2023 New York Laws › ENV - Environmental Conservation › Article 21 - Pollution Control Compacts › Title 11 - Champlain Basin Compact › 21-1101 - Champlain Basin Compact.

§ 21-1101.  Champlain basin compact.
The  Champlain basin compact as first entered into pursuant to chapter
  905 of the laws of 1966, is hereby continued as follows:
THE CHAMPLAIN BASIN COMPACT
ARTICLE 1--PURPOSE
1.1  The signatory parties agree that there is  need  for  a  regional
  intergovernmental   forum   for   consideration   of  the  problems  and
  coordination of governmental  activities  in  the  great  underdeveloped
  Champlain Basin.
1.2    The signatory parties recognize the water and related resources
  of the Champlain Basin as regional assets vested with local,  state  and
  national  interests  for  which they have joint responsibility, and that
  the conservation, utilization, development, management  and  control  of
  the  water  and  related  resources  of  the  Champlain  Basin  under  a
  comprehensive multi-purpose plan is essential to  provide  the  greatest
  benefits for the public welfare.
1.3    The  signatory parties acknowledge that planning and protection
  are essential in order to  assure  orderly  development,  safeguard  the
  values  of the area, and preserve the magnificent beauties and amenities
  of the great boundary sea of Lake Champlain and its environs,  and  this
  need  is  greatest  in  the  areas  most  subject  to  the  pressures of
  urbanization, the counties riparian on Lake Champlain and in  particular
  the lake and its immediate environs.
1.4  To these ends, the signatory parties find that it is essential to
  establish   a  joint  agency  of  the  signatory  parties,  with  powers
  sufficient and appropriate:
a)  to provide a forum for  consultation  among  and  coordination  of
  governmental agencies in the area.
b)    formulate  a comprehensive plan and program to effectuate proper
  management of the water and related resources of the Champlain Basin.
c)   encourage and implement planning and  protection  of  values  and
  amenities in the counties riparian on Lake Champlain.
d)   consider, formulate and recommend programs and provisions for the
  protection of the  values  and  amenities  of  Lake  Champlain  and  its
  immediate  environs;  and  administer  and  enforce  such  programs when
  authorized by the legislatures of the respective states.
ARTICLE 2--SHORT TITLE, DEFINITIONS
2.1  This act shall be known and may be cited as the  Champlain  Basin
  Compact.
2.2    The term "Champlain Region" shall mean the area included within
  the boundaries of the Champlain Basin.
2.3   The term  "Champlain  Basin"  shall  mean  Lake  Champlain,  its
  tributaries  and  all  land  drained by that Lake and its tributaries to
  whatever extent they lie within the signatory states.
2.4   The term "Champlain Valley"  shall  mean  the  area  in  Vermont
  contained  in the counties of Grand Isle, Franklin, Chittenden, Addison,
  and those portions of Rutland County which are  within  the  basin,  the
  areas  in  New York contained in the counties of Clinton, Essex, Warren,
  and those portions of Washington county which are within the basin.
2.5  The term "Lake Champlain Park" shall  mean  Lake  Champlain,  its
  bays and indentations and shores, and the land and waters in both states
  contained  within  one  quarter  of  a  mile  west  of the outside state
  property line of Interstate 87 from the international boundary to  Glens
  Falls,  on  the east side contained within one quarter of a mile east of
  the outside state property  lines  of  Interstate  89  starting  at  the
  Canadian  border  to  Burlington, Interstate 189 to South Burlington, U.
  S. 7 to Vergennes, 22A to Fairhaven and 4 to  Whitehall,  provided  that
  with  respect to advertising this shall include any structures, displays

  or devices which can be seen from the lake if  they  are  not  otherwise
  included.
2.6    The  term "Lake Champlain" shall include the Lake, its islands,
  the lands under its waters up to  the  international  boundary  and  its
  tributaries up to the boundaries of the Lake Champlain Park.
