Bill > A05421

This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to require oil and gas drillers or producers who affect a public or private potable water supply through pollution or diminution to restore or replace the affected water supply with an adequate alternative source. The bill defines pollution and diminution, establishes a presumption of liability for water supply issues within 1,000 feet of drilling activities, and outlines five possible defenses for the driller or producer to rebut the presumption. The bill also requires independent predrilling or prealteration water supply surveys to preserve certain defenses. The bill aims to protect water supplies from the impacts of oil and gas operations.