Fredonia, NY — Mike Bobseine, the candidate representing the Democratic Party, Working Families Party, and independent Restore Freedom Party for the New York State Assembly District 150, announced his intention to propose amendments to the State’s Freshwater Wetlands Act. Bobseine’s changes aim to balance property owners’ rights with environmental conservation.

“I recently attended the Chautauqua Lake Symposium hosted by Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. The nearly day-long event was chock full of presentations by researchers, elected officials or their representatives, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, our Region 9 Director of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Julie Barrett O’Neil, and Region 9 DEC Assistant Director, Chad Staniszewski,” Bobseine said.

At the symposium, concerns about the NYSDEC’s new Freshwater Wetlands Act, set to be implemented in stages beginning next year, were a primary focus. The Legislature amended the original Freshwater Wetlands Act in 2022, reducing the size of regulated wetlands from 12.5 to 7.4 acres and creating “informational” wetlands maps to guide regulation and permitting.

“Property owners around Chautauqua Lake are legitimately concerned that the DEC’s coming regulations and new permitting requirements will prevent full use and enjoyment of Chautauqua Lake and negatively impact their property and value,” Bobseine stated. “I will be proposing an amendment to the Freshwater Wetlands Act in January that clearly states the activities that are exempt from the wetlands permitting requirements.”

Bobseine’s proposal highlights his commitment to ensuring both environmental sustainability and property owners’ rights. As a candidate for the New York State Assembly District 150 seat, he aims to represent and protect his constituents’ interests in the face of evolving environmental regulations.