Bill > S07752

This bill aims to address the issue of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia (low oxygen levels) in both marine and freshwater environments. The key provisions include: 1. Authorizing the legislative commission on the development of rural resources to study the effectiveness of pond and lake management programs. 2. Amending the executive law to include water contamination by algal bloom or hypoxia as a "disaster," allowing for emergency response measures. 3. Establishing the New York Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Commission to assess the impacts of these events, coordinate response efforts, and develop a comprehensive plan to address the problem. 4. Creating the New York Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Advisory Committee to provide expertise and guidance to the Commission. 5. Granting the Department of Environmental Conservation the authority to develop regulations and plans to manage nutrient loadings and prevent or mitigate the effects of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. 6. Requiring the Department of Health to establish procedures for managing harmful algal blooms in various water bodies. 7. Directing the State University of New York to conduct a peer review study on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the state. 8. Providing funding from the public authorities law to the state office of emergency management for providing potable water during water contamination disasters caused by harmful algal blooms or hypoxia. Overall, this bill aims to improve the understanding, monitoring, prevention, and response to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events in New York State, with a focus on protecting both the environment and public health.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=S07752&term=2017&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y