BILL NUMBER: S5181

SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
prohibiting the discharge of any radiological agent into the waters of
the state

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

Prohibits the discharge of any radiological agent into New York State
water.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the environmental conservation law by adding a new
section 17-0513 that prohibits the throw, drain, run or otherwise
discharge (directly or indirectly) of any radiological agent into the
waters of the state. Failure to comply shall result in fines of $25,000
per day for a first violation, $50,000 per day for a second violation
and $150,000 per day per violation thereafter. The Attorney General
              

shall have jurisdiction to enforce these provisions.

Section 2 states the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Hudson river serves as a drinking water source for over 100,000 New
Yorkers. The potential release of radioactive contaminants to our
state's most influential river is an urgent matter to the residents of
Peekskill and all other communities along the tidal estuary.  Exposure
to toxic substances and radioactive material poses not only a possible
health risk, but also a serious economic risk to our communities with
potential negative impacts on real estate values.

To protect the health and economic well being of its residents, New York
must take a strong stance against radiological dumping into state
waters. Existing regulations represent the minimum protections the state
is required to provide and must evolve over time to be more protective.
As climate change continues to threaten us, our water sources will serve
as a competitive edge to resiliency. We must ensure they are protected
and preserved.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.