Establishes maximum contaminant levels in drinking water for certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); sets such levels at no higher than 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and no higher than 10 parts per trillion (ppt) for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA).
This bill creates a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin, directly affecting entities managing flood discharges, local communities, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, including modeling, and recommend a regulatory structure for coordinating water releases during high-flow events. Within six months of forming, the group must propose options to the governor and legislature, such as continuing the group, mandating coordination, or establishing a water regulating district. The bill requires the group to consider all available data and make specific recommendations on how to improve communication and water management during flood events.
Enacts the "PFAS discharge disclosure act"; requires certain SPDES permit holders to conduct PFAS monitoring and disclose the results from such monitoring.
Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to restrict the taking of fish, shellfish and crustacea in special management areas.
Requires the community gardens task force to conduct an assessment of all community gardens located on publicly owned land in the state to facilitate each garden's designation as a critical environmental area.
Directs the commissioner to publicly publish an annual report on the environmental radiation surveillance program and analyze such report showing trends and cumulative impact, as well as notify other relevant agencies if contamination has exceeded EPA standards for maximum amounts of contamination allowed in drinking water or food.
This bill establishes New York's "Farmland for a New Generation" program to support farmland access and transfer. It creates a statewide resource center (partnering with American Farmland Trust) and regional navigators to help new farmers find affordable land, assist established farmers in succession planning, connect landowners with farmers, and support conservation easements. The program requires state funding for the resource center and financial assistance for regional navigators through organizations like Cornell Cooperative Extension. It directly affects farmers, landowners, and agricultural businesses seeking to start, expand, or transfer farmland operations across New York.
This bill requires New York's Environmental Conservation and Health departments to establish new lead exposure standards within 180 days. The standards will address lead in soil, floors, window sills, and air to protect children's health, meeting or exceeding federal benchmarks (like 40 CFR Part 745 as of January 2025). It mandates that all new standards must prevent blood lead levels from exceeding safe thresholds. The law expires one year after enactment unless implemented earlier.
Extends DEC's authority to regulate management of crabs; authorizes the department of environmental conservation to take any actions necessary to ensure any quota limiting the taking of horseshoe crabs does not exceed certain thresholds.
Relates to finding alternatives to the use of pesticides in the monarch preservation plan and allowing agricultural lands that are not in active production be used to enhance the monarch butterfly habitat.
