Bill Text: NY A01582 | 2011-2012 | General Assembly | Amended


Bill Title: Enacts the "Peconic Bay estuary protection act" to implement a comprehensive conservation and management plan prepared pursuant to the national estuary program; establishes the Peconic Region Maritime Reserve Council.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-03 - print number 1582a [A01582 Detail]

Download: New_York-2011-A01582-Amended.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
           S. 1601--A                                            A. 1582--A
                              2011-2012 Regular Sessions
                             S E N A T E - A S S E M B L Y
                                   January 10, 2011
                                      ___________
       IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered print-
         ed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental
         Conservation  -- recommitted to the Committee on Environmental Conser-
         vation  in  accordance  with  Senate  Rule  6,  sec.  8  --  committee
         discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted
         to said committee
       IN  ASSEMBLY  --  Introduced  by  M.  of A. ENGLEBRIGHT -- read once and
         referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation -- recommitted
         to the Committee on  Environmental  Conservation  in  accordance  with
         Assembly Rule 3, sec. 2 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered
         reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
       AN  ACT  to  amend  the  environmental  conservation law, in relation to
         enacting the "Peconic Bay estuary protection act"
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1.  The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a
    2  new article 58 to read as follows:
    3                                 ARTICLE 58
    4                     PECONIC BAY ESTUARY PROTECTION ACT
    5  SECTION 58-0101. SHORT TITLE.
    6          58-0103. LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION.
    7          58-0105. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.
    8          58-0107. DEFINITIONS.
    9          58-0109. PECONIC REGION MARITIME RESERVE COUNCIL.
   10          58-0111. DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.
   11          58-0113. PECONIC BAY REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
   12          58-0115. PECONIC BAY ESTUARY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS.
   13          58-0117. STATE  ASSISTANCE  PAYMENTS  FOR  PECONIC  BAY  ESTUARY
   14                    IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS.
   15          58-0119. STATE ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND STANDARDS.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD00248-02-2
       S. 1601--A                          2                         A. 1582--A
    1          58-0121. CONTRACTS FOR STATE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS FOR PECONIC BAY
    2                    ESTUARY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS.
    3          58-0123. STATE PROJECTS.
    4          58-0125. SEVERABILITY.
    5  S 58-0101. SHORT TITLE.
    6    THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE "PECONIC BAY ESTU-
    7  ARY PROTECTION ACT".
    8  S 58-0103. LEGISLATIVE DECLARATION.
    9    THE  LEGISLATURE  HEREBY  DECLARES  IT TO BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO
   10  PROTECT AND MANAGE THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY, IN THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK, BY
   11  ESTABLISHING A PECONIC BAY ESTUARY RESERVE. IT IS FURTHER IN THE  PUBLIC
   12  INTEREST  TO ESTABLISH A COUNCIL MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES OF STATE AND
   13  LOCAL  GOVERNMENTS  AND  STAKEHOLDERS  TO  IMPLEMENT  THE  COMPREHENSIVE
   14  CONSERVATION  AND  MANAGEMENT  PLAN  CREATED FOR THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY
   15  SYSTEM PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM.
   16  S 58-0105. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.
   17    THE PECONIC BAY SYSTEM IS ONE OF  TWENTY-EIGHT  ESTUARIES  ACROSS  THE
   18  COUNTRY  DESIGNATED  AS PART OF THE NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM PURSUANT TO
   19  THE FEDERAL CLEAN WATER ACT. THE PURPOSE OF THE NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM
   20  IS TO DEVELOP WATERSHED-BASED COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR ESTUAR-
   21  IES OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE THREATENED BY  POLLUTION,  DEVELOPMENT,  OR
   22  MISUSE.
   23    IN  NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY-ONE, THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY WAS NOMINATED
