City Council Members Note How New DEC Fresh Water Law Will Impact Jamestown | News, Sports, Vacancies

Councilman Bill Reynolds, R-Ward IV, brought the issue of how the Freshwater Wetlands Act would impact the city to the council during Monday’s meeting. PJ, photo by Sarah Holthaus

At least one City Council member says it’s time for the city to weigh in on new freshwater rules set to take effect in January.

Since the beginning of this year, new wetland regulations proposed by DEC as part of the Freshwater Wetlands Act have been met with protests from many local cities, villages and people in power. The list of those debating the issue has now expanded to the Jamestown City Council.

In 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed amendments to the Freshwater Wetlands Act, which was originally enacted in 1975 to regulate activities near larger wetlands larger than 12.4 acres and smaller wetlands considered to have unusual local significance. The new law eliminates the use of old and inaccurate maps and states that all wetlands larger than 12.4 acres will be subject to Title 24 regulations and will be monitored by the state DEC.

Councilman Bill Reynolds, R-District 5, brought the issue to the council during Monday’s meeting, saying the Freshwater Wetlands Act would impact the city.

“Yes, it will impact us as a city, and even though it’s narrow, it will impact the river and McCray Point,” Reynolds said. “I would like to make sure that this council, as well as the administration, knows that we may want to take some action, even to the extent of delaying the implementation of the state’s source of power there, the DEC.”

Reynolds noted that DEC operates without interference from any other government or entity in the state. He added that New Yorkers need to get a grip and call DEC so they know what the people of the state want.

“I’m in favor of taking some action, and maybe we can talk about it later,” Reynolds said. “But what is important for the city, and for the lower basin, and for the entire lake, there is fresh water everywhere. They are just taking the high road, trying to implement something that is not suitable for our region.”

Other areas of concern in Chautauqua County regarding the Freshwater Wetlands Act that will be impacted include Chautauqua Lake, Findlay Lake and other Class A lakes.