ARTICLE 3
3.1    The Champlain Basin Compact shall come into effect when enacted
  by the legislatures of Vermont and New York.
The provisions of Title 1 of Article  6  with  respect  to  water  and
  related  resources  management and the operation of the Basin panel with
  respect thereto shall come into effect when enacted by Vermont  and  New
  York  and Title II of Article 6 shall come into effect when such a title
  has been enacted  by  the  two  states  and  the  Congress  has  enacted
  legislation making the United States a signatory party to the provisions
  of Title II of Article 6 and provided for United States participation in
  the Basin Panel.
The  provisions  of  Articles  7  and  8,  the operation of the Valley
  Council with respect thereto, and all provisions of the  compact  except
  Title  II  of  Article  6  as  provided  for shall come into effect when
  enacted by Vermont and New York.
3.2  The province of Quebec and the Government of  Canada  subject  to
  such  arrangements as may be necessary to effect participation under the
  constitutions of both nations may participate in this agreement  or  the
  Basin Panel thereof to that extent and under such terms as may be agreed
  between such government or governments and the signatory parties.
3.3  The Interstate Commission on the Lake Champlain Basin (Incochamp)
  is  hereby  created  by  the  signatory  parties  as  a body politic and
  corporate, with succession for the  duration  of  this  compact,  as  an
  agency  and  instrumentality  of those parties.  The Commission shall be
  composed of six members from each  state  and  when  the  United  States
  participates  in  the Basin Panel as a signatory party, a representative
  of the United States with the following powers and duties.
The states of Vermont  and  New  York,  and  when  the  United  States
  participates as a signatory party, the United States of America shall be
  entitled  to  a  representative  on the Basin Panel to act for it in the
  management of the water and related resources  of  the  Champlain  Basin
  under  the  provisions  of Article 6. In the instance of Vermont and New
  York, the state  member  shall  be  the  Governor  or  a  representative
  designated   by   the  Governor  to  act  for  him.  The  United  States
  representative shall be appointed by the President.
Each state shall name four planning members, and  a  state  legislator
  from  a  constituency  in  the Champlain Basin.   These members shall be
  designated or appointed and serve and be subject to removal as  provided
  in the legislation by which their state enacts this compact.
The  representatives  of  the  signatory  parties  shall  exercise the
  following voting powers in the Commission:
The representative  of  the  United  States  may  participate  in  all
  discussions  but vote only on all matters with respect to the provisions
  of Article 6 and the Basin Panel thereof.
The representatives of each state on the Basin Panel  may  participate
  in all discussions and vote on all matters.
The  planning  members  may participate in all discussions and vote on
  all matters except those matters within the purview of the  Basin  Panel
  as  embodied  in  Article 6 of this compact.  The legislative member may
  participate in all discussions and vote  on  all  matters  except  those
  matters  within  the purview of the Basin Panel as embodied in Article 6
  of this compact and those with respect to management and  administration

  of  regulatory  and proprietary functions contained or established under
  the provisions of Articles 7 and 8.
3.4    a)    The  Commission  as  a whole shall act as a forum for the
  problems of the Champlain region and, where needful, in coordinating the
  activities  within  the  region  of   the   signatory   parties,   their
  subdivisions  and agencies, and in addressing general recommendations to
  any government  or  governments  with    jurisdiction  within  the  area
  encompassed  by  the  signatory  parties other than recommendations with
  respect to subjects on which recommendations are within the  purview  of
  the Basin Panel as embodied in Article 6 of this compact.
b)    The  Basin  Panel  of  the  Commission  shall be composed of the
  representatives of the signatory parties designated to act for  them  in
  the  management  of  the  water  and  related resources of the Champlain
  Basin.  Voting on all matters as included in Article 6 of this agreement
  shall be limited to the members of the Basin Panel.  Each member of  the
  panel shall be entitled to one vote on all matters which may come before
  the panel. No action of the panel shall be taken at any meeting unless a
  majority  of  the membership shall vote in favor thereof. Each member of
  the panel shall appoint an alternative to act in his  place  and  stead,
  who  shall  attend  all  meetings of the Panel with power to vote in the
  absence of the member.