   24  AS AN ESTUARY  OF  NATIONAL  SIGNIFICANCE  UNDER  THE  NATIONAL  ESTUARY
   25  PROGRAM. THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY WAS FORMALLY ACCEPTED INTO THE NATIONAL
   26  ESTUARY  PROGRAM IN NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY-TWO.  SINCE NINETEEN HUNDRED
   27  NINETY-TWO, THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE COUNTY OF SUFFOLK,  THE  ENVIRON-
   28  MENTAL  PROTECTION AGENCY TOGETHER WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, CITIZENS,
   29  BUSINESSES, INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS,  AND  OTHER  STAKEHOLDERS
   30  WITHIN  THE  PECONIC  BAY  REGION, COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS THE PECONIC BAY
   31  ESTUARY PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO CREATE  A
   32  COMPREHENSIVE  CONSERVATION  AND  MANAGEMENT PLAN TO PROTECT THE PECONIC
   33  BAY ESTUARY.
   34    THE ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY  IS  WELL  ESTAB-
   35  LISHED.  MORE  THAN ELEVEN HUNDRED ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IDENTIFIED IN THE
   36  PECONIC BAY ESTUARY AS "ESTUARINE DEPENDENT" WITH GROSS REVENUES EXCEED-
   37  ING FOUR HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS PER YEAR.    THESE  STAKEHOLDERS,
   38  ESTABLISHMENTS  AND  INDUSTRIES  ARE  REPRESENTED  BY THE ASSOCIATION OF
   39  MARINE INDUSTRIES, THE EAST END MARINE FARMERS ASSOCIATION,  THE  BAYMEN
   40  ASSOCIATION  OF THE FIVE EAST END TOWNS, THE LONG ISLAND FARM BUREAU AND
   41  THE NEW YORK SEA FOOD COUNCIL, AMONG OTHERS.  THE FUTURE OF THIS ECONOM-
   42  IC BASE CLEARLY DEPENDS ON MAINTAINING THE QUALITY OF THE ESTUARY.
   43    BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
   44  PLAN FOR THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY, AN  ACTION  PLAN  WAS  ESTABLISHED  TO
   45  PROVIDE  FOR EARLY IMPLEMENTATION OF INITIATIVES TO BENEFIT THE ESTUARY.
   46  SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS HAVE BEEN DEDICATED  TO
   47  FIFTY-ONE  DEMONSTRATION  AND  IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS, INCLUDING SEWAGE
   48  PLANT UPGRADES, AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, STORM WATER MITI-
   49  GATION, BAY SCALLOP  SEEDING,  WETLAND  AND  EELGRASS  RESTORATION,  AND
   50  DEMONSTRATIONS  OF  NUMEROUS  BEST  MANAGEMENT  PRACTICES,  INCLUDING NO
   51  DISCHARGE ZONES, INVENTORYING OF HISTORIC DEPTHS, WATER  ACCESS  POINTS,
   52  HARDENED  STRUCTURES CRITICAL NATURAL RESOURCE AREAS AND OTHER INVENTORY
   53  RELATED ITEMS.  FURTHER UNDER THE STATE CLEAN AIR/CLEAN WATER BOND  ACT,
   54  A  MINIMUM  OF THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN ALLOCATED FOR THE PECONIC
   55  BAY  AND  SOUTH  SHORE   ESTUARIES.   FINALLY,   IN   NINETEEN   HUNDRED
   56  NINETY-EIGHT,  THE  LEGISLATURE  ADOPTED CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FOURTEEN OF
       S. 1601--A                          3                         A. 1582--A
    1  THE LAWS OF NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY-EIGHT ESTABLISHING THE  PECONIC  BAY
    2  COMMUNITY  PRESERVATION FUND WHICH ESTABLISHED A TWO PERCENT REAL ESTATE
    3  TRANSFER TAX TO FUND  LAND  PRESERVATION  EFFORTS  IN  THE  PECONIC  BAY
    4  REGION.
    5    THE  DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN HAS NOW BEEN
    6  COMPLETED.  IT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE TO PROVIDE FOR THE  IMPLE-
    7  MENTATION  OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND
    8  MANAGEMENT PLAN.
    9  S 58-0107. DEFINITIONS.
   10    AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL MEAN AND INCLUDE:
   11    1. "COST" MEANS THE COST OF ACQUIRING A PARCEL OF LAND IDENTIFIED IN A
   12  PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO  SECTION  58-0113  OF  THIS
   13  ARTICLE,  THE  COST OF IMPLEMENTING A PROJECT PURSUANT TO THE COMPREHEN-
   14  SIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN CREATED FOR THE PECONIC BAY SYSTEM
   15  PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM AS WELL AS CONSULTANT AND LEGAL
   16  SERVICES, AND OTHER DIRECT EXPENSES  INCIDENT  TO  SUCH  ACQUISITION  OR
   17  IMPLEMENTATION  LESS  ANY  FEDERAL ASSISTANCE RECEIVED OR TO BE RECEIVED
   18  AND ANY OTHER ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER PARTIES.
   19    2. "COUNCIL" SHALL MEAN THE PECONIC REGION  MARITIME  RESERVE  COUNCIL
   20  CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 58-0109 OF THIS ARTICLE.
   21    3.  "FEDERAL  ASSISTANCE"  MEANS  FUNDS AVAILABLE, OTHER THAN BY LOAN,
   22  FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, EITHER DIRECTLY OR  THROUGH  ALLOCATION  BY
   23  THE  STATE  FOR CONSTRUCTION OR PROGRAM PURPOSES PURSUANT TO ANY FEDERAL
   24  LAW OR PROGRAM.
   25    4. "GOVERNING BODY" MEANS:
