Date: January 25, 2021
Contact:
Joe Coffey, Commissioner Albany Water Department
(518) 434-5300
For Immediate Release
ALBANY, NY – The City of Albany’s Tivoli Park Preserve “Stream Daylighting” Project has received honorable mention in the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water State Revolving Fund’s George F. Ames Performance and Innovation in the SRF Creating Environmental Success (PISCES) program. This program recognizes CWSRF assistance recipients for exceptional projects and highlights them nationally. Participating state programs each nominate one project that exemplifies one or more of the following evaluation criteria: Innovative Financing, System Partnerships, Community Engagement, Environmental and Public Health Protection, and Problem Solving.
During 2019, the green infrastructure practice of Stream Daylighting was used in Tivoli Park Preserve to restore a 1,500-foot portion of Patroon Creek to a naturalized condition. The section of creek previously flowed underground through a large pipe. During the process of daylighting, the pipe was removed, and a stream corridor was constructed in its place. The new stream will help reduce flooding, improve water quality, and create important habitat for various species of aquatic life and pollinator species; all the while providing a unique recreational opportunity for the surrounding community.
“We are honored to receive this recognition as it demonstrates our commitment to innovation and protecting the environmental and public health, all while engaging the community.” said Albany Water Commissioner Joe Coffey. “We are extremely proud of this project and that it was acknowledged at a national level by the EPA.”
“Once again, the investment our Water Department has made in installing green infrastructure, has proven to be successful and been recognized nationally,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “Thank you to Commissioner Joe Coffey and our hard-working Albany Water Department employees for their dedication to this long overdue project that has restored this creek and surroundings to its natural beauty and provided additional recreational opportunities in our beautiful Tivoli Preserve. This prestigious recognition is well deserved.”
EPA’s PISCES program celebrates innovation demonstrated by clean water State Revolving Fund programs and assistance recipients. Thirty-three projects by state or local governments, public utilities, and private entities were honored. Read more details about the winning projects.
Tivoli Lake Preserve Daylighting Background
The clay tile pipe that was removed during the Patroon Creek Project was over 90 years old and deteriorating. Water flow often exceeded the capacity of the pipe, creating fast water flows that would flood and washout trails, erode stream banks and destroy existing habitats. The new green infrastructure will control water flow in the creek and any overflow during wet weather conditions will enter Tivoli Lake. This will mitigate localized flooding and will also greatly improve the water quality of Tivoli Lake and help prevent the overgrowth of algae.
The Project cost approximately $3 million, with the bulk of the funding provided from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) in the amount of $1 million under a Water Quality Improvement Grant, and from the Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC) in the amount of $1.1 million under a Green Infrastructure Grant Program.
The Patroon Creek Project created a half-mile long path along the creek, complete with educational signage, which now connect to other trails within the Preserve. These assets have been proven valuable for outdoor recreation and science education in the Preserve that has previously been underutilized. More information on the Patroon Creek Project.
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