What's happening
This bill establishes a moratorium on renewing permits to withdraw water from the Lloyd Sands in Queens, except for emergencies.
Why it matters
Restricts further water withdrawals from a key underground source. The Lloyd Sands aquifer is an important groundwater resource; the moratorium helps prevent over-extraction that could compromise long-term water availability and quality for Queens.
Prioritizes environmental sustainability. By halting renewals except in emergencies, the bill aims to protect aquifer health, reduce risks of land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, and ecological harm, and encourage better water management practices.
Makes exceptions only for true emergencies. The law allows renewals only if there is a critical water shortage or prolonged drought upstate, ensuring that public health and essential needs can still be met in crisis situations.
Signals increased regulatory oversight. This move reflects heightened concern over local water resources, possibly prompting stakeholders (utilities, industries, residents) to seek alternative water sources or invest in conservation.
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Who cares
Queens water-withdrawal permit holders
The bill would block renewals of permits to withdraw water from the Lloyd Sands unless the specified emergency conditions are met.
State water-permit regulators
They would have to apply the moratorium and limit renewals to those necessary to address an emergency water supply shortage and prolonged multi-year upstate drought conditions.
Queens water suppliers relying on the Lloyd Sands
The renewal restriction would limit their ability to continue withdrawals outside the bill’s emergency exception.
Headline styles
Pause Queens Water Permits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Reported referred to rules
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Pause Queens Water Permits
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Elaine Phillips
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
8267
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
June 5, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to a moratorium on permit renewals within Queens county to withdraw water from the Lloyd Sands
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 15-1528 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new subdivision 2-a to read as follows:
2-a. A moratorium shall be established on the granting of renewals for permits within the county of Queens to withdraw water from the Lloyd Sands unless such renewal is necessary to comply with an exigent need in response to emergency water supply shortage and prolonged multi-year upstate drought conditions.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13063-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.