   26    A. IN THE CASE OF SUFFOLK COUNTY, THE SUFFOLK COUNTY LEGISLATURE;
   27    B. IN THE CASE OF A VILLAGE WITHIN SUFFOLK COUNTY, THE LOCAL  LEGISLA-
   28  TIVE  BODY  THEREOF,  AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE MUNICIPAL HOME RULE
   29  LAW;
   30    C. IN THE CASE OF A TOWN WITHIN SUFFOLK COUNTY, THE TOWN BOARD;
   31    D. IN THE CASE OF A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, THE  BOARD  OF  DIREC-
   32  TORS, MEMBERS OR TRUSTEES THEREOF;
   33    E.  IN  THE  CASE OF A PUBLIC AUTHORITY, THE GOVERNING BOARD OF DIREC-
   34  TORS, MEMBERS OR TRUSTEES THEREOF;
   35    F. IN THE CASE OF A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
   36  THEREOF OR SUCH OTHER BODY DESIGNATED IN  THE  CERTIFICATE  OF  INCORPO-
   37  RATION TO MANAGE THE CORPORATION; AND
   38    G. IN THE CASE OF AN INDIAN TRIBE OR NATION, ANY GOVERNING BODY RECOG-
   39  NIZED BY THE UNITED STATES OR THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
   40    5.  "LONG  ISLAND  PINE  BARRENS MARITIME RESERVE" SHALL MEAN THE LONG
   41  ISLAND PINE BARRENS MARITIME RESERVE  ESTABLISHED  PURSUANT  TO  ARTICLE
   42  FIFTY-SEVEN OF THIS CHAPTER.
   43    6.  "MUNICIPALITY"  MEANS  SUFFOLK  COUNTY,  A LOCAL PUBLIC AUTHORITY,
   44  PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION, A TOWN OR VILLAGE WITHIN SUFFOLK  COUNTY  OR
   45  ANY  COMBINATION  THEREOF,  STATE AGENCIES, STATE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND
   46  STATE PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS.
   47    7. "NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION" MEANS A CORPORATION FORMED PURSUANT TO
   48  THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION LAW AND QUALIFIED FOR  TAX-EXEMPT  STATUS
   49  UNDER THE FEDERAL INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.
   50    8. "PECONIC BAY ESTUARY" OR "PECONIC BAY SYSTEM" SHALL MEAN THE SERIES
   51  OF  INTERCONNECTED  BODIES  OR  SURFACE  WATERS, INCLUDING FLANDERS BAY,
   52  GREAT PECONIC BAY, LITTLE PECONIC BAY, NOYACK BAY, SHELTER ISLAND SOUND,
   53  SOUTHOLD BAY, NORTHWEST HARBOR, ORIENT HARBOR, GARDINERS  BAY,  NAPEAGUE
   54  BAY,  FORT  POND  BAY,  THE WESTERN PORTION OF BLOCK ISLAND SOUND, OTHER
   55  SEMI-ENCLOSED BAYS AND HARBORS CONTIGUOUS THERETO, AND ALL OF THE  TIDAL
       S. 1601--A                          4                         A. 1582--A
    1  CREEKS  AND  FRESHWATER STREAMS THAT DISCHARGE INTO THESE INTERCONNECTED
    2  BASINS.
    3    9.  "PLAN"  SHALL  MEAN  THE COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT
    4  PLAN CREATED FOR THE PECONIC BAY SYSTEM PURSUANT TO THE NATIONAL ESTUARY
    5  PROGRAM.
    6    10. "TRADITIONAL USES" MEANS COMMERCIAL  FISHING  AND  SHELL  FISHING,
    7  SHELLFISH  FARMING, RECREATIONAL BOATING, RECREATIONAL FISHING AND SHELL
    8  FISHING.
    9    11. "WORK PLAN" SHALL MEAN AN ADVISORY RECOMMENDATION TO A STATE AGEN-
   10  CY OR LOCAL MUNICIPALITY.
   11  S 58-0109. PECONIC REGION MARITIME RESERVE COUNCIL.
   12    1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED A PECONIC REGION  MARITIME  COUNCIL  TO
   13  ASSIST  FEDERAL,  STATE  AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS COORDINATE ALL EFFORTS TO
   14  IMPLEMENT THE PLAN.
