What's happening
This bill establishes a moratorium on renewing permits for drilling and water withdrawals from the Lloyd Sands aquifer in Kings and Queens counties.
Why it matters
Stricter protection for Kings and Queens. By imposing a moratorium on renewing existing permits (not just new ones) for drilling and water withdrawals in the Lloyd Sands aquifer specifically in Kings and Queens, the bill aims to halt further depletion or disturbance of a critical water source for these densely populated boroughs.
Environmental preservation and risk management. The legislation addresses concerns about over-extraction, contamination, and saltwater intrusion in the Lloyd Sands, which could have long-term impacts on drinking water quality and availability for local communities.
Limited exceptions and heightened scrutiny. Unlike Nassau and Suffolk counties, where exemptions and possible lifting of the moratorium are allowed under strict conditions, Kings and Queens receive no such flexibility, reflecting a higher level of environmental caution due to their unique vulnerabilities or existing water stress.
Resource allocation and regional equity. By reserving Lloyd Sands water for “coastal communities” and restricting broader access, the bill could affect how water resources are managed and distributed across Long Island, potentially impacting growth, development, and planning decisions in the affected counties.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Pause Lloyd Sands Drilling Permits
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 8
No co-sponsors yet.
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 Drilling Permits in Lloyd
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Michaelle C. Solages
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1682
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 15, 2019
Introduced by Sen. BROOKS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed 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
S. 1682 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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
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
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to allow drilling into the Lloyd Sands to occur in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. amends section 15-1528 the environmental conservation law by adding a new subsection (b) which provides for a moratorium on the renewal of permits to drill public, private, or industrial water supply wells in the Lloyd Sands, or to permit the withdrawal, storage or pump- ing of water from the Lloyd Sands in the counties of Kings and Queens. This moratorium applies to all areas that are not coastal communities and areas that are coastal communities for the storage or pumping of water into the Lloyds Sands. Additionally, the moratorium shall be lift- ed for new permits in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Section 2. is the enacting clause.
Justification
The Lloyd Sands Aquifer is one of the most important and pristine bodies of water in New York State. It is critical that this natural resource be protected for future generations. However, we must balance that with the needs of the people of Nassau and Suffolk counties for clean water.
The lifting of the moratorium on granting permits specifically for Nassau and Suffolk counties for drilling into the Lloyd Sands Aquifer will achieve this end and provide additional clean water for these coun- ties.
Fiscal implications
None to the state
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.