Green Watchdog Lauds NYS Senate for Acting to Protect State's Waters from Wasteful Withdrawals

ALBANY, NY (06/16/2011)(readMedia)-- Environmental Advocates of New York applauded the New York State Senate today for unanimously passing legislation that will protect the state's water resources. One of the environmental community's priority "Super Bills" for 2011, the measure (A.5318-A / S.3798), will protect New York's waters from wasteful withdrawals by requiring anyone with the capacity to withdraw more than 100,000 gallons of water per day to first obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

"Right now in the Empire State, only one-third of our waters are protected from overuse. Large industrial users can take as much as they want, whenever they want, from the other two-thirds of New York's waters. The Water Withdrawal Permit Program fixes that," said Robert Moore, Environmental Advocates of New York' Executive Director. "Requiring the industries that benefit from New York's world-class water to first obtain a permit is a small price to pay, but one that will reap big dividends for all New Yorkers for generations to come."

The Assembly passed the Water Withdrawal Permitting Program bill as part of the house's Earth Day package earlier this year. Governor Andrew Cuomo is expected to sign the legislation into law.

The Super Bills are selected each year by the Green Panel, which includes representatives of: more than a dozen environmental organizations from across the state. Lawmakers receive bonus points for votes in support of the Super Bills in EPL/Environmental Advocates' annual Voters' Guide, the only scorecard that grades legislators according to their votes on bills that would hurt or protect New York's air, land, and water.

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Environmental Advocates of New York's mission is to protect our air, land, water and wildlife and the health of all New Yorkers. Based in Albany, we monitor state government, evaluate proposed laws, and champion policies and practices that will ensure the responsible stewardship of our shared environment. We work to support and strengthen the efforts of New York's environmental community and to make our state a national leader. For more information, please visit www.eany.org.