Establishes a stakeholder group in the Oswego river basin

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Steve Otis and 1 co-sponsor

Establishes a stakeholder group to coordinate flood-related water releases in the Oswego River basin and evaluate options, including regulatory changes or a new independent distric

ADVANCED TO THIRD READING CAL.476

Overview

A 10117 is a New York Assembly bill introduced in the 2025-2026 session that would establish a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego River basin. The bill amends the canal law to create a formal process for evaluating and coordinating flood storage management and water releases during high-flow events.

Main purpose and intent

Create a structured, collaborative process to coordinate flood-related water releases in the Oswego River basin.

Build a framework for evaluating approaches to water release coordination, including possible regulatory changes or new governance structures.

Explore alternatives to improve communication and management of flood water discharges during high-flow periods.

Key provisions

New Section 130-a of the canal law: Oswego river basin water release coordination.

Formation of a stakeholder group within six months of the bill’s effective date.
Membership to include:
All entities with the ability or responsibility to control flood water discharges to or from major water bodies in the Oswego basin and their tributaries.
Community stakeholder groups.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Subject matter experts.
Responsibilities of the stakeholder group:
Review all available information on flood storage above lake rule curves and watershed releases during high-flow events.
Consider relevant modeling and data.
Within six months of formation, provide recommendations to the Governor, the Temporary President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the Assembly.
Potential recommendations to be considered by the stakeholder group:
Continuation, expansion, or reconstitution of the stakeholder group for coordinated purposes.
Legislative mandate requiring coordination of water releases.
Creation of an independent water regulating district with authority to direct water releases under Title 21 of Article 15 of the Environmental Conservation Law.

Effective date: The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who would be affected

State agencies and entities involved in flood water management and releases in the Oswego River basin.

The DEC (as a coordinating and technical advisor).

Community stakeholder groups affected by flood management decisions.

Any future regulatory bodies or districts that might be created as a result of recommendations (e.g., an independent water regulating district).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Formation timeline: Stakeholder group to be formed within six months of the act’s effective date.

Reporting timeline: Stakeholder group must review information and make initial recommendations within six months after formation.

Possible outcomes include:

Legislative or regulatory changes to mandate coordinated water releases.
Establishment of an independent water regulating district with authority over releases (subject to further legislative action).

Notes

The bill does not itself create new regulatory authority immediately but contemplates several potential pathways, including continuing the stakeholder group, legislative mandates for coordination, or creation of an independent district.

If enacted, the policy would shift toward formalized coordination and potential restructuring of how flood-related water releases are managed in the Oswego basin.