Bill > A00179

This bill authorizes the commissioner of environmental conservation to establish a stream maintenance and flood control program that allows counties to opt into a local program for managing waterways and preventing floods. Under this program, a county can develop a comprehensive stream maintenance and flood control plan in consultation with state emergency management officials and local soil and water conservation districts. The plan must analyze weather patterns, existing conditions, and hydrological data to create a schedule of maintenance activities designed to prevent flooding while also improving aquatic habitat. Counties will be responsible for performing the planned work, which can be done directly or through contracts with towns, villages, conservation districts, or independent contractors. If maintenance activities need to occur on private property, the county must first notify the property owner and request permission, though work can proceed without permission if the local governing body determines that not making repairs poses an unwarranted risk to public health and safety. The bill also removes permit requirements for stream maintenance activities conducted under an approved plan and specifies that funding will come from the environmental protection fund. The program will take effect 180 days after becoming law, giving counties time to prepare and develop their specific stream maintenance plans.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A179