   15    2. A. THE COUNCIL SHALL BE COMPOSED OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS:
   16    (I) THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR;
   17    (II) THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE;
   18    (III) THREE MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY;
   19    (IV) FOUR MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OF THE  COUNTY  OF
   20  SUFFOLK,  WITH  THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF SUCH
   21  COUNTY;
   22    (V) THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, OR THEIR DESIGNEES, OF THE  TOWN  OF
   23  EAST  HAMPTON,  THE  TOWN  OF RIVERHEAD, THE TOWN OF SHELTER ISLAND, THE
   24  TOWN OF SOUTHAMPTON, THE TOWN OF SOUTHOLD, THE VILLAGE OF DERING HARBOR,
   25  THE VILLAGE OF EAST HAMPTON, THE VILLAGE OF GREENPORT,  THE  VILLAGE  OF
   26  NORTH  HAVEN,  THE  VILLAGE  OF  QUOGUE,  THE VILLAGE OF SAG HARBOR, THE
   27  VILLAGE OF SOUTHAMPTON, THE VILLAGE OF WESTHAMPTON BEACH AND THE VILLAGE
   28  OF WEST HAMPTON DUNES;
   29    (VI) A DESIGNEE OF THE EMPIRE STATE MARINE TRADES ASSOCIATION;
   30    (VII) A DESIGNEE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MARINE INDUSTRIES;
   31    (VIII) A DESIGNEE OF THE BAYMEN  ASSOCIATION  OF  THE  FIVE  EAST  END
   32  TOWNS;
   33    (IX) A DESIGNEE OF THE EAST END MARINE FARMERS ASSOCIATION;
   34    (X) A DESIGNEE OF THE NEW YORK SEA FOOD COUNCIL;
   35    (XI) A DESIGNEE OF THE LONG ISLAND FARM BUREAU;
   36    (XII) A DESIGNEE OF THE NEW YORK STATE SEA GRANT;
   37    (XIII)  A  DESIGNEE OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT STONY BROOK
   38  MARINE SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTER;
   39    (XIV) A DESIGNEE OF THE  LONG  ISLAND  UNIVERSITY-SOUTHAMPTON  COLLEGE
   40  MARITIME SCIENCES PROGRAM; AND
   41    (XV)  TWO  DESIGNEES OF THE CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION, ONE OF WHOM
   42  SHALL BE A MARINE PROGRAM EXTENSION EDUCATOR AND THE OTHER WHO SHALL  BE
   43  AN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION EDUCATOR.
   44    B.   THE COMMISSIONER, OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, THE SECRETARY OF STATE,
   45  OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE, FOR  PURPOSES  OF  MATTERS  RELATED  TO  COASTAL
   46  RESOURCES  AND  A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
   47  AGENCY SHALL SERVE AS EX OFFICIO MEMBERS.
   48    C.  ALL MEMBERS, EXCEPT EX OFFICIO MEMBERS, SHALL BE RESIDENTS OF  THE
   49  COUNTY  OF  SUFFOLK  AND  SHALL  DEMONSTRATE EXPERTISE IN THE FUNCTIONAL
   50  AREAS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE COUNCIL. ALL INITIAL APPOINTMENTS SHALL  BE
   51  MADE WITHIN SIXTY DAYS FROM THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   52    3.  THE  MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL SERVE FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS OR
   53  THEREAFTER UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED.  THE COUNCIL SHALL  SELECT  A
   54  CHAIRPERSON, A VICE-CHAIRPERSON AND SUCH OTHER OFFICERS AS IT MAY DETER-
   55  MINE ARE NECESSARY FOR THE CONDUCT OF ITS DUTIES.
   56    4. THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHALL SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION.
