Bill > S08924

This bill establishes a new section in the canal law to create a stakeholder group for coordinating water releases in the Oswego River Basin. Within six months of the bill's effective date, the corporation (likely referring to the New York State Canal Corporation, though not explicitly defined in this snippet) in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), must form this group. The stakeholder group will include entities that control flood water discharges into or from major water bodies and their tributaries within the Oswego River Basin, community groups, the DEC, and subject matter experts. Their task is to evaluate approaches to coordinating water releases, review information on using flood storage and watershed releases during high flow events, and within six months of their formation, make recommendations to the governor, temporary president of the senate, and speaker of the assembly. These recommendations will focus on a regulatory structure for communication and water releases during high flow events and will consider various options, such as continuing or expanding the stakeholder group, a legislative mandate for coordination, or establishing an independent water regulating district with authority to direct water releases under a specific section of environmental conservation law.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8924