ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Assemblymember Anna Kelles is introducing a bill that could help reduce harmful algal blooms (HABs) in New York.

To combat the increase of toxic outbreaks in water bodies and their effect on the ecosystem, human and animal health, and the economy, Kelles, along with State Senator Rachel May, is bringing forward the Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Prevention Act. It would create a centralized reporting system, which the state currently lacks.

“Not only are HABs toxic to humans and animals and destructive to natural ecosystems, for years consistent summer-long outbreaks have been decimating the economy of many of our communities that depend on ecotourism dollars to support their local businesses,” said Kelles.

Kelles says the data would help legislators respond to the problem, including creating a grant program for prevention and mitigation.

“Year after year we are seeing ever-increasing harmful algal bloom outbreaks across the state,” said Kelles. “Last year alone we had over a thousand outbreaks spanning almost every county in the state including every Borough in NYC.”

The DEC reported 1,053 HABs in 204 water bodies across the state in 2022, and that number was likely underreported. Kelles believes a coordinated state reporting system will help.

“It is not enough to simply track and document the outbreaks,” said Kelles. “We need a comprehensive database of the outbreaks and the water quality conditions so that we can create effective and targeted strategies to intervene and prevent current and future outbreaks.”