NY S07649

New York State Canal Corporation must form a stakeholder group within six months to evaluate coordinating water releases in the Oswego river basin, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Stakeholder group must include entities controlling flood water discharges in the basin, community groups, the Department of Environmental Conservation, and subject matter experts.

Stakeholder group shall review flood storage options and watershed releases during high flow events, then make recommendations to the governor, senate president, and assembly speaker within six months on regulatory structures for coordinating water releases.

Recommendations must consider alternatives including continuation or expansion of the stakeholder group, legislative mandates for coordination, or establishing an independent water regulating district under Environmental Conservation Law.

Legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.