228
PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH* WALTER R. LYNN, M.S. Chairman New York State Water Resources Planning Council Ithaca, New York
Good morning! I am certain all of us have mixed feelings about this event. On the one hand, we are pleased to participate in a symposium that seeks to recognize and acknowledge David Axelrod's many direct contributions to, and constructive influence on, improving the health of the people of New York State. On the other hand, because we deeply regret the unseemly circumstances that have befallen David and his family, all of us would prefer if there were no reason for this assembly. In my remarks I will focus upon the vital role David has played in developing and promoting policies and actions in environmental health. With your forbearance, I will talk about his role in the matter of drinking water supplies. Needless to say, the quality and quantity of drinking water is a matter of considerable environmental health significance. On May 30, 1984, the New York State Legislature amended the Environmental Conservation Law by adding Title 29, establishing the Water Resources Planning Council, its organization and its duties in respect to developing water resources management strategies for New York State. The council consists of 15 members including the Commissioners of Health, Agriculture and Markets, Commerce, Energy, Environmental Conservation, Transportation, the Public Service Commission, Secretary of State, and seven so called public members. I was appointed a member and chairman of the council somewhat late in the process-like January 1986-but fortunately David Axelrod and Hank Williams (then Commissioner of DEC), together with members of their staffs and some of the other council members, undertook to get things organized and moving long before I came upon the scene. * Presented as part of a symposium, Dr. David Axelrod and the Health of the Public: Looking Ahead, cosponsored by the New York State Department of Health, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation October 23, 1991.
Bull. N.Y. Acad. Med.
SYMPOSIUM
SYMPOSIT1-1-
JM
229 229-:m
While on a statewide basis New York is clearly water rich, it does have its problems. The New York City metropolitan area is under continuing stress both with regard to its supply of water, as well as the quality of its water supply. The legislative history of the Council suggests that the circumstances surrounding the New York City and Long Island water supply provided much of the motivation for creating a body to consider statewide and regional water resource planning strategies, i.e., action plans for the future. It is important to talk about New York City and its water supply because it was a major issue for Commissioner David Axelrod. As Commissioner, he was obligated to address not only the short run problems of drought and water shortages, but also the longer term issues associated with assuring an adequate supply of water for well into the twenty-first century. In the '70s, his work on the Love Canal disaster brought him to the attention of Dr. Cahill and Governor Carey. According to my colleague Hank Dullea, David was highly regarded by the governor, in part, because he was wise enough in that and subsequent issues to give the governor sufficient advanced notice when problems involved matters of policy-especially if they were likely to be politically contentious. David always did his organizational homework. These skills and talents were also recognized by Governor Cuomo. For example, Governor Cuomo called upon him to conduct the investigation of the bridge collapse over Schoharie Creek. The Department of Health has within its own organization excellent technical people who could assist in the effort, and David quickly brought their talents to bear in helping him to organize the investigation. After acquiring the records and other relevant design information from the Thruway Authority, he quickly marshalled and recruited the best people with the necessary skills to analyze and resolve the technical issues that were required. That attitude and technique was characteristic of the way that David approached all of the tasks on his plate. Back to the waterfront! What are the drinking water supply problems in New York City and why does it have them? The answer appears to be shortfalls in precipitation, coupled with increases in demand driven by a growth in population and/or consumption on a per capita basis-an ideal and classical formula for droughts. The 20-inch water main which broke early last Thursday morning, while dramatic, disruptive, as well as annoying and costly, is a problem for this great city as it is for others with an aging infrastructure. However, these problems are relatively simple compared to controlling demand and expanding supplies to meet future demands. Vol. 68, No. 2, March-April 1992
230
W. R. 230lR
LYNN
LYN
A drought is a natural and expected event and man-made water supply systems are planned, designed, and constructed in recognition of the fact that nature is ofttimes fickle in the amount of precipitation she provides. We almost always get more or less than we expect on the average. The New York City system, truly one of the greatest engineered systems in the world, has endured and survived a sequence of droughts-events that have been appearing with increasing frequency. 1964, 1965, 1981, 1985, 1989, and 1991-that's six events in 27 years. In each successive drought it has become harder and tougher to develop and implement technological fixes. As you know, David served as Chairman of the Disaster Preparedness Commission upon whose shoulders lay the principal responsibility for alerting and convincing the governor to invoke the extraordinary measures attendant upon declaring a drought emergency. The Sanitary Code gives to the Commissioner of Health an extraordinary set of powers, coupled with the high regard and respect Governor Cuomo had for his professional and technical skills, made David both admired and disliked. He "earned his stripes" in a variety of ways. Let me remind you that the kinds of droughts we face in the east are not of the variety in which you picture a person ". . . crossing the burning sands for water-cool clear water!" Droughts in this region result in major economic, social, public health, and environmental consequences-but dehydration is not one of them. Thus, one who has to address the public health issues involved in supplying potable drinking water for a city of the size and complexity of New York needs to be not only brilliant, resourceful, politically astute, technologically sophisticated, but also able to express and defend a reordering of priorities when a shortage of water demands changes in the ways water is allocated and used. He held that first and foremost the obligation was to provide water for people. An effective and forceful spokesman, tough-minded yet fair, David Axelrod was a Commissioner-a man for all seasons. As a member of the council he sought to make New York City undertake the difficult task of becoming a water conscious/water conserving entity-a major but vital task for a city that uses more than 1.5 billion gallons of water each day. While recognizing that New York City might have need to develop new sources of supply-but where options are few and those that exist are extraordinarily expensive and contentious-the council insisted that the city demonstrate its willingness to act more responsibly in terms of water use-to conserve, conserve, conserve. At the same time, we were concerned about the Bull. N.Y. Acad. Med.
