Elected state officials to contact:
Governor Eliot Spitzer
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
phone: (518) 474-8390
State Assemblymember RoAnn M. Destito
~ 116th Assembly District –
e-mail: destitr@assembly.state.ny.us
~ Albany Office ~
Room 621
Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
phone: (518) 455-5454
~ District Office ~
Room 401
State Office Building
207 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501
phone: (315) 732-1055
State Senator Joseph A. Griffo
~ 47th Senate District ~
~ Albany Office ~
Room 944 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
phone: (518) 455-3334
fax: (518) 426-6921
~ District Office ~
207 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501
phone: (315) 793-9072
fax: (315) 793-0298
State Assemblymember David R. Townsend
~ 115th Assembly District – see map attached
e-mail: townsed@assembly.state.ny.us
~ Albany Office ~
Room 458 Legislative Office Building
Albany, NY 12248
phone: (518) 455-5334
~ District Office ~
4767 State Route 233
P.O. Box 597
Westmoreland, NY 13490
phone: (315) 853-7260
Thursday, August 23, 2007
West Canada Creek--Letter
August xx, 2007
Assemblymember RoAnn M. Destito - 116th AD
Room 621 Room 401
Legislative Office Building State Office Building
Albany, NY 12248 207 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501
Opposition to A 03381-A West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act
Dear Assemblymember Destito:
I live in XXXXX, and I depend on West Canada Creek’s water for day-to-day living needs and also for recreation. I’m very concerned about the water quality and quantity in the West Canada Creek/Hinckley system, especially in light of all the current debate going on presently. I think the legislation you are proposing will make a bad situation worse.
I oppose the “West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act” and urge you to reconsider your support for the measure. If this bill is passed, it will be harmful to the ecology now and in the long-term.
What is needed is to conduct a thorough scientific study of this entire system. Before any major changes that could adversely affect the entire system are implemented, we must clearly understand all the problems, identify all the system’s users, and evaluate the different scenarios for environmental impacts.
We also need to enforce the regulations already on the books. Those existing regulations mandate that scientific information be collected and reviewed before any action can be taken for increased water withdrawals. This has not been done yet.
Thank you very much for your interst in this issue.
XXXXXXXX
xxxxxxxx
Assemblymember RoAnn M. Destito - 116th AD
Room 621 Room 401
Legislative Office Building State Office Building
Albany, NY 12248 207 Genesee Street
Utica, NY 13501
Opposition to A 03381-A West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act
Dear Assemblymember Destito:
I live in XXXXX, and I depend on West Canada Creek’s water for day-to-day living needs and also for recreation. I’m very concerned about the water quality and quantity in the West Canada Creek/Hinckley system, especially in light of all the current debate going on presently. I think the legislation you are proposing will make a bad situation worse.
I oppose the “West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act” and urge you to reconsider your support for the measure. If this bill is passed, it will be harmful to the ecology now and in the long-term.
What is needed is to conduct a thorough scientific study of this entire system. Before any major changes that could adversely affect the entire system are implemented, we must clearly understand all the problems, identify all the system’s users, and evaluate the different scenarios for environmental impacts.
We also need to enforce the regulations already on the books. Those existing regulations mandate that scientific information be collected and reviewed before any action can be taken for increased water withdrawals. This has not been done yet.
Thank you very much for your interst in this issue.
XXXXXXXX
xxxxxxxx
West Canada Creek --Action
Talking Points
Opposition to
Assembly Bill: A 03381-A West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act
(Destito is sponsor)
Senate Bill: S 4176-A West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act
(Griffo is sponsor)
O I strongly oppose the so-called “West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act” and urge you to reconsider your support for the measure. It is premature and ill-advised. Rather, what is needed at this critical juncture is:
(1) a comprehensive, scientific watershed analysis on the West Canada Creek, and
(2) enforcement of current regulations.
O I do support the legislative initiative presently being developed by Assemblymember Marc Butler to fund a comprehensive, scientific watershed analysis of the West Canada Creek system.
