NYS Health Department Continuing Review of Proposed Owasco Lake Rules and Regulations

The New York State Health Department is continuing with its review of the proposed watershed rules and regulations for Owasco Lake.

The draft rules were originally sent to the state in December of 2020 for review; however, Eileen O’Connor, Director of the Cayuga County Health Department’s environmental health division, says that certain factors, such as COVID-19 and Mary Bassett’s resignation as state health commissioner, caused a pause in action.

She adds that the state is resuming its work.

The state health department is expected to convene a meeting with local groups in March after meeting with their legal team.

Local officials and advocacy groups have been urging the state to act on protecting the health of the lake.