c)  The Valley Council of the Commission shall  act  with  respect  to
  matters  relative  to  the Valley and Lake Champlain Park as included in
  Articles 7 and 8 and shall be composed of the four planning members from
  each state, the representatives of each state on  the  Basin  Panel  and
  subject  to  the  limitations  described  in  3.3 herein the Legislative
  members.  Each member of the Valley Council shall  be  entitled  to  one
  vote.    When  the  United  States  participates in the Basin Panel, the
  representative of the United States shall be entitled to participate  in
  the discussions in the Valley Council and the Commission as a whole.
d)  No action of the Commission as a whole or its Valley Council shall
  be  binding unless taken at a meeting in which a majority of the members
  from each state are present and unless a majority of those qualified  to
  vote on such action from each state concur, provided that any action not
  binding  for  such  reason  may  be  ratified  within thirty days by the
  concurrence of a majority  of  each  state.    In  the  absence  of  any
  representative  his  vote  may  be cast by another representative of his
  government in the Commission, provided that the  representative  casting
  the vote shall have a written proxy in proper form as may be required by
  the Commission.
3.5  The Commission may sue and be sued, and shall have a seal.
3.6    The  Commission shall elect annually, from among its members, a
  chairman, a vice-chairman, and a treasurer. The commission shall appoint
  an executive director who shall also act as secretary and who,  together
  with  the  treasurer,  shall be bonded in such amounts as the Commission
  may  require.    Each  panel  shall  elect  annually  a   chairman   and
  vice-chairman from among its members.
3.7    Irrespective  of  the  civil  service, personnel or other merit
  system laws of any  of  the  signatory  parties,  the  Commission  shall
  appoint  and  remove or discharge such personnel as may be necessary for
  the performance of the  Commission's  functions.    The  Commission  may
  establish  and  maintain  in  conjunction  with  any  one or more of the
  signatory parties  a  suitable  retirement  system  for  its  employees.
  Employees  of  the  Commission  shall  be  eligible  for social security
  coverage in respect to old age and survivors  insurance,  provided  that
  the  Commission  takes  such steps as may be necessary to participate in
  such program as of insurance as a governmental agency or unit.
3.8  The commission may establish and maintain or participate in  such
  additional programs of employee benefits as may be appropriate to afford
  employees  of  the Commission terms and conditions of employment similar
  to those enjoyed by employees of the signatory states generally.
3.9    a)    The  Commission  may  borrow,  accept or contract for the
  services of personnel from any inter-governmental agency  or  government
  with jurisdiction in the region or any subdivision or agency thereof, or
  from any institution, person, firm or corporation.
b)    The  Commission may accept for any of its purposes and functions
  under  this  Compact  any  and  all  donations,  and  grants  of  money,
  equipment,  supplies, materials, and services, conditional or otherwise,
  from any  government,  inter-govermental  agency,  institution,  person,
  firm,  or corporation, and may receive, utilize, and dispose of the same
  provided no non-governmental donation or grant in kind or money shall be
  accepted for administrative or operating expenses.  The Commission shall
  have the power to apply and qualify for and accept federal grants.
3.10  a)  The Commission may establish and maintain such facilities as
  may be necessary for  the  transacting  of  its  business.    For  these
  purposes  the  Commission may acquire, hold and convey real and personal
  property and any interest therein.
b)  The Commission may adopt, amend, and rescind  bylaws,  rules,  and
  regulations for the conduct of its business.
c)    The Commission annually shall make a report to the Governors and
  the President of the United States. The report, which  shall  cover  the
  activities  of  the  Commission  for  the preceding year and embody such
  recommendations as may have been adopted by  the  Commission,  shall  be
  transmitted  to the legislatures of all governments with jurisdiction in
  the region.  The Commission may issue such additional reports as it  may
  deem desirable.
