BILL NUMBER: S1211
SPONSOR: MAY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act in relation to enacting the "New York open water data act"
 
PURPOSE:
To bring together the state's water-related agencies to collaborate on
making critical water data available to the public, ensuring that water
resources are managed more efficiently and giving water users access to
the data they need to make informed decisions
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Sets short title as the New York Open Water Data Act.
Section 2: Definitions, including the agencies to be involved in open
water data work, including the Water Resources Institute at Cornell, Sea
Grant at Stony Brook University, Department of Environmental Conserva-
tion, Department of Health's Bureau of Water Supply Protection, Depart-
ment of Agriculture and Markets, Canal Corporation, Public Service
Commission, and New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
Section 3: Sets forth duties and standards to implement the Open Water
Data Act. By Jan 1 2027, the agencies identify key data, develop common
standards for data collection and dissemination, make such data accessi-
ble to the public, and develop a framework to include data from citizen
scientists. All water research funded by the state will comply with the
data standards set forth. Requires the agencies to collaborate wherever
possible with other regional, national, and international efforts. By
Sep 1 2027, and each year thereafter, the agencies will submit a plan to
the Governor and legislature on implementation and future needs to keep
the state's water data current.
Section 4: Funding for the Open Water Data Act will be subject to appro-
priations.
Section 5: Effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State is blessed with abundant fresh water. From the Great
Lakes and Fingers Lakes to the St. Lawrence to the Long Island aquifers,
every corner of the state has its own unique watersheds. As global warm-
ing dries up lakes and rivers elsewhere, New York will increasingly
become a magnet for those seeking a livable climate. As a state, we must
make every effort to steward our fresh water long into the future. A
critical step toward creating,the best long-term policies is ensuring
that we have access to the best data available.
In Western states like California, Arizona, and New Mexico, significant
efforts are underway to modernize and standardize water data in the face
of drought. Like many sources of public data, water data is managed at a
variety of levels of government by many different agencies and entities.
Data is not always shared widely or maintained with an eye toward
inter-operability. Good data is always a key element for good policymak-
ing. By following in the steps of these Western states, New York can
address its own water governance issues by building better data prac-
tices and by making public water data more widely available. By asking
water-related agencies to come together to create a common set of water
data standards for the state and a public-facing interface where such
data can be shared, viewed, and used by interested parties, we will
facilitate better water governance in the state. Protecting New York's
public water long into the future must be a key goal of the state, and
an effort to modernize our water data is a key step toward doing so.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: S.239-E (May) / A.3299-E (Kelles) DIED IN THE ASSEMBLY
2021-2022: S.9520 (May)
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.