N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 49-0113: Thirty by thirty conservation goal

* § 49-0113. Thirty by thirty conservation goal.

1. It shall be the goal of the state to support and contribute to

national efforts to conserve at least thirty percent of United States

lands and inland waters and at least thirty percent of United States

ocean areas by the year two thousand thirty.

2. The department in consultation with the commissioner of the office

of parks, recreation and historic preservation, shall develop strategies

and a methodology to achieve the goal, including but not limited to:

(a) coordination with the state land acquisition plan;

(b) prioritizing protections for water sources and sole source

aquifers, including wetlands protections;

(c) protections and restoration projects for preserving and increasing

biodiversity, including habitat restoration, with a focus on habitats of

endangered and threatened species including resilient and connected

lands and corridors providing means for wildlife migration and

habitation;

(d) expanding access to nature and nature's benefits and equitable

outdoor access in communities in every region;

(e) consideration of a broad range of landscapes including urban,

suburban and rural natural areas, wetlands, forests, and watersheds;

(f) consideration of the state's economic sustainability, including

preservation of food security and consultation with the department of

agriculture and markets on issues related to farmland preservation of

working lands;

(g) increasing climate resilience, including reducing risk from

extreme weather events including cooling urban landscapes and natural

solutions to prevent erosion and flooding;

(h) collaboration with federal and state research institutions to

utilize innovative scientific observation technology to better

understand the state's conservation needs and biodiversity and threats

thereto;

(i) implementing actions in a manner that includes consideration of

the urgency of meeting the goal while still preserving public input and

involvement;

(j) collaboration with tribal partners to incorporate tribal expertise

and traditional ecological knowledge to better understand the state's

conservation needs and biodiversity and threats thereto; and

(k) participating in regional, national, and international efforts to

advance biodiversity protection, including preventing extinctions.

3. Conservation measures shall be undertaken in ways that serve all

communities, including low-income, disadvantaged and vulnerable

communities, including by ensuring meaningful opportunities for public

input and involvement.

4. The department shall post the draft strategies and methodology

developed to meet the goal no later than July first, two thousand

twenty-four and hold at least one public hearing thereon. The department

shall post the final goal strategies and methodology on its website.

5. The department shall maintain and, at least annually, update its

website to provide information with regard to the implementation and

status of the goal.

* NB Repealed January 1, 2031