Designates Glencoma lake, Lincolndale lake, MacGregor lake, Mahopac lake, Secor lake, Shenorock lake, Teakettle Spout lake and Wixon lake as inland waterways

Section two establishes the effective date.

Justification

The towns of Somers and Carmel face a myriad of water quality challenges in the New Croton/Muscoot Reservoir Watershed, as several of their communities must balance the recreational access to the lakes, which are closely intertwined with the water supply system for the greater New York City Metropolitan Area.

Lake Mahopac is not impaired, the recreational suitability of the lake is described most frequently as "could not be, nicer." However, it should be classified as an inland waterway to make use of the local waterfront revitalization planning (LWRP) process for economic development purposes. Furthermore, as headwaters for major watershed sub-basins and drainage basins, classifying it as an inland waterway fits the programmatic goal of taking a watershed wide approach to local waterfront revitalization planning to address water quality and water quantity issues on a regional basis.

Kirk Lake, a vital supply of drinking water, was formed from Lake Mahopac. While Kirk Lake empties into the Muscoot Drainage Basin, Lake Mahopac empties into the Plum Brook Drainage Basin, where dams have been formed at Teakettle Sprout Lake and Glencoma Lake. Along with Kirk Lake, which is owned by New York City, Lake Secor, Lake MacGregor and Lake Mahopac form the headwaters of the Muscoot River. This river feeds the Amawalk Reservoir. Its lower section is a priority impaired waterway. Protecting its headwaters as inland waterways will help the town of Carmel submit a realistic local waterfront revitalization plan that has a chance to compete for funding.

Lake Shenorock is formed from the Muscoot Drainage Basin. Lake Shenorock is a priority waterbody affected by algal weed growth and phosphorous. It was recently included on the USCWA § 303(d) List of Impaired Waters. Recreational uses of the lake are considered to be impaired due to algal growth and low water transparency. Elevated nutrient (phosphorus) levels attributed to nonpoint sources are the primary contributor to these impairments. Adding Lake Shenorock to the list of inland waterways will help mitigate these environmental concerns.

Lake Shenorock outflows almost directly into the Amawalk Resevoir, which is created by damming the lower section of the Muscoot River. The Reservoir is also fed by Lake Lincolndale, which is formed from the Plum Brook Drainage Basin fed initially from Lake Mahopac.

Recreational uses in Lake Lincolndale are considered to be impaired due to algal growth and low water transparency. Elevated nutrient (phosphorus) levels attributed to nonpoint sources are the primary contributor to recreational and aesthetic impairments. Urban/storm runoff and on-site (septic) systems are thought to be sources of these pollutants. Lake Lincolndale has been on the § 303(d) List of Impaired Waters for some time for phosphorous, and was at one time for pathogens. The Plum Brook Watershed Sub-Basin which is fed by this drainage basin is also a municipally identified flood prone area as it empties into Angle Fly Brook Subwatershed Area.

Establishing these areas as inland waterways will help the town of Somers in submitting a realistic LWRP for the northwestern portion of the town in order to address the water quality and quantity issues in the Heritage Hills, Lake Shenorock and Lake Lincolndale planned communities.

Legislative history

New bill

Fiscal implications

None to the state

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law.