Residents, trustees consider legal and legislative response after DEC’s wetlands shift

Residents and trustees used the public-comment period on May 21 to press the village to consider legal remedies and legislative outreach after the Freshwater Protection Act broadened wetland designations. Multiple speakers urged joining or monitoring a lawsuit that challenges the DEC’s application of the law to navigable inland lakes.

One resident noted a recent commission meeting and pointed to a detailed lawsuit posted on a local Facebook group; a speaker recommended the village consider enjoining that suit to see how the DEC responds. Trustee and residents also noted a bill under committee that would exempt inland lakes meeting a size and navigability threshold from the new wetlands expansion.

Why it matters: residents said the DEC interpretation could substantially change what property owners may do on lakefront parcels — from driveways and bulkheads to routine maintenance. Speakers asked the board to weigh joining litigation, support state legislation to create exemptions for sufficiently large navigable lakes, or otherwise press for clearer guidance from DEC.

Next steps: the mayor said she would follow up with legal counsel to gather correct names/filings and asked Jim Martin and other local advocates to provide documentation; trustees agreed to continue legislative outreach with state representatives.