Establishes the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership to replace and expand the territory of the former Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership

BILL NUMBER:S2351

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to establishing the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership

Purpose or general idea of the bill

To create a Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership, to replace the Historic Washington on the Hudson Partnership that will address such matters such as collaborative agriculture and open space protection, tourism development and revitalization of main streets, recreational development, and protection of natural and cultural heritage.

Summary of provisions

Amend the environmental conservation law by establishing the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership and repealing article 42 of such law relating to the Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership. The Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership will consist of Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership Reserve that will address such matters such as collaborative agriculture and open space protection, tourism development and revitalization of main streets, recreational development, and protection of natural and cultural heritage. The areas of the Hudson Reserve are within the municipal boundaries in the towns of Saratoga, Stillwater, Northumberland, Easton, Fort Edward, Waterford, Halfmoon, Greenwich, Schaghticoke, Hoosick, Moreau, White Creek, Cambridge, Pittstown; the villages of South Glens Falls; and the city of Mechanicville. The partnership will consist of up to thirty-two voting members that will consist of supervisors and mayors that encompass the Hudson Partnership, as well as six additional appointed members, two appointed by the Governor, two appointed by the temporary president of the senate and two appointed by the speaker of the assembly, the Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson fund in joint custody of the state Comptroller and commissioner of taxation and finance. The partnership can enter into an agreement with Siena College revolutionary war institute to provide diverse, academically based education opportunities based on the historic resources of the Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Reserve for local schools, residents and visitors of the reserve to learn about our nation's birth and democratic foundations.

Justification

The communities along the Hudson River in the counties of Saratoga, Washington and Rensselaer possess unique historic and natural significance as a primary birthplace of America. The Historic Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership is an innovative framework building and expanding on existing public and private initiatives to fully realize the area's historic, natural and scenic, recreational and economic potential for the people of the region and the state as a whole.

Legislative history

2007-08: A.11711 Referred to Environmental Conservation 2009-10: A.4701 Referred to Environmental Conservation

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect upon the receipt by the commissioner of environmental conservation of notice from at least eight municipal voting members of their intention to join the Hudson-Hoosic Rivers Partnership; provided that the commissioner of environmental conservation shall notify the legislative bill drafting commission upon the occurrence of notice from eight of the preceding municipalities in order that the commission may maintain an accurate and timely effective database of the official text of the laws of the state of New York in furtherance of effectuating the provisions of section 44 of the legislative law and section 70-b of the public officers law.