This is an advisory message.  Due to this week's substantial rain, bacterial counts are high in many parts of NY harbor as expected. The Citizens Water Quality testing program results for samples taken Thursday morning (after Wednesday's big rain but before Friday's) show Enterococcus colonies exceeding EPA standards for swimming, in Hallets Cove and many other sampling sites.  We have therefore, in keeping with our promotion of safety for our paddling guests, canceled our walk-up paddling program at Hallets Cove for tomorrow. How does this affect our "Here to Hellgate and Back Again" paddle?  The trip is still on.  However, it [...]

Please spread the word that there will be no community sponsored public walk up paddling programming in Hallets Cove on Saturday July 21, 2012.  We regret to inform all concerned that harmful bacteria counts are very high in the harbor due to CSO (Combined Sewage Outflow) which occurs after heavy rains, as we have been experiencing in our area for the past several days. Independent readings of bacterial counts in the surrounding waterways confirm high counts of potentially harmful bacteria.   Be advised that exposure to skin, eyes, and mucus membranes--such as the kind of water contact typically involved when paddling [...]