       S. 1601--A                          5                         A. 1582--A
    1    5.  THE  COUNCIL  SHALL  CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: A POLICY
    2  COMMITTEE, A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, A  TECHNICAL  ADVISORY  COMMITTEE,  A
    3  CITIZEN  ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND A LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE. THE COMPO-
    4  SITION OF SUCH COMMITTEES SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNCIL.
    5  S 58-0111. DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL.
    6    1. THE COUNCIL SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS AND DUTIES:
    7    A.  TO  FACILITATE  COMMUNICATION  AND  COORDINATION OF THE PUBLIC AND
    8  PRIVATE SECTORS WORKING TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN;
    9    B. TO MONITOR AND EVALUATE PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN,  INCLUD-
   10  ING AN ANNUAL STATE OF THE BAYS REPORT;
   11    C. TO ASSIST IN SECURING FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN;
   12    D. TO REASSESS AND UPDATE THE PLAN EVERY TWO YEARS;
   13    E. TO DEVELOP AN ANNUAL FINANCIAL PLAN TO ENSURE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION;
   14    F.  TO  NEGOTIATE  COMMITMENTS  BETWEEN  STAKEHOLDERS TO IMPLEMENT THE
   15  PLAN;
   16    G. TO ENCOURAGE  CONSISTENCY  IN  REGULATORY  PROGRAMS  AND  STANDARDS
   17  CONSISTENT WITH THE PLAN;
   18    H. TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE
   19  SECTOR;
   20    I. TO MAKE RULES FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION OF ITS AFFAIRS;
   21    J. TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS;
   22    K. TO CONDUCT SCIENTIFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES;
   23    L.  TO CONTRACT WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED FOR OR OTHERWISE AVAILABLE
   24  FOR PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OR ADVICE; AND
   25    M. TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS, CORPORATIONS,  ASSOCIATIONS,  AND  PUBLIC
   26  ENTITIES TO PROTECT, AND PRESERVE THE UNIQUE RESOURCES OF THE RESERVE.
   27    2.  IN  ADDITION  TO  THE  DUTIES SET FORTH IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
   28  SECTION, THE COUNCIL SHALL ALSO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING  RESPONSIBILITIES
   29  BY DECEMBER THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN:
   30    A.  IDENTIFY  ADDITIONAL REVENUE SOURCES TO FUND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF
   31  THE PLAN; AND
   32    B. ESTABLISH A WORK PLAN TO  ADDRESS  THE  FOLLOWING  ESTUARY  RELATED
   33  ISSUES:
   34    (I) AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT PLANS;
   35    (II) PESTICIDE REDUCTION;
   36    (III)  PRIORITIES  FOR  ADDITIONAL  SCIENTIFIC  AND  APPLIED RESEARCH,
   37  INCLUDING THE TARGETING OF THE RESTORATION OF  BIVALVE  SHELLFISH  POPU-
   38  LATIONS;
   39    (IV) ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, INCLUDING RADIOLOGICAL MONITORING;
   40    (V) CONTINUED PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH;
   41    (VI) ESTABLISHMENT OF A NITROGEN CONTROL PROGRAM TO IMPLEMENT NITROGEN
   42  REDUCTION POLICIES;
   43    (VII) USE OF INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PLAN GOALS;