ARTICLE 4--FINANCE
4.1    The Commission shall submit to the executive head or designated
  officer of each signatory party a budget or budgets  for  the  Basin  or
  Valley  including  a  statement of all funds expected to be available to
  the Commission and their sources and, a request for an appropriation  to
  cover  that  party's  share  of  expenditures  for such period as may be
  required by the laws  of  that  jurisdiction  for  presentation  to  the
  legislature thereof.
4. With due regard for such monies and other assistance as may be made
  available  to  it,  the  Commission shall be provided with such funds by
  each of the several parties participating therein to provide  the  means
  of  establishing  and  maintaining facilities, a staff of personnel, and
  such activities as may be necessary to fulfill  the  powers  and  duties
  imposed  upon  and  entrusted  to  the  Commission or the Basin Panel or
  Valley Council thereof.
With due allowance for monies otherwise  available,  and  monies  made
  available by the United States of America, each budget of the Commission
  shall  be  the  responsibility  of  the signatory parties, but as to the
  states apportioned between them as follows:  50% on an equal basis;  30%
  on the basis of population; 20% on the basis of area, such population to
  be  determined in accordance with the last official United States Census
  of Population.
4.3  The Commission shall not pledge the credit of  any  jurisdiction.
  The  Commission may meet any of its obligations in whole or in part with
  funds available to it under 3.8(b) of this compact,  provided  that  the
  Commission  takes  specific action setting aside such funds prior to the
  incurring of any obligation to be met  in  whole  or  in  part  in  such
  manner.
4.4    The Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and
  disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Commission shall be
  subject to the audit and accounting  procedures  established  under  its
  bylaws.  However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the
  Commission  shall  be  audited  by a qualified public accountant and the
  report of the audit shall be included in and become part of  the  annual
  report of the Commission.
4.5    The  accounts of the Commission shall be open at any reasonable
  time for inspection by such agency, representative,  or  representatives
  of the jurisdictions which appropriate funds to the Commission.
ARTICLE 5--CHAMPLAIN REGION--ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT
5.1    The Commission shall act as a general forum for the problems of
  the region, including, but not limited to, those for which the agreement
  establishes  separate  consideration  by  the  Basin  Panel  and  Valley
  Council,  and  to  that  end  shall  encourage and implement channels of
  communication and coordination among those departments and  agencies  of
  the  signatory  parties  and  their  subdivisions  as  have  significant
  interest in the subject matters of the Commission's activities  and  may
  make  such  recommendations  to  those  parties,  and those departments,
  agencies, and subdivisions as may  be  desirable  for  the  welfare  and
  orderly development of the region.
5.2    The Commission shall hold an annual general conference and such
  other conferences or meetings, general or particular,  as  it  may  deem
  advisable to promote the welfare and orderly development of the region.
5.3    The  Commission  shall  sponsor,  organize or encourage and aid
  conferences of the local governments of the Basin or such areas  thereof
  as  may  be  appropriate  to  implement  inter-governmental information,
  co-operation, and coordination on and among all levels of government  in
  the  region.    To  effectuate  better  coordination  in  the region the
  Commission  shall  promote  mutual  aid  and  multilateral  arrangements
  between  the  signatory parties and their agencies and local governments
  and their agencies and encourage interlocal legislation and  agreements.
  It  may  sponsor  or  encourage    the  publications of local government
  bulletins or information to these ends.