O Beneficial uses for Hinckley Reservoir and the West Canada Creek include trout waters, recreation, including boating and fishing, water supply, and energy supply. The system faces increased pressures. Hydro plants are peaking; there is a demand for more water for development, and all of this has led to increased involvement by affected citizens.
O I think we need to develop a program for identifying and addressing direct and cumulative impacts of the various uses of the creek to ensure an appropriate balance between the competing uses of these waters that is protective of all uses and that will restore and protect these important water resources.
O I have a growing worry regarding adverse impacts to fish and wildlife and recreational uses of West Canada Creek. I am concerned that the uses of water supply and energy supply are degrading the more sensitive uses of fish and wildlife and recreation.
(1) Need for watershed analysis
One major problem is a lack of scientific information. A comprehensive scientific study of West Canada Creek is what is needed. This is essential if all stakeholders are to understand the complex issues involved in flow management. Such a study can only help resolve the impasses that are facing us now.
Before any major changes that could adversely affect the entire system are implemented, we must clearly understand all the problems, identify all the system’s users, and evaluate the different scenarios for environmental impacts.
(2) Need for enforcement of current regulations
Additionally, such a study is required under current law. New York State’s Environmental Quality Review Act mandates that scientific information be collected and reviewed before any action can be taken for increased water withdrawals. This has not been done yet.
Energy and water supply uses are already adversely affecting fish and wildlife and recreational uses on the West Canada Creek system. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has the duty to address the adverse impacts on fish and wildlife and recreational uses. DEC’s legal authorities/responsibilities come from the Clean Water Act, the state’s Environmental Conservation Law, and the state’s Environmental Quality Review Act.
Opposition to
Assembly Bill: A 03381-A West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act
(Destito is sponsor)
Senate Bill: S 4176-A West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act
(Griffo is sponsor)
O I strongly oppose the so-called “West Canada Creek Riparian Rights Act” and urge you to reconsider your support for the measure. It is premature and ill-advised. Rather, what is needed at this critical juncture is:
(1) a comprehensive, scientific watershed analysis on the West Canada Creek, and
(2) enforcement of current regulations.
O I do support the legislative initiative presently being developed by Assemblymember Marc Butler to fund a comprehensive, scientific watershed analysis of the West Canada Creek system.
O Beneficial uses for Hinckley Reservoir and the West Canada Creek include trout waters, recreation, including boating and fishing, water supply, and energy supply. The system faces increased pressures. Hydro plants are peaking; there is a demand for more water for development, and all of this has led to increased involvement by affected citizens.
O I think we need to develop a program for identifying and addressing direct and cumulative impacts of the various uses of the creek to ensure an appropriate balance between the competing uses of these waters that is protective of all uses and that will restore and protect these important water resources.
O I have a growing worry regarding adverse impacts to fish and wildlife and recreational uses of West Canada Creek. I am concerned that the uses of water supply and energy supply are degrading the more sensitive uses of fish and wildlife and recreation.
(1) Need for watershed analysis
One major problem is a lack of scientific information. A comprehensive scientific study of West Canada Creek is what is needed. This is essential if all stakeholders are to understand the complex issues involved in flow management. Such a study can only help resolve the impasses that are facing us now.
Before any major changes that could adversely affect the entire system are implemented, we must clearly understand all the problems, identify all the system’s users, and evaluate the different scenarios for environmental impacts.
(2) Need for enforcement of current regulations
Additionally, such a study is required under current law. New York State’s Environmental Quality Review Act mandates that scientific information be collected and reviewed before any action can be taken for increased water withdrawals. This has not been done yet.
Energy and water supply uses are already adversely affecting fish and wildlife and recreational uses on the West Canada Creek system. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has the duty to address the adverse impacts on fish and wildlife and recreational uses. DEC’s legal authorities/responsibilities come from the Clean Water Act, the state’s Environmental Conservation Law, and the state’s Environmental Quality Review Act.
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