   44  AND
   45    (VIII) OTHER MATTERS AS MAY BE DEEMED NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE BY THE
   46  COUNCIL.
   47  S 58-0113. PECONIC BAY REGIONAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
   48    1.  THERE  IS  HEREBY  ESTABLISHED A PECONIC BAY REGIONAL CONSERVATION
   49  PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WITHIN  THE  DEPARTMENT  TO  ADMINISTER  PARTNERSHIP
   50  AGREEMENTS,  BY AND BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND (I) SUFFOLK COUNTY AND/OR
   51  (II) LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITHIN THE  LONG  ISLAND  PINE  BARRENS  MARITIME
   52  RESERVE.  SUCH  PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED
   53  TO, THE FOLLOWING:
   54    A. A LIST OF PARCELS AND AREAS THAT NEED TO BE PROTECTED;
       S. 1601--A                          6                         A. 1582--A
    1    B. SUCH LIST OF PARCELS AND AREAS SHALL BE SUBJECT TO A PUBLIC HEARING
    2  BY THE COUNTY OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT SEEKING TO INCLUDE  SAID  PARCELS  AND
    3  AREAS WITHIN THE PARTNERSHIP;
    4    C.  A LIST OF PRIORITIES BASED ON ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY AND EXTENT
    5  OF DEVELOPMENT PRESSURE;
    6    D. A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED  USE  AND  MANAGEMENT  PLAN  FOR  THE
    7  PARCELS AND AREAS TO BE PROTECTED; AND
    8    E.  A  LIST  OF  OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THE PARTNERSHIP
    9  AGREEMENT.
   10    2. APPROVAL OF SUCH PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BY  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL
   11  AUTHORIZE  THE  APPLICANT TO RECEIVE FROM THE STATE THE STATE'S SHARE OF
   12  FUNDING AS STATED IN SUCH PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OF
   13  THE PARCELS IDENTIFIED IN SAID PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT.
   14    3.  EACH  STATE  AGENCY  DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNOR, INCLUDING BUT NOT
   15  LIMITED TO THE DEPARTMENT, THE OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND  HISTORIC
   16  PRESERVATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,
   17  AND  THE ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES CORPORATION, WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY
   18  DAYS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, SHALL  PREPARE  A  TWO  YEAR
   19  ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY COMPREHEN-
   20  SIVE  CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN. A COPY OF THE ACTION PLANS SHALL
   21  BE SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE. SUCH ACTION PLAN SHALL
   22  BE UPDATED ANNUALLY.
   23  S 58-0115. PECONIC BAY ESTUARY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS.
   24    AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, "PECONIC BAY ESTUARY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS"
   25  SHALL MEAN THOSE PROJECTS  RECOMMENDED  AS  PART  OF  THE  COMPREHENSIVE
   26  CONSERVATION  AND  MANAGEMENT  PLAN  OR  ACTION PLAN FOR THE PECONIC BAY
   27  ESTUARY, WHICH ENHANCE THE  PRODUCTIVITY  OF  THE  ESTUARY  PURSUANT  TO
   28  HISTORIC,  CURRENT  COMMERCIAL  AND  TRADITIONAL USES, INCLUDING BUT NOT
   29  LIMITED TO RESEARCH RELATED TO THE RESTORATION OF SHELLFISH  POPULATIONS
   30  IN THE ESTUARY AND WHICH SERVE A PUBLIC PURPOSE DESIGNATED TO IMPROVE OR
   31  MAINTAIN  SURFACE WATER QUALITY, UNDERTAKEN BY THE STATE, A MUNICIPALITY
   32  OR A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION WHICH DEMONSTRATES TO THE COMMISSIONER'S
   33  SATISFACTION THAT IT IS FINANCIALLY AND OTHERWISE CAPABLE OF  COMPLETING
   34  SUCH PROJECT.
   35  S 58-0117. STATE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS FOR PECONIC BAY ESTUARY IMPLEMENTA-
   36               TION PROJECTS.
   37    1.  THE  COMMISSIONER IS AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS,
   38  WITHIN AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED, STATE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TO A MUNICIPALITY
