County Legislators Back Measure Urging Governor to Delay Implementing New DEC Wetland Regulations

The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved a resolution urging Governor Kathy Hochul to delay the implementation of new wetlands regulations on bodies of water, including Chautauqua Lake. The measure was approved by a 13-6 vote during the legislature's monthly meeting in Mayville on Wednesday. Jamestown Democrat Tom Nelson says he watched a video of New York State DEC officials answering some pointed questions about their impact on the lake. Nelson believes their answers should allay the fears of the many lake groups and property owners...

Tom Nelson: new docks will need permits

Nelson adds that any ordinary maintenance or repair of existing structures within 100 feet of a wetland area would be exempt. However, Ellicott Republican Lisa Vanstrom argued that the DEC has a tendency to overreach...

Lisa Vanstrom: DEC tends to overreach

Republican Martin Proctor, whose district includes Findley Lake, says they simply want a delay to get answers to some critical questions...

Martin Proctor: plenty of unanswered questions

Several lake groups and other property owners spoke out in favor of the resolution. They believe that if the new regulations take effect, they won't be able to put out docks, use watercraft, and maintain their property adequately. They added that they believe they could have a devastating impact on the local tourism economy as well. The new regulations are set to take effect on January 1st.

File photo