MONTICELLO – The Sullivan County Legislature is going to ask the state to provide no-interest loans to dam owners, who will be required to bring them up to new state standards.

Legislator Alan Sorensen, who proposed the interest-free loan concept, said the county’s lakes and reservoirs are important to the region.

“Our lake communities throughout Sullivan County and in particular are a substantial part of our second home community and a substantial part of our tax base,” he said. “The lakes and the dams also provide flood mitigation in terms of controlling waters and are also an important recreation source for our community. So, we can’t afford to lose these lake communities that are a vital part of our economy.”

The full county legislature will vote to send the proposal to Albany when it meets tomorrow.