New York Outreach Program

Hospitals - The first meeting of the Healthcare Facility Task Force, which was formed as part of a Health Care Facility grant, was held on March 27, 2002. Task Force agenda items included an overview of the grant, summary of the follow-up survey, discussion of proposed ground rules, identification of problems related to health care facilities, and discussion of regulations that impact healthcare facilities. The second Health Care Task Force meeting was held on May 1, 2002. A survey was sent to the Task Force members asking them to categorize the issues that they feel should be addressed by the Task Force. Staff is working with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Healthcare Association of New York State (HANYS) to identify a representative from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) to work with the task force in incorporating environmental issues into their existing standards.

Lead Sinkers - Staff continues to conduct research and develop an education and outreach grant in order to reduce the use of lead fishing products. Staff researched other similar state initiatives and contacted partners and supporters for information and input. A grant was drafted in cooperation with the Divisions of Public Affairs, Education; and Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources.

Ski Facilities - Pollution Prevention staff met with the Ski Areas of New York (SANY) to discuss details of the ski area outreach program. A draft Ski Area Site Visit Checklist was updated to identify pollution prevention issues and concerns at ski areas. A meeting was scheduled with SANY Environmental Committee advisors in late June 2002, after checklist interviews with ski areas are conducted.

Toxics in Schools - P2 staff met several times with the Department of Health (DOH) and Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) resentatives to discuss contract and Memorandum of Understanding issues relating to EPA Pollution Prevention Grant proposal partnerships. The proposal strives to partner with NYS DOH, the Partnership to Reduce Mercury in Schools, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP), Monroe County Department of Environmental Services, BOCES and others, to demonstrate on-site technical assistance to schools via BOCES; provide statewide distribution of DOH/DEC educational materials; conduct P2 workshops for schools, solid waste professionals, county planners and related groups; and develop other general outreach.