ALBANY On Feb. 10, the New York Water Environment Association, a non-profit organization representing leaders in water quality management in New York State, presented Senator Michelle Hinchey the prestigious Nelson A. Rockefeller Award. It recognized her commitment to clean water initiatives and to investing in New York’s aging water infrastructure.
Senator Michelle Hinchey said that I am incredibly humbled by the New York Water Environment Association’s recognition of my work on water quality issues worthy of the prestigious Nelson A. Rockefeller Award.
Water is the most precious resource on Earth. This is why I have made protecting it a top priority within my office. New Yorkers have the right to water. This is my personal work. My career began as a grassroots organizer for Environment New York. I was inspired by my father, who was a prominent voice in this fight. I will continue the important work of those who have gone before me, and NYWEA has given me this award. I will continue to make real, meaningful improvements in New York’s aging system until everyone has access to clean water.
Patricia Cerro-Reehil is the Executive Director of NY Water Environment Association. She stated that NYWEA was honored to present Senator Michelle Hinchey the Nelson A. Rockefeller Award. This Award honors Nelson A. Rockefellers brilliant leadership. He proposed, promoted, and implemented the State Pure Waters Program. The Federal government was encouraged to follow his lead, which culminated in the 1972 Clean Water Act. This award is given to Senator on the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act is very meaningful. NYWEA has a special historical significance in awarding her this award, as her father received the same award in 2001. This award is one NYWEA’s most prestigious and is given to an elected official who makes significant and meaningful contributions to effective water quality programs.
Senator Hinchey supports clean water initiatives, including:
Initiating the Safe Water Infrastructure Action Program to provide steady funding to municipalities for water system upgrades and repairs. (S3968A)
To lead a bipartisan legislative forum on clean water infrastructure funding reform to identify clean water problems in municipalities and to find solutions to fix New York’s aging water systems.
Billing legislation to expand water testing in schools for lead and other contaminants, making school water safer and cleaner for students. (S2122A)
New York’s first list for emerging contaminants was passed. This law requires every water utility in the state to test for these contaminants and notify the public if they are detected. (S1759A)
Working with advocates to prevent a pumped storage unit from being built on Ashokan Reservoir. This would be a threat to the New York City Watershed.
The Green Amendment is a champion for clean air, clean waters, and a healthy environment in the New York State Constitution.
Her colleagues helped her secure a record $300,000,000 for the Environmental Protection Fund. This fund supports a variety of local environmental projects, including protecting farmland and conserving our watersheds.
Secured $4.5 million for climate resilient farming programs and $18,000,000 for farmland protection.
Reinstatement of the Environmental Bond Act worth $3 billion for November 2022 voter acceptance. This would allow the state and communities to reduce pollution, improve water infrastructure, preserve open space, and build resilience to extreme storms.
Sponsoring the Soil Health and Climate Resiliency Act.
Catskill Park received its first-ever funding stream, which placed it on par with Adirondacks. The additional $100,000 will be used to expand the number Catskill Park Stewards.
Introduce legislation to create the Catskill Park Coordinator (S6421), within the Department of Environmental Conservation, to address natural resource concerns and public access issues throughout the Catskill ecosystem.
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