Environment (Forestry)

signed · New York · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 8047: Relates to the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex in Essex County

This law establishes specific rules for the Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex on forest preserve land in Essex County. It limits the complex to using no more than 322 acres of forest preserve land for skiing trails and related facilities (like parking and maintenance buildings), while requiring the state to acquire at least 2,500 additional acres of forest land for the Adirondack Park Preserve as an offset. All development must follow Adirondack Park planning guidelines, and the law defines "necessary facilities" (e.g., trails, parking) while excluding unrelated structures like hotels or zip lines. The law implements a constitutional amendment to balance the complex’s land use with forest preserve expansion.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires 2,500-acre land acquisition for Adirondack Park Preserve as offset, mandating conservation while limiting complex footprint to 322 acres per Adirondack guidelines.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1089: Prohibits the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on state-owned land and on land contributing surface water to the New York city water supply

Prohibits the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on wildlife management areas, state forests, forest preserves, state parks or any other state-owned land that is open for hunting and on land contributing surface water to the New York city water supply.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits lead ammunition, reducing environmental pollution in water sources and wildlife habitats, directly advancing pollution control and conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1433: Authorizes the county of Cattaraugus to discontinue as parklands and lease certain reforested lands in the town of Perrysburg

This bill (S 1433) allows Cattaraugus County to stop using specific reforested lands (about 64 acres in Perrysburg) as parklands and lease them for up to 30 years. The lease must support oil/gas exploration, watershed protection, timber production, and recreation, with revenues funding county park improvements or new park acquisitions. If the land is no longer used for these purposes, it reverts to the county. The bill also requires that any federal funding conditions for the land be met before leasing, and public access to facilities must remain available.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows oil/gas exploration on reforested lands, prioritizing industry over environmental conservation and protection85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Water Quality

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 4954: Prohibits the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on state-owned land and on land contributing surface water to the New York city water supply

Prohibits the use of lead ammunition in the taking of wildlife on wildlife management areas, state forests, forest preserves, state parks or any other state-owned land that is open for hunting and on land contributing surface water to the New York city water supply.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibits lead ammunition, a known environmental pollutant, to protect wildlife habitats and water sources from contamination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Wildlife

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in committee · New York · Senate May 19, 2026

S 5603: Relates to real property tax exemptions for preservation of forest lands and state assistance to municipalities

Authorizes state assistance to municipalities containing exempt privately owned forest lands; expands categories of lands eligible for certain property tax exemptions as forest lands; authorizes tax exemptions for certain conservation easement tracts; provides for violations of certain provisions relating to filing for tax exemptions of forest lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for forest lands and conservation easements, providing tax relief to landowners and encouraging preservation through fiscal incentives.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax exemptions for forest land preservation, incentivizing conservation of natural resources through municipal assistance and conservation easements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 7550: Relates to real property tax exemptions for preservation of forest lands and state assistance to municipalities

Authorizes state assistance to municipalities containing exempt privately owned forest lands; expands categories of lands eligible for certain property tax exemptions as forest lands; authorizes tax exemptions for certain conservation easement tracts; provides for violations of certain provisions relating to filing for tax exemptions of forest lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for forest lands, providing tax relief to landowners while authorizing state assistance to municipalities. Aligns with tax relief indicators.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax exemptions for forest land preservation and conservation easements, directly supporting environmental conservation through property tax incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Conservation Forestry

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 1614: Establishes the New York state reforest, restore and sustainable agriculture commission

Establishes a temporary state commission to be known as the New York state reforest, restore and sustainable agriculture commission to evaluate and make recommendations concerning the reforestation and restoration of forests and ecological habitats in the state of New York.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates commission for reforestation and habitat restoration, directly advancing environmental conservation and protection efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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signed · New York · Senate Dec 19, 2025

S 1069: Prohibits the lease of state forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas and unique areas for the purpose of gas and oil production

S 1069 prohibits the leasing of state-owned forests, reforestation areas, wildlife management areas, and unique natural areas for gas and oil production. The bill amends environmental conservation law to specifically ban these leases, protecting these lands from energy extraction. It directly affects state land management decisions and energy companies seeking to drill on these protected properties. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly prohibits leasing protected lands for gas/oil production, restricting fossil fuel extraction and protecting natural areas from energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans leasing state forests/wildlife areas for oil/gas, protecting natural habitats from extraction and strengthening conservation95% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Conservation Forestry Public Lands

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8673: Enacts the tropical rainforest economic & environmental sustainability act and establishes the supply chain transparency assistance program

Enacts the tropical rainforest economic & environmental sustainability act requiring that companies contracting with the state do not contribute to tropical forest degradation or deforestation directly or through their supply chains; establishes the supply chain transparency assistance program to assist small and medium-sized businesses and minority and women-owned businesses in achieving compliant supply chains.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates state-contracting companies avoid tropical forest degradation/deforestation in supply chains, directly protecting natural resources and promoting environmental sustainability through transparency requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 5, 2026

S 4408: Relates to agreements and easements related to renewable energy interconnection across reforestation areas

S 4408 allows New York's state environmental department to create leases or easements for renewable energy projects (like solar and wind farms) on state-owned lands designated for reforestation. These agreements must not interfere with the reforestation purposes of the land, as defined by New York's constitution. The bill requires all such agreements to be publicly recorded and posted online. It directly affects the state department, renewable energy developers, and the management of reforestation areas.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly enables renewable energy projects (solar/wind) on state lands via leases/easements, requiring public transparency while safeguarding reforestation. Directly advances renewable energy development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables renewable energy projects on reforestation lands with mandatory safeguards to maintain reforestation purposes, promoting clean energy development within environmental protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar Transmission Conservation Forestry

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