Archive: Opinions

As a candidate for New York State Assembly, I’m constantly reminded of the beauty of our region. All of us who live in the 125th Assembly District benefit from the plentiful waters that surround us. Whether it’s majestic Cayuga Lake or one of its many tributaries, these valuable resources of clean water need to be protected.

In recent years, however, harmful algal blooms (HABs) have closed beaches, sickened animals and threatened our drinking water supplies. Research is still on-going into the exact causes of harmful algal blooms, but it is clear that nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen in runoff are a contributing factor.

Runoff into water bodies can be influenced by activities done on the land. But there are ways to preserve our water quality: Best Management Practices (BMPs) are methods that have been determined by research to reduce or prevent water pollution. Examples include using different ditching practices along roads, installing permeable pavement to decrease runoff of rainwater from storms, keeping septic systems in good working order, implementing agricultural practices like cover cropping, and planting grass strips between fields and ditches to filter runoff.

Agriculture is an important economic driver in Upstate New York, including in the 125th Assembly district, but our farmers are facing severe economic pressures. While farmers understand that BMPs reduce runoff from fields, these measures are sometimes expensive to implement. We cannot expect farmers to address these issues without adequate support from the state.

Local governments are in a similar bind when it comes to water quality. Many water treatment plants throughout the state are in poor repair and insufficiently sized to meet the needs of our population. Local governments can’t afford these extremely expensive upgrades without increasing already-high property taxes. While some state funds are available for sewer treatment and drinking water, the need far exceeds the demand.

Despite the enormous financial crisis now roiling our counties, cities and towns, we cannot force our municipalities to choose between protecting our drinking water and funding other essential services like roads, fire departments, and public safety. Wherever we may live in the 125th Assembly District, whether in a small city or a rural town, we all share a need for clean drinking water and a sustainable environment. I support the Right to Clean Water bill (A.3361-A / S.5334-A) and as your Assemblymember I will fight to ensure that clean water is a fundamental right for all New Yorkers.

Seph Murtagh
Ithaca
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