Referred to: The Energy and Environment Committee (Chairman R. Parete and

Legislators Bartels, Heppner, Lapp, and Wawro)

Legislator John R. Parete and Legislator R. Parete and Legislators Heppner, and

Wawro offer the following:

WHEREAS, contained within the County of Ulster are many rivers, streams,

creeks and other waterways that are critical to the economic development of Ulster

County; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature recognizes the importance of

maintaining the waterways in Ulster County to preserve the natural beauty of Ulster

County, to help protect against flooding and resulting property damage, to ensure the

safety of individuals using waterways for recreation, and to provide opportunities for

economic development; and

WHEREAS, the long-term importance of this issue warrants thorough fact

finding, public examination and study to establish a lasting plan for the maintenance

of the waterways situated within Ulster County, and identification of potential

barriers to economic development; and

WHEREAS, the Ulster County Legislature recognizes the importance of

collaboration with the local municipalities, the New York State Department of

Environmental Conservation, the New York City Department of Environmental

Protection and other state and federal agencies on these important issues; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Ulster County Charter Section C-16 and the

Administrative Code Section A2-11: “Advisory committees, commissions and boards.

Members of all citizens’ committees, commissions and boards appointed pursuant to

Section C-11K of the Charter shall serve at the pleasure of the County Legislature.

They shall serve without compensation other than for actual and necessary expenses

within appropriations made therefor, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the

County Legislature. The Chairman of the County Legislature shall be a member exofficio of all such committees, commissions and boards”; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the “ULSTER COUNTY WATERWAYS ADVISORY

COMMITTEE” shall be established for the purpose of:

a. Conducting a thorough examination and study of the waterways within

Ulster County for the purpose of creating a maintenance plan to protect

against flooding and resulting property damage, and to mitigate potential

life-threatening dangers; 

b. Retaining the services of an expert in the field of water management or

other related fields, within Legislative appropriations, that may provide the

Advisory Committee with knowledge and insight into the various issues

confronting the maintenance of Ulster County waterways;

c. Facilitating communication with the New York City Department of

Environmental Protection to provide assistance with issues specific to

regulations imposed on residents and businesses situated within the New

York City Watershed; and

d. By no later than October 31, 2016, the Advisory Committee shall present

its findings to the Legislature recommending next steps for carrying out

the maintenance of Ulster County waterways, and detailing specific

barriers to development faced by residents and businesses within the NYC

Watershed; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the membership of the Ulster County Waterways Advisory

Committee shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature

comprised of the following members:

1. The Chairman of the Ulster County Legislature or his or her representative,

who shall serve as Chairman of the Advisory Committee;

2. Two additional Legislative members;

3. A member of the Ulster County Supervisors and Mayors Association

representing a municipality within the NYC Watershed; and

4. A member of the public at large who owns or operates a business within

Ulster County effected by an Ulster County waterway;

and, be it further

RESOLVED, the Ulster County Waterways Advisory Committee will seek

input from groups including, but not limited to, the Environmental Management

Council, the Ulster County Trails Advisory Committee, Ulster County Soil and

Water Conservation District, the Coalition of Watershed Towns, the Ashokan

Watershed Stream Management Program and the Catskill Watershed

Corporation; and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the County Executive may appoint staff from the Executive

branch of government to assist the Ulster County Waterways Advisory Committee in

its work, 

and move its adoption

 ADOPTED AS AMENDED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: 23 NOES: 0

Passed Committee: Energy and Environment Committee on January 21, 2016

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

NONE

Legislator Bartels motioned, seconded by Legislator J. Parete, to amend the second to

last RESOLVED by adding “the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program”

as indicated above in bold font.

MOTION ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES: 23 NOES: 0

STATE OF NEW YORK

 ss:

COUNTY OF ULSTER

I, the undersigned Clerk of the Legislature of the County of Ulster, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is

the original resolution adopted by the Ulster County Legislature on the 26th Day of January in the year Two Thousand and

Sixteen, and said resolution shall remain on file in the office of said clerk.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of the County of Ulster this 29th Day of January

in the year Two Thousand and Sixteen.

|s| Victoria A. Fabella

Victoria A. Fabella, Clerk

Ulster County Legislature