Senate Bill S342

                                BILL NUMBER:S342

TITLE OF BILL:
An act
to amend the executive law, in relation to the regulation of campgrounds
by the Adirondack park agency

PURPOSE:
To ensure that campgrounds located in the Adirondack Park are treated
the same as those located outside the Park.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1- Amends subdivision 10 of section 802 of the executive law,
as amended by chapter .348 of the laws of 1973 to provide that no
provision of this article shall be deemed to authorize the agency to
create any rule, regulation or land use and development plan relating
to campgrounds which is inconsistent with the Department of Health's
rules and regulations relating to campgrounds.

Section 2- Effective Date

EXISTING LAW:
Subdivision 10 of section 802 of the executive law defines campgrounds.

JUSTIFICATION:
The Adirondack Park Agency was created in 1971 in order to protect the
              

public and private lands in the Adirondack Park. Since then, certain
regulations have been adopted which have been seen as limiting the
ability of local residents and businesses to live and work within the
Park.

The Agency has recently proposed regulations which have the potential
to negatively impact campground owners and campers. There is no
environmental benefit to the APA's regulations.
Campgrounds within the Park must be able to compete with campgrounds
located outside the Park otherwise people will go to campsites
outside the Park or in other states. Seasonal campers spending time
in these parks contribute to the economy of the area through
shopping, dining, attending attractions, etc. As long as the camps
comply with the Department of Health regulations, they should not be
treated any differently just because they are located within the Blue
Line.

This legislation is intended to level the playing field for campground
owners who are located within the imaginary Blue Line.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2009/10: S.320 Finance; A.446 Environmental Conservation
2007/08: S.1124 Finance
2006:    S.5980 Passed Senate; A.9456 Environmental Conservation

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately