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Albany, NY – New York regulators are holding public hearings this month on new permit rules for withdrawals of large amounts of water. WAMC's Tristan O'Neill reports...
Before Governor 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 December 6 in New Paltz, December 8 in West Henrietta, and December 12 in Albany.
Details of the regulations are on the DEC website.
Tristan O'Neill, WAMC News.
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