ALBANY, NY - Senator Rachel May’s Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring and Prevention Act (S1833A) passed the Senate. The bill establishes a statewide system to collect and share critical data on harmful algal blooms.

The HABMAP Act creates a first-of-its-kind tool in New York to tackle harmful algal blooms (HABs). It builds a statewide hub to track and respond to blooms—pulling together data on causes, proven solutions, expert guidance, and available funding. That information will also power a targeted grant program to support effective prevention and mitigation efforts.

“Our freshwater resources are among the best in the world, but they’re increasingly threatened by pollution and a warming climate. Each season, toxic algal blooms put New York lakes and the people who rely on them at risk,” said Senator Rachel May. “The HABMAP Act will help governments better track and manage these threats while protecting the quality of life New Yorkers expect."

The HABMAP Act gives municipalities the tools to tackle harmful algal blooms and protect our freshwater. It helps safeguard public health, keep our lakes safe for recreation, and preserve these resources for future generations.

Harmful algal blooms are becoming more common across New York. In 2022, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reported 1,053 blooms in 204 waterbodies—but the true number is likely higher due to underreporting. While annual totals vary, the overall trend shows blooms becoming more frequent and spreading to more waters across New York and the Northeast.