[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Corinth 11-14-2013 by L.L. No.
2-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Town of Corinth Beaver Dam
Liability Local Law." It is adopted pursuant to Municipal Home Rule
Law § 10.
Flooding resulting from the failure of beaver dams or their
impoundment of water can damage Town roads and other property owned
by the Town. The cost of repair of this damage is typically borne
by the Town. State statutes and regulations provide restrictions and
permit requirements for activities related to beaver dams but do not
mandate management. However, several methods are available to regulate
the level and flow from beaver dam impoundments while maintaining
the beavers' habitat. This chapter is intended to ensure that
property owners manage beaver dams located on their property to prevent
damage to Town property from occurring.
Property owners shall monitor and manage beaver dams located
on their property to prevent flooding and other damage to Town property.
All such management activities shall be undertaken after consultation
with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and
in strict compliance with applicable statutes, rules and regulations,
including, but not limited to, permit requirements. Nonlethal management
practices are preferred and encouraged.
A.Â
If the Town becomes aware of a beaver dam which it believes poses
a threat to Town property in violation of this chapter, an appropriate
officer of the Town may, but is not required to, notify the property
owner and order compliance with the provisions of this chapter by
written notice of violation to the property owner. Appropriate officers
of the Town under this section shall include, but not be limited to,
the Town Highway Superintendent, the Town Code Enforcement Officer
or the Town Supervisor.
B.Â
If the violation has not been corrected pursuant to the requirements
set forth in the notice of violation within 30 days of service of
the notice of violation, then the Town may request the owner's
permission for access to the property to take any and all measures
reasonably necessary to abate the violation at the Town's cost.
C.Â
If refused access to the property, the Town may seek a warrant in
a court of competent jurisdiction for authorization to enter upon
the property to determine whether a violation has occurred. Upon determination
that a violation has occurred, the Town may seek a Court order to
take any and all measures reasonably necessary to abate the violation.
The cost of implementing and maintaining such measures shall be the
sole responsibility of the property owner.
D.Â
The Town does not assume any responsibility or duty for maintenance
of beaver dams on private property by virtue of this chapter. The
Town has the discretion to maintain beaver dams which it believes
to be in violation of this chapter if the property owner fails to
do so to prevent damage to Town highways or other Town property, but
no cause of action shall exist against the Town for failure to exercise
that discretion.
If any Town road or other Town property suffers damage as a
result of a beaver dam for which the Town notified the property owner
with a written notice of violation, which violation was not abated
within 20 days of its service, whether by flooding due to dam failure
or impoundment or any other cause, the owner of the property where
the beaver dam is located shall be liable for the cost of repair or
replacement of the damaged property. Service may be either in person,
by United States first-class mail to the address for the property
owner in the Town Assessor's office for delivery of real property
tax bills, fax or e-mail. The Town shall bill the property owner for
such cost, which amount shall be payable within 30 days. If the full
amount is not paid within such time, the charge shall be assessed
against the property on the next Town tax bill. Any costs imposed
hereunder shall constitute a lien upon the real property where the
beaver dam is located until paid in full.
The remedies listed in this chapter are not exclusive of any
other remedies available under any applicable federal, state or local
laws, rules or regulations, and it is within the discretion of the
Town to seek cumulative remedies.
