Conservation Commission 35 



These statutes have given rise to a condition of conflicting juris- 

 diction which has in many cases nullified remedies and made im- 

 possible the enforcement of protective measures. Town control 

 of oyster properties is as archaic as was the old system of county 

 game protection. It is doubtful if any one could be found who 

 would to-day advocate a return to the old system under which 

 boards of supervisors were given the power to enact and enforce 

 game laws in their respective counties. 



Practically every Atlantic and Gulf State has abolished local 

 regulation and has concentrated control of its oyster lands in the 

 hands of the State. We, therefore, earnestly recommend that this 

 matter should be given careful attention to the end that the vari- 

 ous special acts ceding to the towns and counties of Long Island, 

 the control of oyster properties within their limits may be re- 

 pealed, and the regulation of the oyster industry restored to the 

 State. 



DIVISION OF INLAND WATERS 



The Legislature at its last regular session amended the Conser- 

 vation Law by adding thereto a new article, to be known as 

 article 9-a, to provide for union water districts and conservation 

 waterworks. This act (chapter 233, Laws of 1913) provides 

 that any number of municipalities within contiguous counties 

 may join in the formation of a union water district, and that 

 three or more such municipalities may meet and confer for that 

 purpose. It embodies a complete code of procedure for the forma- 

 tion of such union w T ater districts. The importance — present 

 and future alike — of such legislative machinery is apparent. 

 Manifestly, municipalities contiguous and closely interrelated may 

 by uniting derive their water supply from some common source, 

 much more cheaply and satisfactorily than would be possible 

 were they to act separately or discordantly. 



Union Water District Projects 



Meantime progress has been made in the surveys and prelim- 

 inary plans for the Orleans project, which contemplates the sup- 

 plying of water to sixty municipalities in the counties of Erie, 



