New York state is disbursing $42 million to the Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition in an effort to mitigate harmful algal blooms in the Finger Lakes watershed area.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the coalition will begin implementing mitigation projects to drive down nutrient and sediment runoff in the 11-county Finger Lakes watershed area and protect water quality.

“Protecting New York’s water supply is a top priority for New York State,” Hochul said in a statement. “We are moving this funding quickly to accelerate watershed protection and restoration measures that will reduce nutrient inputs to the Finger Lakes, improve water quality, and help reduce the frequency of HABs, while building resilience to support New York’s agricultural industry. Clean water is critical to sustaining the health of our communities, protecting our environment, and supporting local economies in the Finger Lakes.”

The funding will be supported by the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 and other capital resources. The governor's office says it is part of a "commitment to develop on-the-ground actions necessary to address the controllable causes of harmful algal blooms."

Hochul's office says projects will focus on:

• Implementing the Agricultural Environmental Management program projects to help farmers reduce water pollution from agricultural activities

• Enhancing flood resiliency by stabilizing and protecting vulnerable streams, reducing sediment erosion, and upgrading culverts and implementing water control practices in steep road ditches to minimize sedimentation and runoff

• Supporting nutrient reduction strategies outlined in watershed-based plans

Officials say HABs are caused by many factors and can impact public health, recreation and the local economy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, harmful algal blooms can look like foam, scum, mats, or paint on the surface of the water. They can also grow underneath the water, making some harmful algal blooms hard to see.

The Eastern Finger Lakes Coalition covers 11 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and seven of the Finger Lakes – Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, Cayuga, Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco and their watersheds.