Summary
In 2010, the town of Danby, New York created the Danby Community Water Rights and Self-Government Ordinance. The ordinance recognizes “that water is essential for the life, prosperity, sustainability and health of the community and that damage to natural water sources imposes great tangible loss, to the people, natural communities, and ecosystems of Danby, not just for today but for future generations.” The ordinance gives the right of water to all residents, natural communities, and ecosystems and recognizes the rights of natural communities and ecosystems to exist, flourish, and naturally evolve. The status of this ordinance is unknown.