Exempts inland lakes which are navigable waterways and have an area of 150 acres or more from wetlands designations, not including great lakes.
Summary
A04692 would amend New York’s Environmental Conservation Law to exclude certain inland lakes from being designated as freshwater wetlands. Specifically, any inland lake that is a navigable waterway and is at least 150 acres in size would be exempt from wetlands designation when the Department of Environmental Conservation is delineating wetland boundaries. The bill expressly excludes the Great Lakes from the definition of “inland lake.”
In practical terms, the measure would narrow the scope of state wetland mapping and regulation for qualifying lakes, potentially reducing permitting, land-use restrictions, and other regulatory consequences that can follow a wetlands designation. The bill takes effect immediately if enacted.
Impact
The bill would modify ECL section 24-0301 by adding a new exemption to the state’s freshwater wetlands delineation rules. It would affect the Department of Environmental Conservation’s authority when identifying wetland boundaries and could remove certain large navigable inland lakes from wetlands protections and related regulatory oversight. Property owners, local governments, developers, and environmental regulators near qualifying lakes would be the most directly affected parties.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests the bill has generated some support but also meaningful resistance. In the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, it was held for consideration on a 19-8 vote, indicating that a majority of committee members were willing to advance or keep the bill under review, while a substantial minority opposed it. No transcript is available, so the broader debate is not documented here, but the vote pattern suggests the proposal is not uncontested.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the balance between land-use flexibility and environmental protection. Supporters would likely view the bill as preventing overbroad wetlands designations on large navigable lakes, which could ease development, recreation, and property-use constraints. Opponents would likely argue that exempting sizable inland lakes from wetlands designation could weaken habitat protection, water quality safeguards, and the state’s ability to regulate ecologically sensitive areas. The committee vote shows that environmental regulation versus property and development interests is the central divide.
Same As
Exempts inland lakes which are navigable waterways and have an area of 150 acres or more from wetlands designations, not including great lakes.