This bill creates a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin, directly affecting entities managing flood discharges, local communities, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, including modeling, and recommend a regulatory structure for coordinating water releases during high-flow events. Within six months of forming, the group must propose options to the governor and legislature, such as continuing the group, mandating coordination, or establishing a water regulating district. The bill requires the group to consider all available data and make specific recommendations on how to improve communication and water management during flood events.
Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to restrict the taking of fish, shellfish and crustacea in special management areas.
Requires the community gardens task force to conduct an assessment of all community gardens located on publicly owned land in the state to facilitate each garden's designation as a critical environmental area.
Directs the commissioner to publicly publish an annual report on the environmental radiation surveillance program and analyze such report showing trends and cumulative impact, as well as notify other relevant agencies if contamination has exceeded EPA standards for maximum amounts of contamination allowed in drinking water or food.
This bill establishes New York's "Farmland for a New Generation" program to support farmland access and transfer. It creates a statewide resource center (partnering with American Farmland Trust) and regional navigators to help new farmers find affordable land, assist established farmers in succession planning, connect landowners with farmers, and support conservation easements. The program requires state funding for the resource center and financial assistance for regional navigators through organizations like Cornell Cooperative Extension. It directly affects farmers, landowners, and agricultural businesses seeking to start, expand, or transfer farmland operations across New York.
Relates to finding alternatives to the use of pesticides in the monarch preservation plan and allowing agricultural lands that are not in active production be used to enhance the monarch butterfly habitat.
Directs the department of agriculture and markets, in cooperation with the department of environmental conservation, to establish standards for designation of native plants, to develop a list of native plants that indicates and differentiates between native plants that are indigenous to New York state and those that are native plants found elsewhere in the United States that are likely to shift or expand their range into NY, to establish a New York native plant designation, and to offer seals or logos identifying native plants as grown in New York state; defines "native plants".
This bill updates environmental conservation law regarding amphibians and reptiles. It redefines "small game" to exclude most native frogs (except bullfrogs), native salamanders, native lizards, and native snakes (except common snapping turtles). These species are instead added to the definition of "protected wildlife," subjecting them to different conservation measures. The bill also clarifies that only bullfrogs and common snapping turtles remain under specific regulations for taking, with the department determining the methods for bullfrogs.
Directs the commissioner of agriculture and markets, acting by and through the department of economic development, in cooperation with the department of environmental conservation, to establish a New York native plants designation, and offer seals or logos identifying native plants as grown in New York state and certified for their quality, for product labeling, advertising, and displays.
Enacts the monarch preservation plan requiring the department of environmental conservation to take feasible actions to conserve monarch butterflies and the unique habitats they depend upon for successful migration.
