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Sponsors
Senator · Senate District 5
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Substituted by A10113
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.1337
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Extends the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage clams
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Steven Englebright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to extending the authority of the department of environmental conservation to manage clams
Purpose of the bill
The purpose of this bill is to extend the authority of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to manage clams.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill would amend Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) § 13-0325(8) to extend, until December 31, 2019, DEC's authority to fix, by regulation, measures for the management of hard clams, soft or steamer clams, and razor clams.
Section 2 of this bill would make it effective immediately.
Justification
DEC's regulatory authority for hard clams, soft or steamer clams, and razor clams is necessary in order to preserve the current regulatory program. Failure to extend the existing regulatory authority by December 31, 2016 will result in the loss of regulatory protection for clams.
Although ECL § 13-0325 includes size limits for hard clams and soft clams, there are no management or conservation measures established for these species, including catch and possession limits, seasonal restrictions, management areas, or other measures that are necessary for the protection of the resource and their associated habitats. For example, there are no size limits or management measures established for the taking of razor clams in the waters of the State.
The hard clam has also experienced a significant decline in population, and resource management is needed to conserve and protect the long-term viability of hard clam populations in the State. DEC needs regulatory authority to assist in the adoption of conservation measures that will help support restoration efforts undertaken by State, town and county agencies, non-governmental organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, and other stakeholder organizations. This legislation would provide DEC with the necessary regulatory authority to assist in the development and facilitation of a long-term restoration strategy for the protection of shellfish species in the marine district.
Prior legislative history
DEC's regulatory authority to manage clams was extended by Chapter 121 of the Laws of 2014.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.