Three years ago, Auburn and Owasco submitted 22 pages of proposed rules and regulations to protect Owasco Lake and its watershed to New York. Earlier this month, the state finally sent back its revisions totaling only nine pages.
According to the City Councilor Jimmy Giannettino, the state gave no explanation as to why it gutted over half of the multi-municipal approved rules. He says what New York offered in return will not allow Auburn and Owasco to properly protect the lake.
“Basically what they’ve given us really serves as nothing more as window dressing and does not allow us to adequately protect Owasco Lake,” Giannettino told Finger Lakes News Radio.
He feels the governor needs to step in or it could lead to disaster.
The drinking water of 45,000, in my opinion, is now in the hands of Governor Hochul. We need her to intervene on our behalf in a meaningful way. I fear that, if that does not happen, Auburn, New York will become the next Flint, Michigan.”
The City of Auburn and the Town of Owasco are responsible for the clean drinking water of over 45,000 people.