WI I Ivirkial L)TM aqvMPCqII
1- R l 4il
deterioration of the quality of the upland water sources and urged the city to make the kind of extraordinary efforts needed to protect the watersheds from which it withdraws its current supply. Have we accomplished all this yet? No. And whatever remains to be done, and there is much to do, will be much harder and troublesome to accomplish without David Axelrod, ready to push and pull us to meet our challenges and obligations. In closing, let me highlight a few of David Axelrod's accomplishments as a public health officer. * The Mid '70s As director of the State Labs, he ushered in new focus on the toxic substances era and expanded and enhanced its professional status and expertise As a member of the PCB Advisory Committee, he called attention to the public health aspects of PCB's as well as the development of analytical technology: * Droughts of The '80s He vigorously pursued the primacy of public water supplies He made incisive command decisions in the face of onrushing water supply emergencies, for example, the New York City use of Chelsea, the Rochester city filtration plant. * Late '80s He played a prominent role in developing the major policy recommendations and support for New York State water management strategies. He insisted upon water conservation as the first commandment of water supply management. He wanted consumers/purveyors to appreciate the "true cost" of water in order to help insure that they would act knowledgeably and rationally. He struggled with efforts to have the New York State establish hierarchial water use policies. He was a man of action and commitment His management style was simple and straightforward. It involved the following steps: * Get the facts. * Make your decision. * Stick to your guns. * Apply the best expertise available to the problem. * Learn from your experiences and mistakes. Vol. 68, No. 2, March-April 1992
232
232
W. R. LYNN
All of us who are committed to protecting and improving the public health of the people of New York State miss the prodding and demanding call for excellence and integrity that was characteristic of David Axelrod's tenure as Commissioner. He is missed!
Bull. N.Y. Acad. Med.
PUBLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES: ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH* WALTER R. LYNN, M.S. Chairman New York State Water Resources Planning Council Ithaca, New York
Good morning! I am certain all of us have mixed feelings about this event. On the one hand, we are pleased to participate in a symposium that seeks to recognize and acknowledge David Axelrod's many direct contributions to, and constructive influence on, improving the health of the people of New York State. On the other hand, because we deeply regret the unseemly circumstances that have befallen David and his family, all of us would prefer if there were no reason for this assembly. In my remarks I will focus upon the vital role David has played in developing and promoting policies and actions in environmental health. With your forbearance, I will talk about his role in the matter of drinking water supplies. Needless to say, the quality and quantity of drinking water is a matter of considerable environmental health significance. On May 30, 1984, the New York State Legislature amended the Environmental Conservation Law by adding Title 29, establishing the Water Resources Planning Council, its organization and its duties in respect to developing water resources management strategies for New York State. The council consists of 15 members including the Commissioners of Health, Agriculture and Markets, Commerce, Energy, Environmental Conservation, Transportation, the Public Service Commission, Secretary of State, and seven so called public members. I was appointed a member and chairman of the council somewhat late in the process-like January 1986-but fortunately David Axelrod and Hank Williams (then Commissioner of DEC), together with members of their staffs and some of the other council members, undertook to get things organized and moving long before I came upon the scene. * Presented as part of a symposium, Dr. David Axelrod and the Health of the Public: Looking Ahead, cosponsored by the New York State Department of Health, the New York Academy of Medicine, and the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation October 23, 1991.
Bull. N.Y. Acad. Med.
