N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 3-0313: Adopt-a-beach stewardship program

§ 3-0313. Adopt-a-beach stewardship program.

1. The commissioner may enter into stewardship agreements with any

person or persons for the purposes of preserving, maintaining, or

enhancing a state-owned beach, shoreline area or portion thereof in

accordance with the policies of this chapter.

2. The stewardship agreement shall provide that the beach or shoreline

area be preserved and maintained in its natural state or managed to

enhance or restore the natural values it provides, consistent with the

provisions of this chapter. Activities may include: remediating

vandalism and storm damage, picking up litter and trash, establishing or

maintaining access or nature trails, providing interpretive services for

school groups and other citizens, and otherwise providing positive

benefits to the beach or shoreline area.

3. Stewardship agreement with any person or persons may provide for

assistance of personnel, facilities and supplies of the department for

the purposes of supporting appropriate activities under such stewardship

agreement, in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

4. The department shall establish procedures by which a person or

persons may apply for a stewardship agreement, and shall be responsible

for working with such persons to identify specific sections of a

state-owned beach or shoreline area and specific activities deemed

appropriate for such stewardship agreement. The department may consider

factors such as safety, environmental sensitivity, need, cost and other

factors deemed relevant in determining which beach or shoreline areas or

activities may be eligible or appropriate for a stewardship agreement.

5. The department shall provide recognition of the stewardship

activities by appropriate signage on or near the adopted beach or

shoreline area, and may provide recognition by such other measures as it

may determine to be appropriate, including but not limited to press

releases, certificates, and newsletters.

6. The stewardship agreement may be modified in scope or altered in

any other manner at the sole discretion of the department, not

inconsistent with the provisions of this section. The person or persons

shall have the option of renewing the agreement subject to the approval

of the department and the continuation by the department of the

adopt-a-beach stewardship program. The department may immediately remove

the signs and it may terminate the agreement upon thirty days notice, if

in its sole judgment it finds and determines that the person or persons

are not meeting the terms and conditions of the agreement.

7. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, the state and

its employees shall not be liable for damages suffered by any person

resulting from the actions or activities of such volunteers.