What's happening
The bill requires lands or buildings in the forest preserve that are historic or eligible for historic status to be considered for historical classification.
Why it matters
Expands the role of historic preservation within the forest preserve. Requiring lands or buildings already listed or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places to be considered for historical classification means their cultural and historical value must be formally recognized in state planning.
Affects land management and development decisions. Historical classification can influence what activities or changes (like renovations, demolitions, or new development) are allowed on these lands, potentially prioritizing preservation over other uses.
Brings in more stakeholders and oversight. The process now mandates consultation between the state agency and the Department of Environmental Conservation, increasing scrutiny and collaboration in how forest preserve lands are managed.
Could impact tourism and local economies. Recognizing and preserving historic sites may encourage heritage tourism and educational opportunities, which could benefit nearby communities economically while shaping how these lands are used and promoted.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Protect Historic Forest Sites
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
546
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sen. STEC -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to the classification of historical lands and buildings located within the forest preserve
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 816 of the executive law is renumbered subdivision 4 and a new subdivision 3 is added to read as follows:
3. Any lands or buildings located within the forest preserve that are listed in the national register of historic places or eligible for inclusion in the national register of historic places shall be considered for an historical classification by the agency, in consultation with the department of environmental conservation, in developing unit management plans.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02349-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to the classification of historical lands and buildings located within the forest preserve
Purpose
This bill relates to the classification of historical lands and build- ings located within the forest preserve.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new subdivision 3 of section 816 of the executive law to include any lands or buildings located within the forest preserve that are listed or eligible to be listed on the national register of historic places shall be considered for historical classification by the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and consult with the department of environ- mental conservation in developing unit management plans (UMPs)
Section 2: This section establishes an effective date.
Justification
The Forest Preserve holds over 2.6 million acres of state land within the Adirondack Park full of lands rich in recreational opportunity and ecological significance. Unit Management Plans (UMPs) assess the natural, physical, social and recreational resources of the landscape and provide a solid foundation for the development of long-term land management goals, objectives and actions. It is vital to the economy and tourism of upstate New York to include historical lands or buildings within this preserve to develop UMPs. Several structures on this land have been saved by the state with a historical land classification such as St. Regis Mountain fire tower and Great Camp Santanoni. Without a historical land classification, many of these lands and buildings will be deemed as non-conforming structures and subject to zoning require- ments, therefore altering these historic buildings.
Legislative history
2023-2024: S495 advanced to third reading; A2411 passed Assembly
2022/2021: S5344 referred to Environmental Conservation; A519 referred to Environmental Conservation
2020/2019: S2934 referred to Finance; A1638 referred to Environmental Conservation
2018: S8341 committed to Rules; A10689 referred to Environmental Conser- vation
Fiscal implications
None to the State.
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.