NY S08280

Establishes a permit requirement for water withdrawals equal to or greater than 100,000 gallons per day, with exemptions for fire suppression, geothermal heat pumps, agricultural purposes (if registered by April 1, 2011), and compact basin commission-approved withdrawals.

Requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to promulgate regulations for water withdrawal permitting that establish minimum operational standards, monitoring and reporting requirements, and protections for potable water sources, with permits valid for up to 10 years.

Mandates registration of agricultural water withdrawals exceeding 100,000 gallons per day in the Great Lakes Basin and reporting of all agricultural withdrawals above that threshold, with annual registration renewal required.

Prohibits new or increased interbasin diversions exceeding 1 million gallons per day without registration, with all existing diversions above this threshold required to be registered by April 1, 2012, and prohibits any diversions from the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin except limited exceptions for public water supply systems.

Increases civil penalties from $2,500 to $2,500 per violation plus $500 per day (increased from $100) for violations, and repeals prior water conservation and withdrawal reporting titles effective December 31, 2013.