NY A08039

Authorizes Suffolk County Legislature to create a county-wide wastewater management district encompassing all 26 existing county sewer districts and unsewered areas to address nitrogen pollution in the sole-source aquifer serving Long Island.

Grants the district powers to establish one or more assessment zones, acquire property easements, prioritize projects based on the Suffolk County subwatershed wastewater management plan, and distribute grant funds aligned with watershed goals.

Establishes a steering committee comprising representatives from environmental conservation, municipalities, environmental organizations, county officials, and department heads to monitor implementation and recommend resource allocation.

Authorizes the district to levy special assessments, ad valorem levies, and sewer rents on properties within the district, with revenues from each assessment zone kept separate unless approved by the legislature upon steering committee recommendation.

Exempts special assessments and ad valorem levies authorized under this section from the county's tax levy limit and removes state comptroller approval requirements for district creation and future improvements.