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Legislative action... for a dry hydrant!
Mar 22, 2011 3:46 pm
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200" caption="A dry hydrant allows for firetrucks to pull water directly from standing ponds, streams and lakes. "]
[/caption]State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) recently introduced special legislation to allow for the installation of an essential fire protection system in Greene County. Senate Bill 3898 would authorize the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to permit a dry hydrant on Colgate Lake in the Town of Jewett, according to a March 22 press release. Local officials have requested permission to construct the dry hydrant and would assume any costs. “There are times when well-meaning state regulations stand in the way of fulfilling local needs, and that is the case in this situation,” said Senator Seward. “Installing a dry hydrant on Colgate Lake will offer significant fire protection for the Town of Jewett and the surrounding communities with minimal environmental impact.” Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R/C/I-Schoharie) is sponsoring the same legislation, Assembly Bill 6351, in the state assembly. “Fire protection needs for rural areas are unique and sometimes the state’s one-size-fits-all concept does not apply,” said Assemblyman Lopez. “This legislation will meet a need recognized by local emergency officials who understand best what is required to help them protect the community they serve.” The Catskill Park state land master plan does not allow the installation of dry hydrants as fire control devices because they are not defined as conforming use structures in the park’s current land use regulations. So what is a dry hydrant? Let the image explain...
[/caption]State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) recently introduced special legislation to allow for the installation of an essential fire protection system in Greene County. Senate Bill 3898 would authorize the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to permit a dry hydrant on Colgate Lake in the Town of Jewett, according to a March 22 press release. Local officials have requested permission to construct the dry hydrant and would assume any costs. “There are times when well-meaning state regulations stand in the way of fulfilling local needs, and that is the case in this situation,” said Senator Seward. “Installing a dry hydrant on Colgate Lake will offer significant fire protection for the Town of Jewett and the surrounding communities with minimal environmental impact.” Assemblyman Pete Lopez (R/C/I-Schoharie) is sponsoring the same legislation, Assembly Bill 6351, in the state assembly. “Fire protection needs for rural areas are unique and sometimes the state’s one-size-fits-all concept does not apply,” said Assemblyman Lopez. “This legislation will meet a need recognized by local emergency officials who understand best what is required to help them protect the community they serve.” The Catskill Park state land master plan does not allow the installation of dry hydrants as fire control devices because they are not defined as conforming use structures in the park’s current land use regulations. So what is a dry hydrant? Let the image explain...