NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document
JOEL A. MIELE SR., P.E.
COMMISSIONER (718)595-6600 -
CHARLES G. STURCKEN, ESQ. FAX (718) 595-3477
CHIEF OF STAFF/SPECIAL COUNSEL
BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Geoffrey Ryan
October 4,2001 (718) 595-6600
01-42
AMERICORPS WORKERS TEAM UP WITH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AND SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been
employing four AmeriCorps members in its upstate watershed this year in a unique
partnership with the Greene, Ulster and Delaware County Soil and Water Conservation
Districts (SWCD) and a locally based youth employment agency - the Youth Resource
Development Corporation.
"This partnership benefits DEP and the Soil^^Water Conservation Districts, by
providing additional staffing and developing local expertise in recognizing and evaluating
stream problems,” said DEP Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr., P.E. “Plus, it provides
invaluable work experience to recent college graduates in the field of water resources.”
The ten-month-long term of the AmeriCorps members’ assignment allows them
time to work on all aspects of these stewardship projects, from data collection and
analysis, to public meetings and fieldwork. The AmeriCorps members have been
working since January in the offices of the three SWCD, as well as the DEP office in
Kingston. They received hands-on technical training in stream surveying. Geographical
Information System (GIS) mapping and biological monitoring. They are currently
assisting the Districts and DEP Stream Management Program staff with surveying
eroding stream banks and beds; prioritizing these areas for future restoration work;
planting appropriate riparian vegetation after stream restoration work is complete (also
known as bioengineering); and evaluating the condition of streams to improve and protect
fish habitat, as well aS water quality.
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59-17 JUNCTION BOULEVARD, 19TH FLOOR, CORONA, NEW YORK 11368-5107
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