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Committee postpones public hearing on rights‑of‑nature local law after policy‑vs‑law concerns
Summary
The committee postponed sending a local-law proposal on rights of nature and waterways to a public hearing, with members and county staff expressing legal and implementation concerns and some support for pursuing a nonbinding policy instead
The Energy, Environment and Sustainability Committee voted Sept. 2 to postpone Resolution 178, a proposed local law that would recognize rights of nature for the Esopus Creek, Rondout Creek and Wallkill (Walkill) River and provide county residents “rights to clean water,” after members and county attorneys raised legal and implementation concerns.
Legislator Stewart introduced the resolution and said she had consulted national rights-of-nature groups and legislative staff on precedents. Stewart told the committee the national group found…
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