News from Our Neighbors

REPORT FINDS HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD IN DRINKING WATER AT ALCOA EAST IN MASSENA, CANTON MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY

Reprinted from Northcountrynow.com

(Friday, March 18, 2016) A USA Today investigative report has identified three water systems in St. Lawrence County with high levels of lead.

The story says water systems at Alcoa East measure at 23.4 to 25.8 parts per billion and at Boyden Brook Mobile Home Community measures at 76 PPB. A third property only identified as “Snell Complex” came in at 16.5 PPB.

The Environmental Protection Agency says water is not safe to drink above 15 PPB.

To read the story and see the map go to:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/03/16/how-water-systems-identified/81281114/

To find St. Lawrence County-specific data, scroll to the interactive map with the subhead “Lead in the water: A nationwide look.” Click New York State on the map, then type “St. Lawrence” into the search box.

GOVERNOR CUOMO BANS NON-ESSENTIAL STATE TRAVEL TO NORTH CAROLINA

(March 29, 2016) Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed an executive order banning all non-essential state travel to North Carolina. The order requires all New York State agencies, departments, boards and commissions to immediately review all requests for state funded or state sponsored travel to the state of North Carolina, and bar any such publicly funded travel that is not essential to the enforcement of state law or public health and safety.

The ban, which takes effect immediately, follows North Carolina’s enactment of a law which bars transgender individuals from using restrooms appropriate for their gender identities, excludes sexual orientation and gender identity from state anti-discrimination protections, and prohibits municipalities from extending those protections to LGBT citizens.

“In New York, we believe that all people – regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation – deserve the same rights and protections under the eyes of the law,” said Governor Cuomo. “From Stonewall to marriage equality, our state has been a beacon of hope and equality for the LGBT community, and we will not stand idly by as misguided legislation replicates the discrimination of the past. As long as there is a law in North Carolina that creates the grounds for discrimination against LGBT people, I am barring non-essential state travel to that state.”

In 2015, Governor Cuomo banned non-essential state travel to the state of Indiana after that state’s legislature passed a controversial religious freedom measure that did not prohibit discrimination against LGBT citizens. The Indiana measure was later amended to prevent it from being used to discriminate against LGBT residents and travelers in Indiana, and that travel ban was lifted.

MANDATORY ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING TAKES EFFECT IN NEW YORK STATE

Beginning on March 27, all prescriptions written in New York State must now be transmitted electronically from the prescriber directly to the pharmacy. This requirement is a key component of New York’s I-STOP initiative that is focused on helping curb the abuse of prescription medication throughout the state.

As of March 27, prescriptions will no longer be handwritten or called in to the pharmacy, except in limited situations such as during disasters, technological or electrical failures, and other exceptional circumstances. In exceptional circumstances requiring written prescriptions, prescribers must still use Official New York State Prescription forms and document the reason for use of the paper script each time. Prescribers with waivers are exceptions to the e-prescribe mandate. Patients seeking the best prices for their medications can still comparison-shop before asking their doctor to send their prescriptions to their preferred pharmacy.

I-STOP requires prescribers to consult the Prescription Monitoring Program Registry when writing prescriptions for Schedule II, III, and IV controlled substances. The Registry provides practitioners with direct, secure access to view dispensed controlled substance prescription histories for patients in real time. It is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week via an application on the Health Commerce System. The data is further used to identify potential sources of prescription drug diversion or abuse, including prescription fraud. As of the end of 2015, I-STOP has led to a 90 percent decrease in the number of “doctor shoppers” or patients who visit multiple prescribers and pharmacies to obtain prescriptions for controlled substances within a three-month time period.

Patients with questions about e-prescriptions can access information here: http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/1098.pdf

DEC REMINDS NEW YORKERS THAT RESIDENTIAL BRUSH BURNING IS PROHIBITED THROUGH MAY 14

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds New Yorkers that with warming temperatures and dry conditions, residential brush burning in towns with less than 20,000 residents is prohibited from March 16 through May 14. With the lack of snow cover over much of the state and unseasonably warm temperatures forecasted, experts believe conditions for wild fires will be heightened in the coming weeks.

DEC posts a fire danger rating forecast map on a daily basis on DEC’s website. Currently, fire conditions in the northern part of the state are low risk, however the Hudson Valley and Long Island regions are experiencing moderate risk conditions.

Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in the state. When temperatures are warmer and the past fall’s debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation.

Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave fires unattended and must completely extinguish them before leaving the area. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round.

Some towns, primarily in and around the Adirondack Park and Catskill Park, are designated “fire towns,” and open burning is prohibited year-round in these municipalities unless an individual or group has a written permit from DEC. To find out whether a municipality is designated a “fire town” or to obtain a permit, contact the appropriate DEC regional office. A list of regional offices is available online on DEC’s website.

Violators of the open burning state regulation are subject to both criminal and civil enforcement actions, with a minimum fine of $500 for a first offense. To report environmental law violations call 1-800-TIPP DEC (1-800-847-7332), or report online on DEC’s website.