half of the country. But in 1972, DDT was banned, and conservationists began bringing the birds back from the brink. They came off the federal endangered species list in 1999. Nesting pairs in New Jersey, for example, went from fewer than five in 1980 to nearly 45 by 2021. Their numbers began dropping again, though, with the bird flu outbreak. The drop has been particularly severe among coastal peregrines, which feast on ducks, geese and other waterfowl that tend to congregate in great numbers and, thus, allow disease to spread more easily, said Kathy Clark, head of New Jersey's Endangered and Nongame Species Program. Although bird flu is suspected as the cause of many coastal New Jersey nests emptying out, researchers have only been able to recover some of the dead falcons' carcasses, she said, noting that many of those tested positive for the disease. Coastal peregrines in other states, including California and Virginia, have also seen declines, with bird flu suspected. It's not all doom and gloom, though, as New York Department of Conservation wildlife biologist Angelena Ross said enough juveniles are moving into coastal areas to begin replenishing the numbers. Movin' on up Peregrines that made nests among the glass and steel of big cities seem to have avoided the worst of the bird flu outbreak decimating their country cousins. City falcons, which eat songbirds and pigeons among other birds, haven't seen the same declines, Clark said. And they've successfully added buildings and bridges to the their natural habitats, which include places like the Delaware Water Gap and the Palisades overlooking New York from the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. Some even made a home on the busy George Washington Bridge, where scientists recently fitted chicks with anklets for tracking. New York state conservation officials estimate that the Big Apple has the largest urban population of peregrines around. 'We're starting to see increases in success so that in New York City, we are at the point where we're probably the most concentrated, populated peregrine falcon nesting in the whole world at this point. We have about 30 nesting pairs,' Nadareski said. 'Symbol of hope' The bird's popularity, tethered in large part to its status as the world's fastest, has soared recently, with thousands following live cams of peregrines around the country. With plenty of downtime between moments of drama — a mauled woodpecker here, a blue jay head there — the chicks start mimicking their parents, flapping their wings and grabbing nest detritus with their talons around May. May is also when East Coast biologists band the birds so they can be tracked. In New Jersey, Wurst and Clark were among the crew that recently ventured high up onto the roof of the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth to retrieve and four young chicks for banding as their parents swooped at them, using feather dusters to ward off the angry birds. 'Some individuals are more aggressive than others,' said Ben Wurst, a biologist with Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, at a recent chick banding in Elizabeth. 'Normally they just kind of bonk you." They put the young birds in canvas totes to carry off the roof for a checkup and to attach their bracelets, which have an individual number so they can be tracked. Three females and one male chick made up the clutch, Clark said. 'These birds are going to be the ones to repopulate — hopefully," Clark said. 'It's a great symbol of hope." ___
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Health
- Associated Press
US peregrine falcons adapt well to city living as their coastal cousins struggle with bird flu
ELIZABETH, N.J. (AP) — After rebounding in recent decades due to conservation efforts, the number of once-imperiled peregrine falcons in the U.S. has been dropping again in some places due to the bird flu that has decimated other avian populations in recent years. Although falcons in coastal parts of the country have been hit hard, researchers say others that set up camp in some of the country's biggest cities appear to be thriving, showing the world's fastest bird has acclimated to living among people. They're also amassing fans, as legions of devotees follow along on webcams each spring as the falcons progress from hatching to leaving the nest. 'Wildlife can really adapt to these harsh urban environments,' said Christopher Nadareski, research scientist with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection 'That's the key here, is that despite these harsh living conditions for them, they still find ways to survive.' A rise and fall in fortunes Peregrines are expert hunters who feast on other birds. With large eyes and bright yellow feet armed with needle-sharp talons, they fly to great heights before diving on unsuspecting prey, sometimes reaching speeds greater than 200 mph (322 kph). Their populations declined with the use of the pesticide DDT, which infiltrated the food chain and made their shells too weak to hatch. By the 1960s, peregrines disappeared from the eastern half of the country. But in 1972, DDT was banned, and conservationists began bringing the birds back from the brink. They came off the federal endangered species list in 1999. Nesting pairs in New Jersey, for example, went from fewer than five in 1980 to nearly 45 by 2021. Their numbers began dropping again, though, with the bird flu outbreak. The drop has been particularly severe among coastal peregrines, which feast on ducks, geese and other waterfowl that tend to congregate in great numbers and, thus, allow disease to spread more easily, said Kathy Clark, head of New Jersey's Endangered and Nongame Species Program. Although bird flu is suspected as the cause of many coastal New Jersey nests emptying out, researchers have only been able to recover some of the dead falcons' carcasses, she said, noting that many of those tested positive for the disease. Coastal peregrines in other states, including California and Virginia, have also seen declines, with bird flu suspected. It's not all doom and gloom, though, as New York Department of Conservation wildlife biologist Angelena Ross said enough juveniles are moving into coastal areas to begin replenishing the numbers. Movin' on up Peregrines that made nests among the glass and steel of big cities seem to have avoided the worst of the bird flu outbreak decimating their country cousins. City falcons, which eat songbirds and pigeons among other birds, haven't seen the same declines, Clark said. And they've successfully added buildings and bridges to the their natural habitats, which include places like the Delaware Water Gap and the Palisades overlooking New York from the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. Some even made a home on the busy George Washington Bridge, where scientists recently fitted chicks with anklets for tracking. New York state conservation officials estimate that the Big Apple has the largest urban population of peregrines around. 