Senate Bill S495

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S495

SPONSOR: STEC
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the classification of
historical lands and buildings located within the forest preserve

 
PURPOSE:

This bill relates to the classification of historical lands and build-
ings located within the forest preserve.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new subdivision 3 of section 816 of the executive law
to include any lands or buildings located within the forest preserve
that are listed or eligible to be listed on the national register of
historic places shall be considered for historical classification by the
Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and consult with the department of environ-
mental conservation in developing unit management plans (UMPs)

              

Section 2: This section establishes an effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

The Forest Preserve holds over 2.6 million acres of state land within
the Adirondack Park full of lands rich in recreational opportunity and
ecological significance. Unit Management Plans (UMPs) assess the
natural, physical, social and recreational resources of the landscape
and provide a solid foundation for the development of long-term land
management goals, objectives and actions. It is vital to the economy and
tourism of upstate New York to include historical lands or buildings
within this preserve to develop UMPs. Several structures on this land
have been saved by the state with a historical land classification such
as St. Regis Mountain fire tower and Great Camp Santanoni. Without a
historical land classification, many of these lands and buildings will
be deemed as non-conforming structures and subject to zoning require-
ments, therefore altering these historic buildings.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2022/2021: S5344 referred to Environmental Conservation; A519 referred
to Environmental Conservation

2020/2019: S2934 referred to Finance; A1638 referred to Environmental
Conservation

2018: S8341 committed to Rules; A10689 referred to Environmental Conser-
vation

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.