Bill > S04815

This bill establishes a stakeholder group in the Oswego river basin to improve water release coordination, specifically requiring the New York state canal corporation to form a collaborative group within six months of the bill's effective date. The group will include entities with flood water discharge capabilities, community stakeholders, environmental conservation department representatives, and subject matter experts. Their primary task is to review available information about flood storage and watershed releases, and within six months, they must submit recommendations to state leadership (the governor, senate president, and assembly speaker) about creating a regulatory structure for better water release communication during high flow events. The group will consider multiple approaches to coordination, including continuing the stakeholder group, creating a legislative mandate for water release coordination, or establishing an independent water regulating district with authority to direct water releases. The bill aims to enhance flood management and water resource coordination in the Oswego river basin by bringing together multiple stakeholders to develop more effective strategies for managing water releases during potentially flood-prone conditions.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S4815