Section 15-0805. Regulation of reservoir releases

1. The commissioner is authorized and directed to promulgate rules and
  regulations  as expeditiously as possible but in no event later than the
  first day of April, nineteen hundred  seventy-seven  for  releases  from
  Schoharie  reservoir  through the Shandaken tunnel and for releases from
  Neversink, Pepacton and Cannonsville  reservoirs,  nor  later  than  the
  first  day  of October, nineteen hundred seventy-eight for releases from
  the remaining impounding reservoirs, to carry out the policy set out  in
  this  title  consistent  with  the findings and policies set out in this
  article.
    2. Without limiting the foregoing,  such  rules  and  regulations  may
  include  provisions  respecting the volume, timing and rate of change in
  volume  of  releases  of  water,  monitoring,  maintenance  of  records,
  inspection  of  records  and  premises,  reporting and investigations by
  representatives of the department, may vary from  time  to  time,  on  a
  seasonal  basis  and  from  reservoir  to  reservoir  and  shall include
  provisions to  insure  that  an  adequate  supply  of  water  for  power
  production and for any municipality which uses water from such reservoir
  for drinking and other purposes will not be impaired, to provide for the
  public  health  and  safety  in  the event of drought or other emergency
  conditions and shall be promulgated only after  affected  municipalities
  are provided an opportunity for consultation.