RFP-UC19-060 - TECHNICAL CONSULTANT – ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REVIEW FOR THE LOWER ESOPUS

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) has been required by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) as lead agency pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) associated with its proposed modifications of the Catalum SPDES Permit for the Kensico Reservoir.  The modification includes proposed water releases from its Ashokan Reservoir to the Lower Esopus under an Interim Release Protocol (IRP), as well as other modifications that NYCDEP has proposed or may propose pursuant to the requirements of the terms of the Order on Consent entered into between NYCDEP and NYSDEC on October 4, 2013 (Order on Consent).  The Order on Consent provided funding to Ashokan Release Working Group (ARWG) to review the scope of the EIS as well as the EIS itself when completed or as materials are made available to the ARWG for review.  Ulster County is acting as fiscal agent for the funding provided and will utilize its procurement and payment procedures in obtaining the technical consultant. The Draft Scope of the EIS was released in April of 2014 and the Final Scope was released in March of 2017 (available at https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/79771.html).