5.4  The Commission may:
a)   establish advisory and other  technical  committees  as  occasion
  warrants,  composed  of  private  citizens,  expert  and  lay personnel,
  representatives  of  industry,  labor,  commerce,   agriculture,   civic
  associations   and   officials,  and  personnel  of  any  government  or
  inter-governmental organization having jurisdiction in the region.
b)  cooperate with all appropriate governmental and  private  agencies
  in  the  encouragement  of  the orderly development of the region and of
  tourist traffic and facilities.
c)  organize, sponsor and encourage historical  observances  or  other
  festivals and exhibitions to promote the welfare and orderly development
  of the region.
d)   plan and recommend governmental services and programs which would
  be of assistance to the orderly growth and prosperity of the region, and
  to the well-being of its population.
e)  study and recommend means for the most  effective  utilization  of
  such  federal  assistance as may be available on a regional basis or may
  have an interstate or regional impact.
f)  assist the party states in cooperative planning undertakings  with
  the  federal  government  or  any  agencies thereof within the Champlain
  region.
5.5  The Commission shall compile and keep  current  an  inventory  of
  scenic,  ecological  and  historic  sites  and  its recommendations with
  respect thereto.
ARTICLE 6--LAKE CHAMPLAIN BASIN--WATERSHED MANAGEMENT
Title I
6.1    It  is  the purpose of this Compact to provide in the Champlain
  Basin improved procedures for the coordination of the policies, programs
  and activities of the several  jurisdictions  and  private  persons  and
  entities  in  the  field  of  water  and  related  resources and for the
  planning and management of the development, use and conservation of such
  water and related resources.
6.2   The  Commission  utilizing  appropriate  state  and  other  duly
  authorized public agencies may through its Basin Panel:
a)    Conduct  and  sponsor  research  on  water  resources  and their
  planning,  use,  conservation,  management,  development,  control,  and
  protection,  and  the  capacity,  adaptability, and best utility of each
  facility thereof, and collect, compile, correlate, analyze, report,  and
  interpret  data  on  water  resources  and  uses in the basin, including
  without limitation thereto the relation of  water  to  other  resources,
  industrial  water  technology,  ground  water movement, relation between
  water price and water demand and other  economic  factors,  and  general
  hydrological conditions:
b)    Collect,  compile,  coordinate,  and interpret systematic stream
  stage and ground water data, and publicize such information when and  as
  needed  for  water  uses,  flood  warning, quality maintenance, or other
  purposes:
c)   Conduct ground  and  surface  water  investigations,  tests,  and
  operations,  and  compile  data  relating  thereto as may be required to
  formulate and administer the comprehensive plan:
d)    Prepare,  publish,  and  disseminate  information  and   reports
  concerning  the  water problems of the basin and for the presentation of
  the needs and resources of the basin and policies of the  commission  to
  executive  and  legislative  branches  of  the signatory parties to this
  article.
6.3  The Commission through its Basin Panel shall develop  and  adopt,
  and  may  from  time to time review and revise, a comprehensive plan for
  the immediate and long range development and use of the water  resources
  of  the  basin.   The plan shall include all public and private projects
  and facilities which are required, in the judgment  of  the  Commission,
  for   the  optimum  planning,  development,  conservation,  utilization,
  management, and control of the water resources  of  the  basin  to  meet
  present and future needs.  The commission may adopt a comprehensive plan
  or  any  revision  thereof  in  such  part  or  parts  as  it  may  deem
  appropriate, provided that before the adoption of the plan or  any  part
  or  revision  thereof  the Commission shall consult with water users and
  interested public bodies and public utilities  and  shall  consider  and
  give  due  regard  to  the  findings  and recommendations of the various
  agencies of the signatory  parties,  their  political  subdivisions  and
  interested  groups.  The  Commission  shall conduct public hearings with
  respect to the comprehensive plan prior to the adoption of the  plan  or
  any part of the revision thereof and shall make public any dissenting or
  minority opinions.
6.4    The  Commission  shall  promote and aid the coordination of the
  activities and  programs  of  Federal,  state,  municipal,  and  private
  agencies concerned with water resources administration in the basin.
