What's happening
This bill establishes a moratorium on renewing permits for drilling and water withdrawals from the Lloyd Sands in Kings and Queens counties.
Why it matters
Protects a Critical Water Source. By halting both new and renewed permits for drilling and water withdrawals from the Lloyd Sands in Kings and Queens counties, the bill aims to safeguard a vital aquifer that supplies drinking water to densely populated urban areas, potentially preventing over-extraction, contamination, or saltwater intrusion.
Prioritizes Coastal Community Needs. The legislation reserves the aquifer’s water for coastal communities during the moratorium, recognizing their particular dependence on this resource and elevating local water security as a policy priority.
Restricts Industrial and Public Use Expansion. By including both public and private water supply as well as industrial wells, the bill blocks increased industrial or infrastructural development that could threaten the sustainability of the aquifer, impacting future economic development and urban growth in these counties.
Signals Long-Term Environmental Stewardship. The moratorium is not only immediate but also open-ended (no specified end date), indicating a precautionary approach. Lifting the ban requires comprehensive scientific research and a robust management plan, reflecting a shift toward more cautious, evidence-based water resource management.
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Pause Drilling Permits in Lloyd
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- 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 Lloyd Sands Drilling Permits
In Senate Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor John E. Brooks
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3019
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 28, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES, D'URSO -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to a moratorium on the renewal of permits to drill in the Lloyd Sands in Kings and Queens counties
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, as added by chapter 773 of the laws of 1986, subdivisions 2 and 4 as amended by chapter 567 of the laws of 2008, is amended to read as follows: § 15-1528. Moratorium on the drilling of [new] certain wells in the
Lloyd Sands.
1. The department is directed to identify those areas of Long Island within the counties of Kings, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk which, for the purposes of this section, shall be considered coastal communities.
2. (a) A moratorium shall be established on the granting of new permits to drill public water supply, private water supply or industrial wells into the Lloyd Sands or to permit new withdrawals of water from the Lloyd Sands or to permit the storage or pumping of water into the Lloyd Sands. Such moratorium shall apply to all areas that are not coastal communities, provided however that such moratorium shall apply to all areas including coastal communities for the storage or pumping of water into the Lloyd Sands. The waters of the Lloyd Sands shall be reserved for the use of coastal communities during the moratorium, however, nothing required herein shall affect the permits of wells presently screened in the Lloyd Sands and withdrawing water therefrom.
(b) A moratorium shall be established on the granting of renewal permits to drill public water supply, private water supply or industrial wells into the Lloyd Sands or to permit withdrawals of water from the Lloyd Sands or to permit the storage or pumping of water into the Lloyd
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05125-01-9
A. 3019 2
Sands in the counties of Kings and Queens. Such moratorium shall apply to all areas that are not coastal communities, provided however that such moratorium shall apply to all areas including coastal communities for the storage or pumping of water into the Lloyd Sands.
3. The moratorium shall be lifted on the granting of new permits for Nassau and Suffolk counties upon a directive from the commissioner. The directive shall be based upon his or her finding that sufficient research has been conducted so as to provide a sound working knowledge of the details, dynamics, water volume, and levels of safe withdrawal appropriate to maintain a safe quantity of Lloyd Sands water. Further, the commissioner must find that a workable program is in place that can properly administer a well permit program for the Lloyd Sands water. Such program shall take into account both the localized and regional aspects and implications of Lloyd Sands water withdrawals, with special attention given to the prevention of water contamination and salt water intrusion. The program must ensure that a safe level of withdrawal from the Lloyd Sands is not exceeded.
4. The commissioner may grant exemptions for Nassau and Suffolk counties to the moratorium upon a finding of just cause and extreme hardship. Such exemptions shall not apply to the storage or pumping of water into the Lloyd Sands. An adjudicatory hearing shall be held and findings presented to the commissioner prior to the granting of an exemption.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.