Designates Campfire lake, Echo lake (Westchester County) and Pocantico river as inland waterways

2 Co-sponsors

• George Latimer
• Andrea Stewart-Cousins

BILL NUMBER:S3699

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to designating Campfire lake, Echo lake and Pocantico river as inland waterways for purposes of waterfront revitalization

Purpose

This bill adds the Pocantico River, Echo Lake and Campfire Lake to the definition of "inland waterways" for purposes of waterfront revitalization.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 911 of the executive law to add Echo Lake and Campfire Lake to the definition of "inland waterways."

Section 2 amends Paragraph (b) of subdivision 4 of section 911 of the executive law to add the Pocantico River to the definition of "inland waterways."

Section 3 contains the effective date.

Justification

The Pocantico River plays a vital role in Westchester County. The Saw Mill Watershed Advisory Board (SMWAB) is an inter-municipal task force established by the Westchester County Board of Legislators and the towns and villages in the Saw Mill / Pocantico River Basin. The Advisory board has issued a request to add the Pocantico River to the definition of inland waterways, which would permit the municipalities in the Saw Mill / Pocantico River basin to apply for grants under the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. The County Legislature recently adopted the SMWAB's Stormwater Reconnaissance Plan for the Saw Mill / Pocantico River Watershed, which identifies numerous projects in each municipality that address myriad issues relating to stormwater management, flood mitigation and daylighting. By including the Pocantico River in the definition of inland waterways, these projects will be eligible to compete for funding, which has the potential to create jobs, reduce flooding and protect the environment.

The Pocantico River is a nine-mile-long tributary of the Hudson, rising from both Echo Lake and Campfire Lake in the town of New Castle south of the hamlet of Millwood. Thus the water quality and environmental status of both lakes are directly linked to those of the Pocantico River. Indeed, as the Pocantico River connects to both Echo Lake and Campfire Lake, adding them to the definition of "inland waterways" will permit the communities in the area to apply for grants under the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.