Town of Pleasant Valley - James Baird State Park - 2024 Irrigation Pond Algae Treatment

Negative Declaration

Dutchess County - The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS OPRHP), as lead agency, has determined that the proposed James Baird State Park - 2024 Irrigation Pond Algae Treatment will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The James Baird State Park's approximately 3 acre irrigation pond experiences algal problems that interferes with irrigation operations and creates a nuisance on the golf course. The pond is a relatively new waterbody (constructed in 2014). The pond has no surface water inflows, but is instead fed by three wells. Water levels in the pond are maintained by balancing well input with irrigation output. There is an emergency overflow. NYS OPRHP proposes to treat the pond with a dye that will reduce available sunlight to the algae and reduce algal growth. Dyes degrade in sunlight. Repeated treatment may be required to provide significant algal reduction. The product chosen will be a New York State registered pesticide. Product will be applied by a certified applicator. Product chosen will be safe for incidental contact with vertebrates and safe to apply to turf grass. No clearing of vegetation (besides algae) is proposed. No ground disturbance is proposed.. The project is located James Baird State Park at 14 Maintenance Lane in the Town of Pleasant Valley, New York.