NY S01103

Establishes the New York State Cooperative Watershed Management Program within the Department of Environmental Conservation to fund watershed networks in developing local and regional water management solutions

Defines watershed networks as self-sustaining, non-regulatory, consensus-based groups composed of diverse stakeholders including lake associations, municipalities, federal/state/local agencies, tribal nations, and non-profits

Provides development grants of up to $20,000 for activities such as creating bylaws, stakeholder outreach, and pursuing nonprofit status, available no more than once every five years per network

Provides professionalization grants of up to $40,000 for hiring staff, developing restoration plans, and designing management projects, available annually for up to three consecutive years per network

Requires applicant networks to include two or more public or private stakeholders and demonstrate buy-in through complete budget proposals and letters of support