Governor Paterson Announces $8 Million for Clean Water Project for the Village of Sackets Harbor

ALBANY, NY (08/28/2009)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today announced that the Village of Sackets Harbor in Jefferson County will receive an $8 million package of clean water funding, including $2 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The stimulus funding, combined with a $4.2 million, zero-interest loan via the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, will pay for the Village to construct a modern, energy-efficient wastewater treatment facility and replace portions of its 80 year-old collection system. This project will service 791 residents and 15 businesses, saving Village taxpayers over an estimated $3.5 million in interest and energy costs, while improving the water quality of Lake Ontario.

Governor Paterson said: "This is a great investment for Jefferson County that will save local taxpayers money for years to come. Upgrading wastewater removal systems is critical to public health, environmental quality, tourism, and to our economic recovery. I would like to thank President Obama and the New York Congressional Delegation for these federal dollars that will help support job creation in the North Country and make critical infrastructure improvements in the Village of Sackets Harbor on the shores of Lake Ontario."

The new Sackets Harbor Wastewater Treatment Facility will have greater capacity to reliably and properly treat increased flows caused by heavy rains and groundwater infiltration. The plant will also implement a new treatment process, which will perform all of the facility's treatment processes in one tank, saving the Village equipment costs and producing cleaner, safer discharges into Lake Ontario. The new treatment facility will also incorporate a number of "green" technologies including, energy-efficient lighting, porous pavement, rain gardens, and solar panels. Construction is expected to begin February 2010 and will be completed by May 2011; at which time, the Village's current wastewater treatment facility will be decommissioned. A portion of the old facility's property will be returned to the Sackets Harbor Battlefield Site, a State park.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and Environmental Facilities Corporation Board Chairman Pete Grannis said: "Like hundreds of other communities across New York, Sackets Harbor has struggled to maintain a water infrastructure system that has outlived its useful life. Today, we are making an investment in the people of Sackets Harbor, in the economic future of this community and in the environmental quality of Lake Ontario and the Black River. Thanks to the efforts of Governor Paterson and our Congressional Delegation, stimulus money for clean water projects is flowing into New York to help protect public health and the environment, and create jobs."

The New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation will provide financing for the majority of the project. In addition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority may provide additional monies for innovative, energy-saving upgrades from revenues derived from its Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative carbon credit sales. The Authority has worked closely with the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation to identify Recovery Act eligible, "green" technologies at treatment facilities throughout the State. The Corporation will calculate the Village's grant for these upgrades following a review by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Acting President Matthew Millea said: "This is a long overdue and truly innovative clean water project for the residents of Sackets Harbor. Governor Paterson fought hard to include funding for projects like this in the federal stimulus program and today we see the results of his efforts. We are thrilled to partner with this community and in particular applaud their efforts to include solar panels, rain gardens and porous pavement parking areas in their treatment plant design."

New York State received a record $432 million grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. To date, Governor Paterson has announced 33 projects that will benefit from this notable program totaling over $300 million. As mandated by the Recovery Act, 20 percent of each state's allocation must fund water quality projects that use innovative approaches to energy and water efficiency, incorporate "green" infrastructure, and use innovative treatment technologies. For more information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program, please visit www.recovery.ny.gov.

The following quotes were provided in support of the Village of Sackets Harbor clean water project:

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said: "Updating our aging water infrastructure is a critical part of economic growth in Jefferson County. This funding through the Economic Recovery Act will ensure that our water infrastructure is up to snuff to provide safe water to residents, and create jobs in the process."

U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee said: "This is great news for the Village of Sackets Harbor. Upgrading wastewater removal systems is critical to public health, environmental quality and to our economic recovery. These federal dollars from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund will help make the critical infrastructure improvements needed to promote our local economy. I will continue working with Senator Schumer and our Congressional Delegation to make sure New York gets its fair share from the federal government."

U.S. Representative John M. McHugh (NY-23) said: "Today's event highlights the critical partnership between the federal government and the State of New York to ensure that vital funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act helps put New Yorkers back to work. These monies will be used for significant improvements in the Sackets Harbor community."

U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Director for Rural Development in New York, Jill Harvey said: "USDA Rural Development's Recovery Act funding is making a difference for Sackets Harbor and other communities throughout upstate New York. I'm especially pleased that we were able to join with our many state partners on this project, which will protect water quality in both the Village and Lake Ontario."

New York State Senator Darrel J. Aubertine said: "The village of Sackets Harbor has done a great job promoting economic development with an eye toward preserving the character of this community. While working with village officials to secure funding, it became clear that a state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible wastewater system would enable continued development in this historic village. Targeting stimulus funding for this project and others like it in Northern New York will help the regional economy rebound and grow."

New York State Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava said: "I am pleased that the Village of Sackets Harbor will be receiving $2 million in funding to modernize their water treatment facility. This is a much-needed upgrade to our local infrastructure. The incorporation of many green technologies will also ensure we are taking an environmentally-conscious approach that keeps our quality of life in mind. I look forward to the completion of this project in a timely fashion."

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President Francis J. Murray Jr. said: "A unique opportunity exists to address energy efficiency and climate change by leveraging federal economic stimulus funds to install infrastructure that will benefit the environment and enhance the health of the water in New York State. NYSERDA is pleased to work with Sackets Harbor and the Environmental Facility Corporation to provide technical guidance and funding to ensure these plants are constructed with high energy efficiency standards. This will allow them to minimize carbon emissions and strengthen their economic and environmental performance."

Village of Sackets Harbor Mayor Eric Constance said: "We as a Village are very thankful for the opportunity to participate in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. We are in need of a new Wastewater Treatment facility and without this program; it would have put an economic hardship on the residents of Sackets Harbor."

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Posted Friday August 28, 2009 at 10:30 am by New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation