S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8579
I N S E N A T E
March 16, 2022
___________
Introduced by Sen. COMRIE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to direct the department of environmental conservation to conduct
a study to identify potential sites along all highways and thruways in
the state for wildlife crossings and directing the department of
transportation to create a report on the fiscal impact of such study;
and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration there-
of
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. For the purposes of this act:
(a) "Wildlife crossing" means a habitat structure that that joins two
or more areas of wildlife habitat, allowing wildlife to cross human-
caused barriers from one habitat area to another. Such crossings may
include but not be limited to underpass tunnels and overpass bridges.
(b) "Human-caused barrier" means a road, culvert, commercial or resi-
dential development or other human-made structure that has the potential
to affect the natural movement of wildlife across the landscape.
§ 2. The department of environmental conservation is hereby authorized
and directed to conduct a study to identify potential sites along all
highways and thruways in the state for wildlife crossings. The depart-
ment of environmental conservation shall submit such study to the
department of transportation no later than one year after the effective
date of this act. Such study shall examine, at a minimum, the following:
(a) Identification of existing highway or thruway crossings that pose
a risk to successful wildlife migration or that pose a risk to the trav-
eling public because large animals use the crossing;
(b) Identification of other human-caused barriers, especially road
segments that negatively affect wildlife habitat and movement;
(c) Information about the habitat and movement needs of wildlife with
particular attention to large animals or other species that pose a risk
to the traveling public;
(d) Information about the habitat quality needed to support and main-
tain viable populations of wildlife;
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14991-01-2
S. 8579 2
(e) Information about how increased movement of species could benefit
overused and highly impacted habitat areas;
(f) Maps that identify locations of:
(i) existing wildlife crossings; and
(ii) potential sites for additional wildlife crossings based this
study;
(g) Economic benefits anticipated from preserving wildlife movement
patterns, including the potential impact of reduced wildlife-vehicle
collisions;
(h) The feasibility and constructability of wildlife crossing infras-
tructure; and
(i) Any additional information that the department of environmental
conservation deem necessary and appropriate to carry out the intent and
purposes of this act.
§ 3. The department of transportation shall utilize the study submit-
ted by the department of environmental conservation pursuant to section
two of this act to conduct a report to identify the fiscal impact of
implementing such study. Such report shall determine, at minimum, the
following:
(a) The potential costs and economics of wildlife crossing infrastruc-
ture, including benefits or other effects on local communities;
(b) The value of the project to native large animals and other native
species;
(c) Surrounding land-use and ownership and an evaluation of the need
for conservation easements or other real estate instrument necessary to
maintain the viability of a proposed wildlife crossing; and
(d) Any additional information that the department of transportation
deem necessary and appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of
this act.
§ 4. The department of environmental conservation and the department
of transportation may consult with any state or local office, agency, or
department and request information from any such entity that is relevant
and material to the completion of this study and report.
§ 5. No later than 18 months after the effective date of this act, the
department of environmental conservation and the department of transpor-
tation shall deliver the study pursuant to section two of this act and
the report made pursuant to section three of this act to the governor,
the temporary president of the senate, and the speaker of the assembly.
§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be
deemed repealed two years after such effective date.