SOURCE:
Alek Lewis - May 23, 2024
An amendment to the law that allows Suffolk County to increase its sales tax rate by 1/8 of a cent to finance the installation of sewer and advanced septic systems was signed into law today by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The governor’s signature on the amendment, negotiated by state and county lawmakers, sets the stage for the county to put a referendum on ballot in this year’s general election seeking voter approval of the sales tax increase.
The amended Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act provides that half the revenue from the tax will go towards wastewater treatment facilities, while the other half will help fund individual septic system projects. The law originally prioritized individual septic system projects, providing a 75-25 split in favor of the individual systems.
Governor Hochul, with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, Assembly Member Fred Thiele, State Sen. Monica Martinez and other officials after the governor signed the Suffolk County Wastewater Restoration Act May 23.
“Access to clean water is a basic need, and residents of Suffolk County deserve safe and reliable water infrastructure,” Hochul said in a statement. “I am committed to protecting the health of all New Yorkers, and this bill is a promise to future generations that we will do everything in our power to protect your well-being.”
The Suffolk County Legislature’s Republican majority last year blocked an effort by the Bellone administration to pass the local laws needed to establish the water quality fund and place the sales tax hike on the ballot. Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced in February that the county had reached a deal with state legislators on the revisions.
“We thank the Governor for her continued commitment to helping Suffolk County ensure clean water for generations to come,” Romaine said in a statement. “Today’s bill signing is a shining example of government working together for the people, who will now have their chance to vote for this important initiative.”
The amendment states that the county “has an imminent need to preserve this valuable water resource by reducing the amount of nitrogen discharged into the ground water by onsite systems. The full water cycle is impacted by increasing quantities of nutrients, pathogens, pesticides, volatile organic contaminants and saltwater intrusion, as well as several emerging threats such as prescription drugs and sea level rise.”
The initiative grew out of the Suffolk County Subwatersheds Wastewater Plan, which was adopted unanimously by the County Legislature in 2020 after a years-long development and environmental review process. The plan recommends replacing cesspools and septic systems with innovative/alternative (IA) onsite wastewater treatment systems, and using sewer systems where feasible. The plan was hailed by a robust cross-section of environmental, civic and business leaders, who urged county legislators during lengthy public hearings last year to enact the local laws necessary to establish the fund and put the sales tax measure on the ballot.
“Long Island’s quest for better management of wastewater to protect our drinking and coastal waters just took a giant leap forward,” Adrienne Esposito, executive director of the Long Island based Citizens Campaign for the Environment said in a statement. “It is truly exciting when you witness the culmination of good science, good leadership and good government come together to provide for the necessity of clean water.”