New York S 2352: Relates to enacting the New York deforestation protection act

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S02352 Summary:

BILL NOS02352 

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SAME ASNo Same As

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SPONSORPARKER

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COSPNSR

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MLTSPNSR

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Add Art 9 Title 23 §§9-2301 - 9-2307, En Con L

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Relates to enacting the "New York deforestation protection act"; provides that the department of environmental conservation shall adopt rules to protect forest resources related to timber, pests and invasive species and water and land management.

Go to top S02352 Actions:

BILL NOS02352 

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01/16/2025REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

01/07/2026REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION

Go to topS02352 Committee&nbspVotes:

Go to topS02352 Floor&nbspVotes:

There are no Assembly votes for this bill in this legislative session.

Go to topS02352 Text:

 STATE OF NEW YORK
 ________________________________________________________________________

 2352

 2025-2026 Regular Sessions

 IN SENATE

 January 16, 2025
 ___________

 Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- 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
 enacting the "New York deforestation protection act"

 The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-
 bly, do enact as follows:

 1 Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 2 the "New York deforestation protection act".
 3 § 2. Article 9 of the environmental conservation law is amended by
 4 adding a new title 23 to read as follows:
 5 TITLE 23
 6 NEW YORK DEFORESTATION PROTECTION ACT
 7 Section 9-2301. Purpose.
 8 9-2303. Powers of the department; timber.
 9 9-2305. Powers of the department; pests and invasive species.
 10 9-2307. Powers of the department; water and land management.
 11 § 9-2301. Purpose.
 12 It is the public policy of the state to control forest pests threaten-
 13 ing forests of the state and to protect the forest resources, promote
 14 good forest management, enhance the growth and maintenance of forests,
 15 promote stability of forest-using industries, aid in fire control by
 16 reducing the menace created by dying and dead trees, conserve forest
 17 cover on watersheds and protect wildlife, recreational values and other
 18 values of the forest.
 19 § 9-2303. Powers of the department; timber.
 20 1. In accordance with the purposes of section 9-0105 of this article
 21 and no later than December first, two thousand twenty-eight, the commis-
 22 sioner shall adopt rules to (a) ensure adequate protection against
 23 deforestation of agricultural, forest, and other undeveloped land; and
 24 (b) establish performance standards for timber harvesting activities.
 25 The rules shall provide the maximum opportunity for flexibility that

 EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD06175-01-5

 S. 2352 2

 1 achieves the goal of protecting the public resources while minimizing
 2 the impact on private resources. In developing forest protection and
 3 regeneration standards, the commissioner shall take into consideration
 4 local and regional differences in forest types, tree species and physio-
 5 graphic conditions.
 6 2. (a) The commissioner shall establish, by rule, performance stand-
 7 ards for clear-cuts, including limitations on size. These standards
 8 shall protect water quality, minimize soil erosion, ensure adequate
 9 regeneration, address adverse impacts on wildlife habitat and provide
 10 for a healthy and sustainable forest. The commissioner shall incorporate
 11 regional variations in developing performance standards that consider
 12 growing conditions, tree species and site quality.
 13 (b) The commissioner shall adopt rules to ensure adequate regeneration
 14 of commercial tree species on a site within five years of completion of
 15 any timber harvest. Rules to implement such requirements shall include
 16 identification of commercial tree species, minimum stocking standards
 17 and methods to mitigate inadequate regeneration. Rules shall protect
 18 against soil erosion and stream sedimentation.
 19 3. (a) The commissioner shall administer and enforce the regulation of
 20 timber harvesting and timber harvesting activities in areas classified,
 21 under such commissioner's rulemaking, as protected areas. Th