Environment (Parks & Recreation)

Bill A 4626 authorizes Cattaraugus County to stop using specific reforested lands (totaling ~64 acres) in Perrysburg as public parks and lease them for up to 30 years. The lease allows oil/gas exploration, timber production, and recreational use, with all lease revenue required to fund county park improvements or new park acquisitions. Public access to existing recreational facilities on the land must continue under a fair reservation system.

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.