BILL NUMBER: S8205

SPONSOR: RITCHIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:  An act to amend the executive law, in relation to
adding lake Neatahwanta and the Oswego river to the definition of inland
waterways

 
PURPOSE:

This bill will incorporate Oswego River and Lake Neatahwanta into Water-
front Revitalization efforts to ensure beneficial use and preservation
of these important waterways

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends section 911 of the executive law to incorporate Lake
Neatahwanta and Oswego River into the definitions of the state's major
inland waterways.

Section 2 provides an immediate effective date.

              

 
JUSTIFICATION:

On January 16, 2018, the City of Fulton passed Resolution  2-3-2018
requesting that the state add both the Oswego River and Lake Neatahwanta
to the New York State Department of State's listing of Coastal Waterways
and Designated Inland Waterways. Such designation would allow any local
jurisdictions that are contiguous with Oswego River or Lake Neatahwanta
to undertake waterfront revitalization programs with the Department of
State on a voluntary basis.

Lake Neatahwanta has historically presented wonderful recreational
opportunities for the surrounding communities, including the City of
Fulton and the Town of Granby, and has provided a tourist destination
for those who visit the area. However, among other water quality issues,
the lake has experienced frequent toxic algae blooms for decades, which
has severely limited its use. In fact, the lake has been closed to swim-
ming since 1988. These blooms and other water quality issues pose a
health risk for the surrounding communities, and limit the opportunities
for growth around the lake.

The Oswego River also acts as a recreational and economic driver for
localities in Oswego County, passing through the towns of Minetto and
Granby, and continuing through the cities of Fulton and Oswego. The
river connects the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario, and provides a year-round
fishery. For decades, the lower Oswego River was designated as an area
of concern by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Though
Oswego River has been removed as an area of concern, the EPA still lists
the river as "polluted." Each of these waterways provides a significant
boon to the local communities, and warrants the state's full efforts for
preservation and economic development as with other major waterways in
the state.

Currently, the executive law does not include Oswego River or Lake
Neatahwanta under the definitions of "inland waterways" for waterfront
revitalization. Incorporating these two important waterways into the
state's listing of Coastal Waterways and Designated Inland Waterways
will help the local communities gain access to state and federal funding
through waterfront revitalization programs, enabling communities to
balance natural resource preservation and economic development, develop
watershed management plans, and protect public access to these water-
ways.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New Bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

To be determined.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.