What's happening
This bill prohibits leasing state forests, wildlife management areas, and unique areas for gas production in New York.
Why it matters
Protects key state lands from industrial development. By prohibiting gas production leases on state forests, wildlife management areas, and unique areas, the bill aims to preserve these ecologically sensitive and recreationally valuable public lands from potential environmental harm.
Prioritizes conservation and public use. The legislation reinforces New York’s commitment to conservation, ensuring that these lands remain available for wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and ecosystem services rather than being opened up for resource extraction.
Addresses long-term environmental risks. Barring gas production in these areas helps prevent risks such as habitat fragmentation, water contamination, and air pollution, offering stronger safeguards for biodiversity and local communities who rely on these lands.
Signals state policy direction. The bill sends a clear message about New York’s energy and land management priorities—favoring environmental protection and sustainable land use over expanding fossil fuel development on public lands.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Gas Drilling on State Land
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
- Referred to energy and telecommunications
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3440
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2017
Introduced by Sens. SERRANO, HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the lease of state forests, wildlife management areas and unique areas for gas production
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 23-1101 of the environmental conservation law, as added by chapter 722 of the laws of 1977, is amended to read as follows:
a. The exploration, development and production of gas in state-owned lands, except state park lands, state forests, wildlife management areas, unique areas, and the lands under the waters of Lake Ontario or along its shoreline; and
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08496-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to prohibiting the lease of state forests, wildlife management areas and unique areas for gas production
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill will prohibit the lease of state forests, wildlife management areas and unique areas for the purpose of gas production.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill would prohibit the exploration, development and production of gas in state forest, wildlife management areas, unique areas.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
This bill amends Section 1 paragraph a of subdivision 1 of section 23-1101 of the environmental conservation law, as added by chapter 722 of the laws of 1977.
Justification
Currently the exploration, development and production of gas in state-owned lands is prohibited in state parks and the lands under the waters of Lake Ontario or along its shorelines. This bill would add state forests, wildlife management areas and unique areas to the publicly owned lands where the exploration, development and production of gas is prohibited.
Prior legislative history
2015: S1218-REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
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.