S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
S. 315--A A. 26--A
2015-2016 Regular Sessions
S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y
(PREFILED)
January 7, 2015
___________
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered print-
ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental
Conservation -- recommitted to the Committee on Environmental Conser-
vation in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee
discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
to said committee
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred
to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- recommitted to the
Committee on Environmental Conservation in accordance with Assembly
Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to local
tidal wetlands protection
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Article 25 of the environmental conservation law is amended
by adding a new title 5 to read as follows:
TITLE 5
LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION
SECTION 25-0501. LOCAL TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION PROCEDURES.
25-0503. TRANSFER OF FUNCTION TO COUNTY; SUPERSESSION BY DEPART-
MENT.
25-0505. EXEMPTION FROM LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION.
25-0507. RESERVATION OF LOCAL JURISDICTION.
25-0509. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.
S 25-0501. LOCAL TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION PROCEDURES.
1. ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER FIRST, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN, EACH LOCAL
GOVERNMENT MAY ADOPT, AMEND, AND, UPON THE FILING OF THE APPROPRIATE
TIDAL WETLANDS MAP, IMPLEMENT A TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION LAW OR ORDI-
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00807-02-6
S. 315--A 2 A. 26--A
NANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE TO BE APPLICABLE TO ALL TIDAL
WETLANDS WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION. NO TIDAL WETLANDS
PROTECTION LAW OR ORDINANCE ADOPTED BY A COUNTY PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
SHALL BE APPLICABLE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE
WHICH HAS ADOPTED AND IS IMPLEMENTING A LOCAL TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION
LAW OR ORDINANCE CONSISTENT WITH THIS ARTICLE.
2. SUCH TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION LAW OR ORDINANCE MAY BE IN SUCH FORM
AND WITH SUCH PROCEDURES PRESCRIBED AS MAY BE DETERMINED BY THE LOCAL
GOVERNMENT ADOPTING THE SAME, OR IT MAY SET FORTH THE PROCEDURES AND
CONCEPTS CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO LOCAL
TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION LAW OR ORDINANCE ENACTED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVI-
SION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE LESS PROTECTIVE OF TIDAL WETLANDS OR
EFFECTIVENESS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL REVIEW, THAN THE PROCEDURES
SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE, NOR SHALL SUCH LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE AFFECT
THE ACTIVITIES EXEMPTED FROM PERMIT BY SECTION 25-0401 OF THIS ARTICLE.
3. ADOPTION BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, OF A
LOCAL TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION LAW OR ORDINANCE BY REFERENCE TO THE
PROCEDURES AND CONCEPTS SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE SUFFICIENT IF
REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE PROCEDURES AND CONCEPTS OF THIS ARTICLE WITH
EXCEPTIONS, ADDITIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS THERETO NOTED; AND THE
ADOPTION, ONCE EFFECTED, SHALL INCLUDE SUBSEQUENT STATUTORY AMENDMENTS
TO THIS ARTICLE AS AFORESAID; SUBJECT, AGAIN, TO EXCEPTION, ADDITION, OR
MODIFICATION BY SUCH MUNICIPALITY, WITHOUT TIME LIMITATION. AT ANY TIME
AFTER A LOCAL ADOPTION OF THE PROCEDURES CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE, A
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION MAY RESCIND ITS ADOPTION THERE-
OF AND SIMULTANEOUSLY ADOPT A LOCAL TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION PROCEDURE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBDIVISIONS 1 AND 2 OF THIS SECTION.
4. IF A CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE FAILS TO ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT A TIDAL
WETLANDS PROTECTION LAW OR ORDINANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE BY
THE DATE THE APPLICABLE TIDAL WETLANDS MAP IS FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT,
IT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TRANSFERRED THE FUNCTION TO THE COUNTY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 25-0503 OF THIS TITLE. IF THE COUNTY FAILS WITH-
IN NINETY DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF FILING OF THE APPLICABLE TIDAL WETLANDS
MAP OR BY SEPTEMBER FIRST, TWO THOUSAND SIXTEEN, WHICHEVER IS LATER, TO
ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT A TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION LAW OR ORDINANCE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE, IT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TRANSFERRED THE
FUNCTION TO THE DEPARTMENT. WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE ADOPTION OF A
TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION LAW OR ORDINANCE PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, THE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHALL NOTIFY THE DEPARTMENT THEREOF, UNDER SUCH TERMS
AND CONDITIONS AS THE DEPARTMENT MAY PRESCRIBE, TOGETHER WITH ITS TECH-
NICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY TO ADMINISTER THE ACT. FAILURE OF A
LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO GIVE SUCH NOTICE SHALL CONSTITUTE A TRANSFER OF
FUNCTION PURSUANT TO THIS SUBDIVISION AND SECTION 25-0503 OF THIS TITLE.
5. A LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR THE DEPARTMENT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT, IN ITS
REGULATION OF TIDAL WETLANDS WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION, TO CHARGE SUCH
FEES AND EXPENSES TO AN APPLICANT FOR OFFICIAL ACTION AS SHALL ENABLE IT
TO RECOVER THE COSTS INCURRED BY REASON OF SUCH APPLICATION.
6. ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENT WHICH DEFAULTS OR TRANSFERS ITS AUTHORITY
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION 4 OF THIS SECTION OR SECTION 25-0503 OF THIS
TITLE, MAY RECOVER SUCH AUTHORITY AT ANY TIME BY ADOPTING A LOCAL TIDAL
WETLAND PROTECTION LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE CONSISTENT WITH THIS ARTICLE
AND NOTIFYING THE COUNTY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ADOPTION. SUCH NOTICE
SHALL BE GIVEN BY CERTIFIED MAIL WITHIN TEN DAYS OF THE ADOPTION THERE-
OF. SUCH LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE IN LESS THAN
SIXTY NOR MORE THAN ONE HUNDRED DAYS FROM THE ADOPTION THEREOF.
