ALBANY — A bill to protect streams regularly used by for boating, fishing and other recreational activities has advanced to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk for approval.
Legislation to protect these waterways has been vetoed twice before, once by Hochul and once by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“I’m thrilled that the House and Senate continue to prioritize the value and protection of drinking water and the health of the waterways,” said Riverkeeper Senior Manager of Government Affairs Jeremy Cherson. “One of the biggest threats to the New York waterways is death by a thousand cuts — pollution and degradation from many different sources. These problems exist in a smaller and harder-to-tackle form than problems like the dumping of oil or other pollutants into class C streams. We hope Gov. Hochul passes the reform.”
Sponsored by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, D-66, and state Sen. Pete Harckham, D-40, the legislation’s aim is to protect the banks of these streams from being damaged by construction or other actions that would stir mud or pollutants in the soil that would enter the waterways and jeopardize the health and safety of downstream wildlife and habitats. The law would also make watersheds more resilient to flooding.
Opponents of initial drafts of the bill said protections for class C streams would negatively impact the state budget while imposing logistical and financial burdens on farmers.
“While the goal is laudable, the bill would have serious regulatory impacts and greatly increase the costs to the state and local communities,” Hochul said in a statement.
Support from environmental advocates for clean waterways has intensified in the wake of a May 25 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that limited the federal government’s protection of wetlands.
“As climate change intensifies and the Supreme Court undermines the Clean Water Act, it is clear that we can’t depend on the federal government alone to protect our precious water resources,” Glick said. “That is why I take great pride in sponsoring this legislation that stands up for clean water. With the new protections for streams and waterways that this bill offers, we are taking a crucial step in safeguarding New York’s most vital natural resource. In the face of mounting challenges, it is imperative that we prioritize the protection of our water, and this legislation serves that purpose.”
In May, Greene County municipal leaders and planning and zoning board members attended the Schoharie Watershed Summit to learn how to manage development around streambanks to ensure the safety of the waterways.
Catskill Town Planning Board member Michael Ragaini and Empire Riverfront Ventures developer Aaron Flach did not return calls for comment.
The Schoharie Water Basin, a region spanning much of western Greene County, provides a billion gallons of drinking water to New York City daily.