Bill > S09379

This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to allow local governments that have implemented a freshwater wetlands protection law to adopt a local law or ordinance prohibiting the application of pesticides to the wetlands they regulate. However, the prohibition would not apply to the control of invasive species, pests of significant public health importance, noxious weeds, or the protection of critical native plant species. The bill also specifies that the provisions only apply to wetlands that are hydrologically connected to public water supplies and do not contradict existing laws regarding pesticide use in commercial agricultural activities. Any local law or ordinance adopted under this section would take effect on January 1 following its adoption.