N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 15-2907: Water resources management strategy; development purpose

§ 15-2907. Water resources management strategy; development purpose.

Not later than January first, nineteen hundred eighty-seven, the

department of environmental conservation, with the participation of the

department of health and whenever possible, regional planning and

development boards, shall develop and submit a complete statewide water

resources management strategy to the water resources planning council

for its review and adoption. This strategy shall be composed of substate

water resources management strategies which recognize the natural

boundaries of the water resource basins, watersheds, and aquifers and

existing significant deficiencies of water supply, and which organize

these in the most practical and manageable manner. Each substate

management strategy shall analyze the present and future demographic,

natural resource, economic development, water quality, and conservation

requirements of public and private water systems and develop regional

management strategies to meet the water resources requirements of

residential, agricultural, industrial and commercial users as well as

assure the highest possible quality and quantity of these resources.

Strategies shall analyze the efficiency and capacity of existing water

supply sources and facilities and shall contain recommendations for

appropriate modifications, restoration, and expansion or development of

new sources or facilities. Such strategies shall also include

evaluations and recommendations as to the feasibility of including

hydroelectric energy generation facilities as part of the modifications,

restoration, and expansion or development of new or existing resources

or facilities. The strategy shall also contain recommendations regarding

implementation of these strategies by the department of health, the

department of environmental conservation, other appropriate state

agencies, local governments and special districts. In addition, the

departments shall submit to the council substate water resources

management strategies as soon as such strategies are developed. The

departments shall also report regularly to the council on the

development of the strategies and receive the council's recommendations

and directions. Such substate strategies shall also be available for

public inspection as soon as such strategies are developed.