Bill > S00883

This bill amends the New York State Environmental Conservation Law to explicitly declare the state's waters as public trust resources, which means that these waters are held in trust by the state government for the benefit of all current and future residents. The bill emphasizes that water is a valuable public natural resource and that the state has a legal and ethical responsibility to conserve, manage, and protect these waters effectively. By adding language to existing sections of the law, the bill reinforces the state's commitment to regulating and supervising activities that could potentially harm or deplete water resources. This change underscores the importance of water as a shared resource and the state's obligation to manage it sustainably for environmental protection and public use. The amendments formalize the state's role as a trustee of water resources, ensuring that water management decisions prioritize both current needs and long-term environmental sustainability.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S883