   39  OR A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION TOWARD THE COST OF ANY PECONIC BAY ESTU-
   40  ARY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
   41    2. THE COMMISSIONER AND A MUNICIPALITY OR  NOT-FOR-PROFIT  CORPORATION
   42  MAY  ENTER  INTO A CONTRACT FOR THE UNDERTAKING OF A PECONIC BAY ESTUARY
   43  IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT.   SUCH  PROJECT  SHALL  BE  RECOMMENDED  TO  THE
   44  COMMISSIONER BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT
   45  CORPORATION,  AND  WHEN  APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER, UNDERTAKEN BY THE
   46  MUNICIPALITY OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE  AND
   47  ANY OTHER APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF LAW.
   48    3.  STATE  ASSISTANCE  PAYMENTS  SHALL NOT EXCEED FIFTY PERCENT OF THE
   49  PROJECT COST OR TWO MILLION DOLLARS, WHICHEVER IS LESS. SUCH  COSTS  ARE
   50  SUBJECT  TO FINAL COMPUTATION AND DETERMINATION BY THE COMMISSIONER UPON
   51  COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, AND SHALL NOT  EXCEED  THE  MAXIMUM  ELIGIBLE
   52  COST SET FORTH IN THE CONTRACT.
   53    4.  PRIOR  TO  PROCESSING  APPLICATIONS  FOR STATE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS
   54  TOWARD THE COST OF PECONIC  BAY  ESTUARY  IMPLEMENTATION  PROJECTS,  THE
   55  COMMISSIONER  SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH SHALL INCLUDE
   56  CRITERIA  FOR  DETERMINING  ELIGIBLE  EXPENDITURES  AND  PROCEDURES  FOR
       S. 1601--A                          7                         A. 1582--A
    1  GOVERNING  THE  COMMITMENT  AND  DISBURSEMENT  OF  FUNDS APPROPRIATED IN
    2  ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE. THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  ALSO  PROMULGATE
    3  RULES AND REGULATIONS WHICH SHALL INCLUDE APPLICATION PROCEDURES, REVIEW
    4  PROCESSES,  AND PROJECT APPROVAL GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA CONSISTENT WITH
    5  SECTION 58-0123 OF THIS ARTICLE.
    6  S 58-0119. STATE ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND STANDARDS.
    7    IN THE CASE OF PECONIC BAY ESTUARY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS, A  MUNICI-
    8  PALITY OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, UPON THE APPROVAL OF ITS GOVERNING
    9  BODY,  MAY  SUBMIT  AN APPLICATION TO THE COMMISSIONER, IN SUCH FORM AND
   10  CONTAINING SUCH INFORMATION AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE,  FOR  STATE
   11  ASSISTANCE  PAYMENTS  TOWARD  THE  COST OF A PROJECT WHICH IS WITHIN THE
   12  STATE AND WHICH IS ELIGIBLE FOR STATE ASSISTANCE PURSUANT TO THIS  ARTI-
   13  CLE.  THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  REVIEW  SUCH PROJECT APPLICATION AND MAY
   14  APPROVE, DISAPPROVE OR RECOMMEND MODIFICATIONS THERETO  CONSISTENT  WITH
   15  APPLICABLE LAW, CRITERIA, STANDARDS OR RULES AND REGULATIONS RELATIVE TO
   16  SUCH  PROJECTS.  SUCH  CRITERIA  AND STANDARDS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE
   17  LIMITED TO INCLUSION ON AN ACTION PLAN OR COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND
   18  MANAGEMENT PLAN PREPARED UNDER THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY PROGRAM.
   19    UPON APPROVAL OF A PROJECT APPLICATION, A MUNICIPALITY OR NOT-FOR-PRO-
   20  FIT CORPORATION SHALL ENTER INTO A CONTRACT, AS FURTHER PROVIDED  WITHIN
   21  THIS ARTICLE, WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR STATE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TOWARD
