(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today announced that Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake and the Seneca River are now "no discharge zones," which means that boats are completely banned from discharging sewage into the water.

The EPA reviewed DEC's proposal to establish no discharge zones for these water bodies and determined that there are adequate facilities in the area for boats to pump out their sewage. Boaters must now dispose of their sewage at specially-designated pump-out stations around Lakes Cayuga and Seneca. This action is part of a joint EPA and New York State strategy to eliminate the discharge of sewage from boats into the state's waterways.

Discharges of sewage from boats can contain harmful levels of pathogens and chemicals such as formaldehyde, phenols and chlorine, which have a negative impact on water quality, pose a risk to people's health and impair marine life. The EPA reviewed public comments on its initial determination for the establishment of a no discharge zone, which was proposed in April 2015. The no discharge zone is in effect today, following its publication in the Federal Register.

The no discharge zone includes Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, the Seneca River, and the connected navigable tributaries. Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake are water bodies of unique ecological, economic and public health significance as well as drinking water sources.

Establishing a "no discharge zone" for these lakes would help protect the water quality and marine life. This action is part of an EPA/New York State Department of Environmental Conservation strategy to eliminate the discharge of sewage from boats into the state's waterways. New York State water bodies that have already been established as "no discharge zones" include Lakes Erie, Ontario, Champlain, and George, the New York State Canal System and the Hudson River, among others.

To read EPA's final determination or for more information about no discharge zones, go to http://www.epa.gov/region02/water/ndz/index.html

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