Designates Glencoma lake, Lincolndale lake, MacGregor lake, Mahopac lake, Secor lake, Shenorock lake, Teakettle Spout lake and Wixon lake as inland waterways.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9666A
SPONSOR: Katz TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the executive law, in relation to
designating Glencoma lake, Lincolndale lake, MacGregor lake, Mahopac
lake, Secor lake, Shenorack lake, Teakettle Spout lake and Wixon lake as
inland waterways for purposes of waterfront revitalization
PURPOSE:
Designates Glencoma lake, Lincolndale lake, MacGregor lake, Mahopac
Lake, Secor lake, Shenorock lake, Teakettle Spout lake, Wixon lake as
inland waterways.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section one amends paragraph (a) of subdivision 4 of section 911,
regarding the definition of "inland waterways" to include the following
lakes: Glencoma, Lincolndale, McGregor, Mahopac, Secor, Shenorock, Teak-
ettle Spout and Wixon.
JUSTIFICATION:
The towns of Somers and Carmel face a myriad of water quality challenges
in the New Croton/Muscoot Reservoir Watershed, as several of their
communities must balance the recreational access to the lakes, which are
closely intertwined with the water supply system for the greater New
York City Metropolitan Area.
Lake Mahopac is not impaired, the recreational suitability of the lake
is described most frequently as "could not be nicer." However, it should
be classified as an inland waterway to make use of the local waterfront
revitalization planning (LWRP) process for economic development
purposes. Furthermore, as headwaters for major watershed sub-basins and
drainage basins, classifying it as an inland waterway fits the program-
matic goal of taking a watershed wide approach to local waterfront revi-
talization planning to address water quality and water quantity issues
on a regional basis.
Kirk Lake, a vital supply of drinking water, was formed from Lake Maho-
pac. While Kirk Lake empties into the Muscoot Drainage Basin, Lake Maho-
pac empties into the Plum Brook Drainage Basin, where dams have been
formed at Teakettle Sprout Lake and Glencoma Lake. Along with Kirk Lake,
which is owned by New York City, Lake Secor, Lake MacGregor and Lake
Mahopac form the headwaters of the Muscoot River. This river feeds the
Amawalk Reservoir. Its lower section is a priority impaired waterway.
Protecting its headwaters as inland waterways will help the town of
Carmel submit a realistic local waterfront revitalization plan that has
a chance to compete for funding.
Lake Shenorock is formed from the Muscoot Drainage Basin. Lake Shenorock
is a priority waterbody affected by algal weed growth and phosphorous.
It was recently included on the USCWA § 303(d) List of Impaired Waters.
Recreational uses of the lake are considered to be impaired due to algal
growth and low water transparency. Elevated nutrient (phosphorus) levels
attributed to nonpoint sources are the primary contributor to these
impairments. Adding Lake Shenorock to the list of inland waterways will
help mitigate these environmental concerns.
Lake Shenorock outflows almost directly into the Amawalk Resevoir, which
is created by damming the lower section of the Muscoot River. The
Reservoir is also fed by Lake Lincolndale, which is formed from the Plum
Brook Drainage Basin fed initially from Lake Mahopac. Recreational uses
in Lake Lincolndale are considered to be impaired due to algal growth
and low water transparency. Elevated nutrient (phosphorus) levels attri-
buted to nonpoint sources are the primary contributor to recreational
and aesthetic impairments. Urban/storm runoff and on-site (septic)
systems are thought to be sources of these pollutants. Lake Lincolndale
has been on the § 303(d) List of Impaired Waters for some time for phos-
phorous, and was at one time for pathogens. The Plum Brook Watershed
Sub-Basin which is fed by this drainage basin is also a municipally
identified flood prone area as it empties into Angle Fly Brook Subwat-
ershed Area.
Establishing these areas as inland waterways will help the town of
Somers in submitting a realistic LWRP for the northwestern portion of
the town in order to address the water quality and quantity issues in
the Heritage Hills, Lake Shenorock and Lake Lincolndale planned communi-
ties.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the state
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.
