Wild brook trout are one of the most prized species of fish in the Adirondacks, but they’re also one of the hardest to catch, in part because their populations have plummeted in recent decades.

The parties agreed to settle with days remaining before the case went to a jury trial.

Water intake and pollution permits for the controversial power plant and cryptocurrency mining facility expire at the end of September.

The biggest concern is the pest’s potential economic impact on New York’s $300 million dollar wine and grape industry.

The bill is seen as a mandate that municipal leaders and environmental groups call a solution in search of a problem.

"If we can stop any more of those (invasive) species coming in, for the cost of a few million dollar filtration systems per ship...I think it's very worthwhile."

The bill exempts the Adirondacks and Catskills from the ban.

Projects will include upgrading wastewater and sewer systems, reducing water pollution and protecting drinking water from contaminants.

The DEC maintained its previous position that the facility did not comply with New York’s statutory climate goals.

"Hydroseeding, stream restoration, buffer establishment, septic education. These are all the kinds of programs that are going to help promote water quality."