pollution

How does the city decide if beaches are clean enough to open?

For some New Yorkers, the official opening of the city’s beaches is the most anticipated part of Memorial Day Weekend. But the miles of sandy surf can’t always be taken for granted. Shutdowns for pollution are a regular feature of urban beachgoing, like last year, when at the height of summer a fire at a Manhattan […]

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Which city and state agencies let businesses watchdog themselves?

Companies and organizations could soon have huge incentives to report their own violations of anti-pollution regulations, if a draft “self-auditing” policy is implemented by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. Entities that use pesticides, treat wastewater and store hazardous chemicals could have penalties reduced or waived if they agree to report violations, according an internal […]

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