Designates Charles lake, Lost lake (Putnam county), Putnam lake and Tonetta lake as inland waterways for purposes of waterfront revitalization

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to designating Charles lake, Lost lake, Putnam lake and Tonetta lake as inland waterways for purposes of waterfront revitalization

Purpose

Designates Charles Lake, Lost Lake in Putnam County, Putnam Lake and Tonetta Lake as inland waterways for purposes of waterfront revitalization.

Summary of provisions

Section one amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 911 of the executive law, regarding the definition of "inland waterways," by adding the following lakes: Charles, Lost (in the county of Putnam), Putnam and Tonetta.

Section two establishes the effective date.

Justification

Bedrock aquifers underlie all of Putnam County, and face threats from municipal stormwater, sewer and septic systems, especially where these bedrock formations occupy common drainage areas that emerge in streams. These bedrock formations support the wells which yield most of the drinking water for county residents.

Concentrated residential areas lay around many of Putnam County's waterbodies, including Peach Lake (added last year to the list of inland waterways), Lake Tonetta in Southeast and Putnam Lake in Patterson. This development poses threats not only to the recreational and ecological health of these waterways, but also to the myriad parts of the New York City Reservoir system formed by damming and impounding waterways in Putnam County and the very aquifer system itself.

The Great Swamp, unique and beautiful, lies between the Housatonic and Hudson River super-watersheds. It is one of the largest wetlands in New York State. To the north, it traverses the towns of Pawling and Dover via the Swamp River, then the Ten Mile River. It crosses into Connecticut, where it meets the Housatonic River and eventually flows into Long Island Sound.

The south flow traverses the towns of Patterson and Southeast via the East branch Croton River, then it flows into Westchester via the East Branch, then the East Branch Reservoir of New York City's Croton Reservoir System, making the Great Swamp important headwaters for New York City's water supply.

Originally intended as summer bedroom communities, Putnam Lake and Tonetta Lake were formed by impounding as the New York City Reservoir system was created. Residents now live there year round and both remain popular tourist destinations. Both of these waterways are priority impaired and are also included in the Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters. Putnam Lake further drains into the watershed through its outflow toward Lost Lake and Lake Charles. Further ecological harm could threaten the Great Swamp Critical Environmental Area as well as the Reservoir System.

It is imperative that these waterways be added to the list of inland waterways so the towns of Southeast and Patterson can prepare local waterfront revitalization plans (LWRP) to better manage the environmental threats these lakes face from increased development. There is also economic development potential to be realized, Lake Charles was once to become the site of a business park with a movie theater. The comprehensive management strategy that will be achieved through the LWRP planning process will be a boon to the program's strategic goal of regional planning that will enable smarter, more sustainable growth for the East Branch Croton River/Diverting and East Branch Reservoir Watershed.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

None to the state

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.