NY sets hearings on water use regulations

Dec. 5, 2011, 3:01 a.m. EST

AP

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York regulators are holding public hearings this month on new permit rules for withdrawals of large amounts of water.

Before Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation in August, large water withdrawals for agricultural, commercial and industrial users were largely unregulated. New rules drafted under the legislation require a permit for withdrawals of 100,000 gallons or more of water per day.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens says the regulations preserve and protect New York's water resources, including the Great Lakes. The rules also enable the state to comply with the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basic Water Resources Compact.

Hearings are scheduled for Dec. 6 in New Paltz, Dec. 8 in West Henrietta, and Dec. 12 in Albany.

Details of the regulations are on the DEC website (http://1.usa.gov/rSR4an).