   22  THE COST OF SUCH PROJECT TO BE RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE.
   23  S 58-0121. CONTRACTS FOR STATE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS FOR PECONIC BAY ESTU-
   24               ARY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECTS.
   25    1.  THE  COMMISSIONER  MAY,  IN  THE  NAME  OF  THE  STATE, ENTER INTO
   26  CONTRACTS WITH MUNICIPALITIES OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATIONS, TO PROVIDE
   27  STATE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS TOWARD THE COST OF PECONIC BAY ESTUARY  IMPLE-
   28  MENTATION PROJECTS WHICH SHALL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS:
   29    A.  AN  ESTIMATE  OF  THE  COSTS  OF  THE PROJECT AS DETERMINED BY THE
   30  COMMISSIONER;
   31    B. AN AGREEMENT BY THE COMMISSIONER TO MAKE STATE ASSISTANCE  PAYMENTS
   32  TOWARD  THE  COST OF THE PROJECT BY PERIODICALLY REIMBURSING THE MUNICI-
   33  PALITY OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION  DURING  THE  PROGRESS  OF  PROJECT
   34  DEVELOPMENT OR FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AS MAY BE AGREED UPON
   35  BY THE PARTIES, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED THE AMOUNTS ESTABLISHED ELSE-
   36  WHERE IN THIS ARTICLE; AND
   37    C. AN AGREEMENT BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION:
   38    (I) TO PROCEED EXPEDITIOUSLY WITH AND COMPLETE THE PROJECT AS APPROVED
   39  BY THE COMMISSIONER;
   40    (II)  TO UNDERTAKE AND MAINTAIN THE PECONIC BAY ESTUARY IMPLEMENTATION
   41  PROJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW AND RULES AND REGULATIONS;
   42    (III) TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY'S OR NOT-FOR-PRO-
   43  FIT CORPORATION'S SHARE OF THE COST OF THE PROJECT;
   44    (IV) TO ASSUME THE FULL COST OF ANY ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS  OR  CONTINUED
   45  OPERATION OF THE PROJECT;
   46    (V)  TO REPAY WITHIN ONE YEAR OF NOTIFICATION BY THE COMMISSIONER, ANY
   47  STATE ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS MADE TOWARD THE COST  OF  THE  PROJECT  OR  AN
   48  EQUITABLE PORTION OF SUCH MONIES DECLARED APPROPRIATE BY THE COMMISSION-
   49  ER,  IF THE MUNICIPALITY OR NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION FAILS TO COMPLETE
   50  THE PROJECT AS APPROVED. NO REPAYMENT, HOWEVER, SHALL BE REQUIRED  WHERE
   51  THE  COMMISSIONER DETERMINES THAT SUCH FAILURE, DISPOSITION OR CHANGE OF
   52  USE WAS IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY;
   53    (VI) TO APPLY FOR  AND  MAKE  REASONABLE  EFFORTS  TO  SECURE  FEDERAL
   54  ASSISTANCE FOR THE PROJECT; AND
   55    (VII)  TO  NOT SELL, LEASE, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF OR USE LANDS REHA-
   56  BILITATED UNDER THIS ARTICLE  FOR  ANY  PURPOSE  INCONSISTENT  WITH  THE
       S. 1601--A                          8                         A. 1582--A
    1  PROJECT  FOR A PERIOD OF SEVEN YEARS FROM THE COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL OF
    2  THE PROJECT.
    3    2.  IN  CONNECTION  WITH  EACH  CONTRACT,  THE COMMISSIONER SHALL KEEP
    4  ADEQUATE RECORDS OF THE AMOUNT OF THE PAYMENT BY THE STATE  AND  OF  THE
    5  AMOUNT  OF  FEDERAL  ASSISTANCE, IF ANY, RECEIVED BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR
    6  NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION.  SUCH  RECORDS  SHALL  BE  RETAINED  BY  THE
    7  COMMISSIONER  AND  SHALL  ESTABLISH  THE  BASIS FOR RECALCULATION OF THE
    8  STATE PAYMENT AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION.
    9  S 58-0123. STATE PROJECTS.
   10    THE  COMMISSIONER  IS  AUTHORIZED,  WITHIN  AMOUNTS  APPROPRIATED,  TO
   11  DIRECTLY UNDERTAKE A PECONIC BAY ESTUARY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT PURSUANT
   12  TO  THIS  ARTICLE WHERE SUCH PROJECT IS RECOMMENDED IN AN ACTION PLAN OR
   13  COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND IS ON STATE LANDS OR
   14  STATE LANDS UNDERWATER OR IS OTHERWISE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE STATE.
   15  S 58-0125. SEVERABILITY.
   16    IF ANY CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR PART  OF  THIS  ARTICLE
   17  SHALL  BE ADJUDGED BY ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO BE INVALID,
   18  SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT, IMPAIR OR INVALIDATE THE REMAINDER THER-
   19  EOF, BUT SHALL BE CONFINED IN ITS OPERATION  TO  THE  CLAUSE,  SENTENCE,
   20  PARAGRAPH,  SECTION OR PART THEREOF DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE CONTROVERSY
   21  IN WHICH SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN RENDERED.
   22    S 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
   23  it shall have become a law.
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