SYMPOSIUM
SYMPOSIT1-1-
JM
229 229-:m
While on a statewide basis New York is clearly water rich, it does have its problems. The New York City metropolitan area is under continuing stress both with regard to its supply of water, as well as the quality of its water supply. The legislative history of the Council suggests that the circumstances surrounding the New York City and Long Island water supply provided much of the motivation for creating a body to consider statewide and regional water resource planning strategies, i.e., action plans for the future. It is important to talk about New York City and its water supply because it was a major issue for Commissioner David Axelrod. As Commissioner, he was obligated to address not only the short run problems of drought and water shortages, but also the longer term issues associated with assuring an adequate supply of water for well into the twenty-first century. In the '70s, his work on the Love Canal disaster brought him to the attention of Dr. Cahill and Governor Carey. According to my colleague Hank Dullea, David was highly regarded by the governor, in part, because he was wise enough in that and subsequent issues to give the governor sufficient advanced notice when problems involved matters of policy-especially if they were likely to be politically contentious. David always did his organizational homework. These skills and talents were also recognized by Governor Cuomo. For example, Governor Cuomo called upon him to conduct the investigation of the bridge collapse over Schoharie Creek. The Department of Health has within its own organization excellent technical people who could assist in the effort, and David quickly brought their talents to bear in helping him to organize the investigation. After acquiring the records and other relevant design information from the Thruway Authority, he quickly marshalled and recruited the best people with the necessary skills to analyze and resolve the technical issues that were required. That attitude and technique was characteristic of the way that David approached all of the tasks on his plate. Back to the waterfront! What are the drinking water supply problems in New York City and why does it have them? The answer appears to be shortfalls in precipitation, coupled with increases in demand driven by a growth in population and/or consumption on a per capita basis-an ideal and classical formula for droughts. The 20-inch water main which broke early last Thursday morning, while dramatic, disruptive, as well as annoying and costly, is a problem for this great city as it is for others with an aging infrastructure. However, these problems are relatively simple compared to controlling demand and expanding supplies to meet future demands. Vol. 68, No. 2, March-April 1992
230
W. R. 230lR
LYNN
LYN
A drought is a natural and expected event and man-made water supply systems are planned, designed, and constructed in recognition of the fact that nature is ofttimes fickle in the amount of precipitation she provides. We almost always get more or less than we expect on the average. The New York City system, truly one of the greatest engineered systems in the world, has endured and survived a sequence of droughts-events that have been appearing with increasing frequency. 1964, 1965, 1981, 1985, 1989, and 1991-that's six events in 27 years. In each successive drought it has become harder and tougher to develop and implement technological fixes. As you know, David served as Chairman of the Disaster Preparedness Commission upon whose shoulders lay the principal responsibility for alerting and convincing the governor to invoke the extraordinary measures attendant upon declaring a drought emergency. The Sanitary Code gives to the Commissioner of Health an extraordinary set of powers, coupled with the high regard and respect Governor Cuomo had for his professional and technical skills, made David both admired and disliked. He "earned his stripes" in a variety of ways. Let me remind you that the kinds of droughts we face in the east are not of the variety in which you picture a person ". . . crossing the burning sands for water-cool clear water!" Droughts in this region result in major economic, social, public health, and environmental consequences-but dehydration is not one of them. Thus, one who has to address the public health issues involved in supplying potable drinking water for a city of the size and complexity of New York needs to be not only brilliant, resourceful, politically astute, technologically sophisticated, but also able to express and defend a reordering of priorities when a shortage of water demands changes in the ways water is allocated and used. He held that first and foremost the obligation was to provide water for people. An effective and forceful spokesman, tough-minded yet fair, David Axelrod was a Commissioner-a man for all seasons. As a member of the council he sought to make New York City undertake the difficult task of becoming a water conscious/water conserving entity-a major but vital task for a city that uses more than 1.5 billion gallons of water each day. While recognizing that New York City might have need to develop new sources of supply-but where options are few and those that exist are extraordinarily expensive and contentious-the council insisted that the city demonstrate its willingness to act more responsibly in terms of water use-to conserve, conserve, conserve. At the same time, we were concerned about the Bull. N.Y. Acad. Med.
WI I Ivirkial L)TM aqvMPCqII
1- R l 4il
deterioration of the quality of the upland water sources and urged the city to make the kind of extraordinary efforts needed to protect the watersheds from which it withdraws its current supply. Have we accomplished all this yet? No. And whatever remains to be done, and there is much to do, will be much harder and troublesome to accomplish without David Axelrod, ready to push and pull us to meet our challenges and obligations. In closing, let me highlight a few of David Axelrod's accomplishments as a public health officer. * The Mid '70s As director of the State Labs, he ushered in new focus on the toxic substances era and expanded and enhanced its professional status and expertise As a member of the PCB Advisory Committee, he called attention to the public health aspects of PCB's as well as the development of analytical technology: * Droughts of The '80s He vigorously pursued the primacy of public water supplies He made incisive command decisions in the face of onrushing water supply emergencies, for example, the New York City use of Chelsea, the Rochester city filtration plant. * Late '80s He played a prominent role in developing the major policy recommendations and support for New York State water management strategies. He insisted upon water conservation as the first commandment of water supply management. He wanted consumers/purveyors to appreciate the "true cost" of water in order to help insure that they would act knowledgeably and rationally. He struggled with efforts to have the New York State establish hierarchial water use policies. He was a man of action and commitment His management style was simple and straightforward. It involved the following steps: * Get the facts. * Make your decision. * Stick to your guns. * Apply the best expertise available to the problem. * Learn from your experiences and mistakes. Vol. 68, No. 2, March-April 1992
232
232
W. R. LYNN
All of us who are committed to protecting and improving the public health of the people of New York State miss the prodding and demanding call for excellence and integrity that was characteristic of David Axelrod's tenure as Commissioner. He is missed!
Bull. N.Y. Acad. Med.