S. 315--A 3 A. 26--A
7. THE TECHNICAL SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO
MUNICIPALITIES, ON A FEE BASIS, IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROCEDURE
SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION.
S 25-0503. TRANSFER OF FUNCTION TO COUNTY; SUPERSESSION BY DEPARTMENT.
1. IN THE EVENT THAT A TOWN, VILLAGE, CITY OR COUNTY SHALL CERTIFY IN
WRITING, AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, THAT IT DOES NOT POSSESS THE TECH-
NICAL CAPACITY OR THE PROCEDURES TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THE REQUIRE-
MENTS OF THIS TITLE, SUCH LOCAL FUNCTION SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE
COUNTY OR THE DEPARTMENT, AS THE CASE MAY BE. THE CERTIFICATION OF THE
TOWN, VILLAGE OR CITY SHALL BE BY CERTIFIED MAIL TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER OF THE COUNTY, OR, IN THE CASE OF A COUNTY, TO THE COMMISSIONER.
2. IN THE EVENT THAT THE COMMISSIONER SHALL FIND THAT A LOCAL GOVERN-
MENT DOES NOT POSSESS THE TECHNICAL CAPACITY OR THE IMPLEMENTED PROCE-
DURES TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS TITLE, AND THAT
HIS OR HER FAILURE TO ACT WILL ENTAIL A DEFAULT, OR THE POTENTIAL OF A
DEFAULT, IN TIDAL WETLANDS REGULATION, THE COMMISSIONER MAY SUPERSEDE
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ORDER, ALTERNATIVELY, EITHER THAT THE LOCAL
FUNCTION BE TRANSFERRED TO THE COUNTY, OR THAT THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF
UNDERTAKE THE LOCAL FUNCTION, ALL TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT
THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE. THE SUPERSESSION OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
SHALL BE BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSIONER SENT, BY CERTIFIED MAIL, TO THE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT INVOLVED.
3. IN THE EVENT OF TRANSFER OR SUPERSESSION UNDER SUBDIVISION 1 OR 2
OF THIS SECTION, SUBSEQUENT PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
FURTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE.
S 25-0505. EXEMPTION FROM LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION.
THE COMMISSIONER, BY RULE, MAY EXEMPT FROM LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION UNDER
THIS TITLE THOSE TIDAL WETLANDS WHICH, BY REASON OF THEIR SIZE OR
SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF UNIQUE ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE OR BY REASON OF
COMMON CHARACTERISTICS, ARE APPROPRIATELY TO BE ADMINISTERED PURSUANT TO
THIS ARTICLE BY THE DEPARTMENT ALONE. SUCH RULE, BASED UPON FINDINGS OF
FACT MADE AFTER PUBLIC HEARING, MAY RELATE TO CLASSES OF WETLANDS BASED
ON SIZE OR PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS, OR TO PARTICULAR WETLANDS THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF WHICH MAKE THEM SUBJECT TO THE EXERCISE OF THE
COMMISSIONER'S DISCRETION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE COMMISSIONER
SHALL MAKE AN ORDER TO SUCH EFFECT IN EACH SUCH INSTANCE AND SEND A
CERTIFIED COPY THEREOF TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
AFFECTED THEREBY WITHIN TEN DAYS OF HIS OR HER SIGNING THE SAME; SUCH
ORDER SHALL NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL FORTY DAYS AFTER SUCH SIGNING.
S 25-0507. RESERVATION OF LOCAL JURISDICTION.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE, JURISDICTION OVER ALL AREAS WHICH
WOULD QUALIFY AS TIDAL WETLANDS IS RESERVED TO THE CITY, TOWN OR VILLAGE
IN WHICH THEY ARE WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY LOCATED, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
THIS ARTICLE WITH RESPECT THERETO IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SUCH CITY,
TOWN OR VILLAGE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 25-0501 OF THIS TITLE AND
TITLE 23 OF ARTICLE 71 OF THIS CHAPTER, EXCEPT THAT A CITY, TOWN OR
VILLAGE IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS POWERS UNDER THIS SECTION, SHALL NOT BE
SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SUBDIVISION 4 OF SECTION 25-0501, SUBDIVI-
SIONS 2 AND 3 OF SECTION 25-0503, OR SECTION 25-0505 OF THIS TITLE, BUT
SHALL BE SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW SECTION 25-0404 OF THIS ARTICLE.
S 25-0509. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAWS.
NO PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE DEEMED TO REMOVE FROM ANY LOCAL
GOVERNMENT ANY AUTHORITY PERTAINING TO THE REGULATION OF TIDAL WETLANDS,
WHETHER SUCH WETLANDS ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OR A
COUNTY PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION 4 OF SECTION 25-0501 OF THIS TITLE, UNDER
THE COUNTY, GENERAL CITY, GENERAL MUNICIPAL, MUNICIPAL HOME RULE, TOWN,
S. 315--A 4 A. 26--A
VILLAGE, OR ANY OTHER LAW, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUCH REGULATION
BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT SHALL BE AT LEAST AS PROTECTIVE OF TIDAL WETLANDS
AS THE REGULATIONS IN EFFECT PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CHAPTER
OR ANY RULE OR REGULATION PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
ARTICLE OR PURSUANT TO A LOCAL TIDAL WETLANDS PROTECTION LAW OR ORDI-
NANCE ADOPTED BY A COUNTY PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 25-0501
OF THIS TITLE.
S 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediate-
ly, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such
effective date.