Bill > A04520

This bill authorizes the Department of Environmental Conservation to establish the Lake DeForest Flood Control Pilot Program. The program will allow the department to regulate the volume and releases of water from the Lake DeForest reservoir, which is operated by a privately owned waterworks corporation, in order to mitigate downstream flooding while recognizing the primary purpose of ensuring sufficient quality drinking water. The department will promulgate rules and regulations describing the circumstances in which flood control authority may be used, such as in anticipation of a major weather event, large inflow of water into reservoirs, dam safety, or other conditions that may cause unnecessary flooding. The bill is set to take effect on December 31, 2024 and expire on December 31, 2034.