BILL NUMBER:  S6330

 TITLE OF BILL :

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to adding the Bash Bish
Brook to the definition of inland waterways

 PURPOSE :

To designate the Bash Bish Brook as an Inland Waterway for purpose of
the State's Coastal and Inland Waterways program.

 SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS :

This bill amends Subdivision 4 of section 911 of the Executive Law by
expanding the definition of "inland waterways" to include the Bash
Bish Brook.

 JUSTIFICATION :

The Bash Bish Brook originates out of a spring in the Town of Mount
Washington in Massachusetts and falls over the Bash Bish Falls. It
then continues into New York State through the Taconic State Park into
Copake Falls before flowing into the Roeliff Jansen Kill in Ancram.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has
classified the Bash Bish Brook as a cold-water habitat having
              

conditions suitable for trout or trout spawning. The town of Copake's
2011 Comprehensive Plan recognizes that the "management of all water
resources is a top priority in Copake."

The Bash Bish Brook has historical significance in Copake and an
important natural resource for the Town. The Bash Bish Inn and former
Copake Iron Work, now a museum, are both located along side the Bash
Bish Brook. The Harlem Rail Trail, from Wassaic to Chatham also goes
over the Bash Bish Brook. The former Harlem Rail Line used to have a
station alongside the Brook and is now a visitor location for hikers
on the Rail Trail. Copake also benefits from visitors who use the Bash
Bish Brook for trout fishing and kayaking.

Designating the Bash Bish Brook as an inland waterway would allow the
town of Copake to apply for grants though the Local Waterfront
Revitalization Program. These grants will help in Copake's plan to
implement local waterfront revitalization programs to foster the
beneficial use of the waterfront and to protect and preserve the
health and quality of the Bash Bish Brook for the residents of Copake,
the County of Columbia, and the State of New York.

 LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

This is a new bill.

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :

None to the Senate.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :
This act shall take effect immediately.