GroundRules
← Search the law
New York · Through 2026-09-11

N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 15-1703: Definitions

Read at publisher ↗
Where this section sits in the code
  1. Environmental Conservation Law
  2. Article 15. Water Resources
  3. Title 17. Water Power

§ 15-1703. Definitions.

When used in title 17 of this article unless otherwise expressly

stated or unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:

1. "Licensee" means a person or public corporation holding a license

issued pursuant to title 17 of this article, his successor in interest

or assign;

2. "Stream" means a river or other stream and its tributaries;

3. "Water power site" means the real property including rights

appurtenant thereto or which may become appurtenant thereto which, when

a water power is developed, is necessary or useful for the construction,

maintenance and operation of a plant for the use of a fall of water for

the generation of power;

4. "Developed water power site" is a "water power site" where the

development is used or usable in its present condition for the

generation of power or where the works of such development are being

constructed or are in course of repair;

5. "Surplus canal waters" means such waters flowing in canal feeders,

artificial canals or the canalized streams of the state, as in the

judgment of the Commissioner of Transportation, are not necessary for

any canal uses or purposes;

6. "Project" means a complete unit of improvements or development,

consisting of a power plant, all water conduits, or dams and appurtenant

works and structures which are a part of such unit, and all storage,

diverting or forebay reservoirs connected therewith, the primary line or

lines transmitting power therefrom to the point of junction with the

distribution system, all miscellaneous structures used and useful in

connection with such unit or part thereof, and all water rights, rights

of ways, ditches, dams, reservoirs, lands or interest in lands, the use

and occupancy of which are necessary or appropriate in the maintenance

and operation of such unit;

7. "Project works" means physical structures of a "project;"

8. "Reconstruction cost" of a project or of any part thereof means the

actual and reasonable original cost to the licensee of the lands or

interests in the lands of such project or such part, less depreciation,

if any, plus the cost of reproducing the ways, means and works thereon

less the depreciation of such ways, means or works, including in such

costs a reasonable allowance for organization and development expenses,

but excluding therefrom any allowance for the value of the license or

any contract, lease or franchise, or value as a going concern, or future

profits in pending or existing contracts or prospective profits,

revenues, dividends or any other intangible element;

9. "Real property", without words of limitation, includes all uplands,

lands under water, waters of any lake, pond or stream, all water and

riparian rights or privileges, all dams, races, sluiceways, and

machinery connected therewith, and all land, water and rights necessary

to carry out any project or development provided for by title 17 of this

article, including the right to divert running water of any stream or

streams, and lands necessary for such diversion, and all easements and

incorporeal hereditaments, and every estate, interest and right, legal

or equitable in land and water, including terms for years and liens on

real property as above defined and all real property as above defined,

acquired and used for railroad, highway and other public purposes in any

county containing a part of the forest preserve as now constituted.

10. For other definitions, also applicable in this title, see section

15-0107.

Collected 2026-09-14T19:32:44Z. Source file · JSON

Browse this collection