15-2715. Designation of additions to the system.1. The commissioner or agency shall study and from time to time submit to the governor and to the legislature proposals for the addition to the state wild, scenic and recreational rivers system of river areas which, in their judgment, fall within one or more of the descriptive classes set out in this title. Each proposal shall specify the class or classes of the proposed addition and shall be accompanied by a detailed report on the factors which, in the judgment of the commissioner or agency, make the area a worthy addition to the system. The report shall show the area included within the proposal; the characteristics which make the area a worthy addition to the system; the current status of land ownership and use in the area; the anticipated acquisitions of land and scenic or other easements in the area; the potential uses of the land and water; and the cost of acquisitions of land and scenic or other easements and improvements proposed. The commissioner or agency shall send the report to the legislative authority of each county, town, and municipal corporation, any part of which is within the area, and to the commissioner of transportation, commissioner of agriculture and markets, commissioner of health, and commissioner of commerce. Thereafter, each proposal shall be submitted to the governor and the legislature for adoption or modification. This section is not intended to preclude or discourage studies and proposals by other agencies or by citizen groups working independently or with the commissioner or the agency, provided that such studies and proposals shall be conducted and made in accordance with the criteria and procedures set forth in this subdivision and shall be submitted to the agency or the commissioner as appropriate for comment prior to submission of any proposal to the governor or the legislature. The commissioner and the agency shall provide technical assistance to and cooperate with any such agencies and citizen groups.
2. Not later than three years after the effective date upon which each of the following rivers shall have been designated for study by inclusion in this subdivision, the agency, after consultation and cooperation with the commissioner with respect to rivers within the Adirondack park, or the commissioner with respect to rivers elsewhere, is hereby directed to consider and make proposals to the legislature for the addition of each such river to the state wild, scenic and recreational rivers system :
a. The Batten Kill river from the Vermont state line to the dam at Greenwich.
b. The Delaware river from Port Jervis to the junction of the East and West Branches of the Delaware river, and the East Branch of the Delaware river upstream to the Downsville dam, and the West Branch of the Delaware river upstream to the Cannonsville dam.
c. The Genesee river from the Pennsylvania state line to Letchworth State Park.
d. The Susquehanna river from Otsego lake to Bainbridge at the Route 206 crossing.
g. Bouquet river--Approximately twenty-four miles of the North Branch from Trout pond to the confluence with the Main Branch.
h. The Branch--Approximately sixteen miles from Elk lake to the confluence with the Schroon river.
i. East Stoney creek--Approximately eighteen miles from Harrisburg lake to Great Sacandaga lake.
j. Grasse river--Approximately twenty-five miles of the Main Branch from the confluence with the South Branch to the village of Canton.
l. Osgood river--Approximately fourteen miles from Jones pond to Meacham lake.
m. Oswegatchie river--Approximately eleven miles of the Main Branch from the Cranberry lake outlet to River road.
n. Pleasant Lake stream--Approximately seven miles from Pleasant lake to the confluence with the Middle Branch of the Grasse river.
o. Saranac river--Approximately seventeen miles of the North Branch from Mud pond to the confluence with the Main Branch.
Last modified: February 3, 2019