'We're starting to see increases in success so that in New York City, we are at the point where we're probably the most concentrated, populated peregrine falcon nesting in the whole world at this point. We have about 30 nesting pairs,' Nadareski said. 'Symbol of hope' The bird's popularity, tethered in large part to its status as the world's fastest, has soared recently, with thousands following live cams of peregrines around the country. With plenty of downtime between moments of drama — a mauled woodpecker here, a blue jay head there — the chicks start mimicking their parents, flapping their wings and grabbing nest detritus with their talons around May. May is also when East Coast biologists band the birds so they can be tracked. In New Jersey, Wurst and Clark were among the crew that recently ventured high up onto the roof of the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth to retrieve and four young chicks for banding as their parents swooped at them, using feather dusters to ward off the angry birds. 'Some individuals are more aggressive than others,' said Ben Wurst, a biologist with Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, at a recent chick banding in Elizabeth. 'Normally they just kind of bonk you.' They put the young birds in canvas totes to carry off the roof for a checkup and to attach their bracelets, which have an individual number so they can be tracked. Three females and one male chick made up the clutch, Clark said. 'These birds are going to be the ones to repopulate — hopefully,' Clark said. 'It's a great symbol of hope.' ___ Associated Press videojournalist Joseph Frederick in New York contributed to this report.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Victim in boat explosion on Hudson River identified as veteran DEP engineer
The man who tragically lost his life after a waste-water treatment boat exploded on the Hudson River has been identified as Chief Marine Diesel Engineer Raymond Feige, Department of Environmental Protection city officials announced Sunday. Feige, 59, died Saturday morning after an explosion on the DEP-owned vessel which he was working on, cops said. The vessel, named the Hunts Point, was undergoing maintenance and docked next to the North River Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility near W. 138th St. in West Harlem. Feige was hailed as a dedicated employee who worked for the DEP for 33 years in the marine section of operations. He started working for the DEP in 1991, and 'brought deep technical expertise and unwavering dedication to the city's critical wastewater operations,' according to a statement from the DEP. 'His bond with his shipmates and love of working on the water kept him committed to the fleet for more than three decades.' In the statement, DEP Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala praised Feige as 'a respected engineer and a steady, beloved colleague who will be deeply missed.' 'For more than three decades he worked at DEP in a job that is largely unseen by most New Yorkers but is critical to keeping the city running, and we are grateful for [his] service,' Aggarwala stated. 'Please continue to keep Ray's family and colleagues in your thoughts during this difficult time.' Feige's wife, Tanja Feige, was still reeling from the unexpected loss Sunday night. She spoke exclusively to a Daily News reporter from the home she shared with her husband in Flushing, now unexpectedly empty. 'We're in mourning right now, we're in shock. We miss him tremendously,' the widow said. 'He was just a wonderful, wonderful man. It's a we all have a big hole in our hearts.' 'Raymond Feige was a very good man, a great husband, a wonderful father who cared very much for his three daughters. A great worker, he was very ambitious, and he was the epitome of what God meant when he created a man,' Tanja Feige said. Feige attended Brooklyn Technical High School and graduated from SUNY Maritime in 1988. In addition to being passionate about his work, he enjoyed going fishing, vacationing with his family, and barbecue, Tanja Feige said. The family is still working out funeral plans. One other worker aboard the boat remains hospitalized. The cause of the explosion is being investigated.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Hudson river sewage boat explosion kills one worker, injured two
A blast on a sewage transport boat in West Harlem resulted in tragedy. A Department of Environmental Protection worker died. Two others sustained injuries. The incident occurred near the North River Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility. Authorities are investigating the cause of the explosion. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed no pollution in the Hudson River. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A longtime New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) worker was killed and two others injured Saturday morning when a sewage transport boat exploded while docked on the Hudson River near the North River Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility in West blast happened at approximately 10:30 a.m. off of 135th Street, where three employees of the DEP were doing maintenance work on board the vessel, which transports raw sewage from the city to treatment facilities. One of the tank holds exploded, blowing black smoke into the air and spewing raw sewage all over the boat deck, said New York City Fire Department Deputy Assistant Chief David workers arrived to discover that one worker, a 59-year-old man with 33 years of service with the city, had been knocked by the explosion and was pinned between the pier and the ship. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other staff members were hospitalized, while one refused medical U.S. Coast Guard reported the blast was "reportedly associated with hot work on a boat in a docked status," meaning with open flame or sparks. The cause is still being investigated by city and federal Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala mourned the loss profoundly and said, "The DEP family is grieving today. He was an experienced and respected member of the Bureau of Wastewater Treatment, and his long service of decades to DEP is a testament to his dedication to DEP's mission." Mayor Eric Adams also went ahead to describe the victim as "a devoted public servant who spent 33 years of his life serving New York City" and expressed his condolences to his family and was no environmental effect reported from the explosion by officials, and treatment operations at the wastewater plant remained unaffected. Hazmat teams decontaminated the area and conducted methane level tests to make sure it was safe to continue. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that they didn't find any pollution in the Hudson River after the tragedy occurs as the city of New York marks Fleet Week, a time when maritime safety and public service contributions are particularly in the news. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