6.5   In the event the legislatures of the two states and the Congress
  of the United States do not within a year from the date of the enactment
  of this Compact enact a Title II  of  this  article  providing  for  the
  implementation  of  the comprehensive plan in terms of a water resources
  program and management of water and related resources in  the  Champlain

  Basin,  the  Basin  Panel  shall  prepare  and  recommend  provisions to
  effectuate these purposes for enactment as such title by the two  states
  and  the  United  States.    Nothing  in this article, however, shall be
  construed  to  prohibit action by the Basin Panel to this end during the
  two year period immediately following the enactment of this  compact  or
  thereafter.
ARTICLE 7--CHAMPLAIN VALLEY--PLANNING FOR DEVELOPMENT
7.1    It  is  the purpose of this Compact to encourage and coordinate
  local, regional, interstate and international planning and zoning in the
  Champlain Valley in order to safeguard  its  beauty  and  amenities  and
  assure  its  orderly development as population pressures inevitably grow
  in this core of the Champlain Basin.
7.2  The Commission, acting through its Valley Council  may  recommend
  standards  as  guides  for planning, zoning, and other action which will
  promote balanced development.
7.3  The Commission, acting through its  Valley  Council  may  act  as
  coordinator  or as an agency for the inter-governmental coordination and
  effectuation of local, regional,  state,  interstate  and  international
  planning.
7.4    a)    The  Commission,  acting through its Valley Council after
  consultation with appropriate agencies  of  the  signatory  states,  may
  recommend  a  comprehensive  master plan for their public works and like
  expenditures in the  Valley  or  a  portion  thereof,  which,  in  those
  particulars  and  for  such period as is approved by the legislatures of
  the signatory states, shall be observed by them with the same force  and
  effect as if incorporated in this agreement.
The  Valley  Council  may,  from time to time, recommend plans for the
  Valley, supplementary to or amendatory of any previous  plan,  which  in
  the same fashion shall be observed by the parties so agreeing, with same
  force and effect as if incorporated in this agreement.
b)    The Valley Council in consultation with the planning agencies of
  the states and their political subdivisions is authorized to  adopt  and
  from  time  to  time,  amend  or  extend,  a  comprehensive plan for the
  development and protection of the Champlain Valley to serve as a general
  framework or guide of development within which each part of  the  Valley
  may  be  more  precisely planned and which shall include among things, a
  land use plan and which shall serve to reconcile and integrate  planning
  proposals throughout the valley.
ARTICLE 8--LAKE CHAMPLAIN PARK
8.1    The signatory parties find that the protection of the amenities
  and resources of Lake Champlain and its adjacent area is central to  the
  economic health and orderly development of the entire valley and region.
  Accordingly,  it  is  the purpose of this Compact to provide through the
  Commission acting through its Valley Panel a mechanism for joint  action
  of  the  signatory  parties  in  safeguarding the values, resources, and
  amenities of Lake Champlain and its adjacent area in accordance with the
  comprehensive plan.
8.2  The Lake Champlain Park as described in  2.5  of  this  agreement
  shall  constitute  a  zone  in  which the Valley Council may perform the
  functions described in this article.
8.3  The Commission through its Valley Panel may draft  and  recommend
  for  adoption ordinances and regulations which would assist, develop and
  protect the park area and the character of its communities.
Local governments may consider parts of their area  which  are  within
  the  park  area under the provisions of this article separately from the
  municipality as a whole and pursuant to the laws of the state  governing
  the  adoption  of  these  regulations  generally  may  enact regulations
  limited to the designated area.  In making recommendations  to  a  local

  government  which  is  partly  in and partly out of the park, the Valley
  Council may make recommendations for the entire municipality.
