Environment (Water Quality)

This bill allows local water and sewer authorities to charge fees based on property size and impervious area (like paved surfaces that prevent rain absorption) to fund stormwater management. Authorities can offer fee discounts for income-eligible properties or credits for installing eco-friendly solutions like permeable pavement that reduce runoff. All collected fees must directly support stormwater management programs within the district, including green infrastructure projects. Agricultural properties may be exempt from these fees, and revenue cannot duplicate existing stormwater funding.

S 1833 creates New York's "harmful algal bloom monitoring and prevention act," establishing a state program to address toxic algae outbreaks in waterways. It requires state agencies to collect, consolidate, and analyze statewide data on harmful algal blooms (HABs), including water conditions and prevention efforts, and maintain a public database. The law mandates annual publication of region-specific best practices for HAB prevention and a comprehensive five-year report with public input, recommending coordinated state and local actions. This directly affects state environmental agencies and local municipalities managing water resources, focusing on data-driven prevention rather than new regulations.