§ 20.02 Powers, functions and duties; commissioner. In addition to
the powers, functions and duties provided for in section 3.09, the
commissioner shall:

1. Conduct scientific and environmental studies to determine the
selection of state parks, parkways, historic sites or recreational
facilities that shall be designated park preserves as well as portions
of parks that shall be designated park preservation areas.

2. Maintain the integrity of park land, flora, fauna, and scenic
vistas; restore and maintain historical and archeological sites; and
provide for the management of all unique, rare, threatened or endangered
species of flora and fauna within designated park preserves and park
preservation areas.

3. Provide personnel trained in the natural sciences, including but
not limited to biology, botany, ecology, entomology, geology, and
zoology, to staff such park preserves and park preservation areas and
provide for the management of their educational and scientific
utilization.

4. a. Construct necessary facilities including offices, roads, paths,
environmental centers and parking areas, on no more than fifteen percent
of the land area of each such state park, parkway, historic site or
recreational facility that has been designated a park preserve.

b. Maintain portions of facilities that have been designated park
preservation areas in their undeveloped state, limiting development
within such areas to appropriate passive recreational facilities.

5. Establish environmental education classes to be conducted by
naturalists for the public in cooperation with other governmental
agencies.

6. Develop a written stewardship plan for each designated park
preserve and park preservation area. Such plan shall include a
description of stewardship activities required to monitor, protect and
enhance the fauna, flora, scenic, historical, archeological and other
resources that merited designation of the park preserve or park
preservation area. Such plan shall also provide for passive recreational
uses such as horseback riding, fishing, hiking, nature study, and
photography provided that such uses are compatible with the long-term
protection of the ecological and historical resources that merited
designation of the park preserve or park preservation area.

7. To insure that the types and intensity of use of such park preserve
lands is commensurate with the goal of maintaining their ecological
viability and balance, establish an admission control system by permit
on either a group or individual and non-discriminatory basis pursuant to
rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner.

8. Prepare an environmental impact statement and conduct public
hearings pursuant to article eight of the environmental conservation law
prior to acting on any proposal to remove park preserve or park
preservation area designation from any state park, parkway, historic
site or recreational facility designated hereto.

9. Promulgate rules and regulations to effectively carry out the
purposes of this article.