Relates to the exchange of lands in the state forest preserve

BILL NUMBER:S7957A

Title of bill

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 1 of article 14 of the constitution, in relation to the exchange of lands in the state forest preserve

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to authorize an amendment to the constitu- tion regarding the exchange of lands in the state forest preserve located within the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one would authorize the Legislature to approve the tracts to be exchanged prior to the actual transfer of title and the conditions here- in set forth, the state may convey to the Hatchbrook sportsman's Club, approximately one hundred sixty acres of land, adjoining the real prop- erty of the Hatchbrook Sportman's Club, located in the Town of Benson, Hamilton county, in exchange the Hatchbrook sportsman Club shall convey to the state for incorporation into the forest preserve approximately four hundred eighty acres of wild forest land located within the Adiron- dack Park and a conservation easement over the aforementioned one hundred sixty acres 0 land and an additional three hundred twenty acres of Hatchbrook sportsman's Club's lands.

Section two contains the effective date.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

Section one of article 14 of the Constitution.

Justification

The Hatchbrook sportsman's Club purchased lot 167 in 1989, over the years, the various owners of lot 167 utilized a road through lot 120 (owned by NYS and classified as wild forest lands) to access lot 167 for hunting and logging via a TRP (temporary revocable permit) issued by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. In 1998 DEC revoked the TRP, rendering lot 167 inaccessible by motor vehicle.

In exchange for receiving title to Lot 120, Benson Tract the Hatchbrook sportsman's Club will convey 3 lots each containing 160 acres,Lot 122, Lot 165 and Lot 172 Benson Tract, to the State for inclusion into the Adirondack Forest Preserve. The Hatchbrook will also grant the State the right for a public hiking trail from the end of North Road crossing Lot 113 Benson Tract and a portion that of Lot 166 leading up to the summit of Cathead Mountain.

This proposed Constitutional Amendment would be beneficial to the state of New York as the state would receive a 3 for 1 increase in area for addition to the Forest Preserve, reopen public access to the Cathead Mountain fire tower, enable public access to Grant Lake, restrict devel- opment on the remaining private lands and assure public safety radio access on Cathead Mountain.

Prior legislative history

This is new legislation.

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

Unknown.

Effective date

Resolved (if the Assembly concur), That the foregoing be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election of members of the assembly, and, in conformity with section 1 of article 19 of the constitution, be published for 3 months previous to the time of such election.