N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 15-0805: Regulation of reservoir releases

§ 15-0805. Regulation of reservoir releases.

1. The commissioner is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and

regulations as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than the

first day of April, nineteen hundred seventy-seven for releases from

Schoharie reservoir through the Shandaken tunnel and for releases from

Neversink, Pepacton and Cannonsville reservoirs, nor later than the

first day of October, nineteen hundred seventy-eight for releases from

the remaining impounding reservoirs, to carry out the policy set out in

this title consistent with the findings and policies set out in this

article.

2. Without limiting the foregoing, such rules and regulations may

include provisions respecting the volume, timing and rate of change in

volume of releases of water, monitoring, maintenance of records,

inspection of records and premises, reporting and investigations by

representatives of the department, may vary from time to time, on a

seasonal basis and from reservoir to reservoir and shall include

provisions to insure that an adequate supply of water for power

production and for any municipality which uses water from such reservoir

for drinking and other purposes will not be impaired, to provide for the

public health and safety in the event of drought or other emergency

conditions and shall be promulgated only after affected municipalities

are provided an opportunity for consultation.