8.4    In  order  to  preserve  and enhance the natural beauty and the
  amenities  of  the  Lake  Champlain  Park;  protect  and  conserve   the
  investment  of  the  signatory  parties  in  forest land, islands, state
  campsites and other interest in real property in the parks; preserve and
  regulate the park for public uses for  the  resort  of  the  public  for
  recreation, transportation, pleasure, air, light, and enjoyment; keep it
  open,  safe,  clean  and  in  good  order for the welfare of society and
  prevent unrestricted commercial development, the Commission through  its
  Valley  Council shall recommend within three years after the adoption of
  the Compact, or report its reasons for not  so  doing,  legislation  for
  these purposes which shall come into effect inside the boundaries of the
  parks  area  within  the  jurisdiction  of a state upon enactment by the
  legislature concurred in by the legislature of the other state:
a)  Protection of the Lake and its Environs
Regulation of: advertising, objectionable use of property, filling  or
  use  for  private  purposes of state lands under water, conduct of boats
  and vessels with respect to safety and sanitation, maintenance  of  lake
  levels,  sewage  disposal  into  the  lake, dumping and littering on its
  waters or frozen surface. The encouragement of restrictive covenants.
b)  Coordination of Law Enforcement
Establishment  of  common  high  and  low  water   marks   and   state
  jurisdiction  with regard thereto, aid to local law enforcement over the
  use of the lake, provisions for the enforcement  of  laws  by  joint  or
  coordinated  state or local action, deputation of law enforcement powers
  as among jurisdictions, provisions for the appearance of the  Commission
  in the courts of either state with power to bring actions or proceedings
  in  law  or equity to enforce provisions of law and requirements as they
  apply to the area set forth in paragraph 2.5 of this Compact.
A  negative  report   shall   not   preclude   a   later   affirmative
  recommendation  or  recommendations  on  these  subjects  by  the Valley
  Council.  The listing of matters in (a) and (b) of this paragraph  shall
  not be interpreted to preclude recommendations on matters not so listed.
  Nothing  in  this  article  shall  be  construed to prohibit action by a
  signatory party, or the signatory parties by means of legislation  other
  than legislation concurred in by both states.
8.5    Nothing  in  this Compact or in any regulation issued under the
  provisions  of  this  article  or  concurrent  legislation  enacted   in
  accordance therewith shall be interpreted to supersede actions of a park
  district  created  under  the  laws  of  either  state  lying  wholly or
  partially  in  the  Lake  Champlain  Park  unless  the  Valley   Council
  specifically states such effect is necessary for the adequate protection
  of the amenities and values of the Lake Champlain Park.
Nor  shall  this  compact  be  interpreted  to prohibit more stringent
  action by a signatory party.
ARTICLE 9
Except as may be stipulated in Title II of Article 6 nothing  in  this
  Compact   shall   be  construed  to  impair,  or  otherwise  affect  the
  jurisdiction  of  any  interstate  agency  in  which  any  party   state
  participates  not to abridge, impair, or otherwise affect the provisions
  of any compact to which any one or more of the party  states  may  be  a
  party,  nor  to  supersede, diminish, or otherwise affect any obligation
  assumed under any such compact; nor shall anything in  this  compact  be
  construed to discourage additional interstate compacts among some or all
  of  the  party states or the establishment of intergovernmental agencies
  in sub-areas of the region or to limit the jurisdiction or activities of

  any participating government, agency, or officer thereof, or any private
  person or agency.
ARTICLE 10
The  provisions  of  this  Compact  shall  be severable and if phrase,
  clause, sentence  or  provision  of  this  Compact  is  declared  to  be
  unconstitutional  or  the  applicability  thereof  to any state, agency,
  person or circumstance is held invalid, the  constitutionality  of  this
  Compact,   and  the  applicability  thereof  to  any  state,  person  or
  circumstance shall not be affected  thereby.    It  is  the  legislative
  intent  that  the provisions of this Compact be reasonably and liberally
  construed.
ARTICLE 11
This Compact shall  continue  in  force  and  remain  binding  on  the
  signatory  parties unless renounced by legislative action of a signatory
  party  at  least  four  years  in  advance  of  the  effective  date  of
  withdrawal.    Such  withdrawal  shall  not  affect the operation of the
  provisions of this Compact with respect to the continued  operations  of
  the  Basin  Panel and Article 6 under separate withdrawal provisions for
  that article.