N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 71-1129

§ 71-1129. Emergencies excepted.\n The civil liabilities imposed upon persons violating the provisions of\narticle 15, except section 15-1713, shall not be construed to include\nany violation which was caused by an act of God, war, strike, riot or\nother catastrophe as to which negligence or willful misconduct on the\npart of such person was not the proximate cause.\n