N.Y. Environmental Conservation Law § 9-0717: Community forests

§ 9-0717. Community forests.

1. Power and authority. A county, city, town, village, school district

or any other political subdivision of the state, may acquire by

purchase, or gift, or take over lands in its possession within the

boundaries of the state and use the same for forestry purposes. The

governing board of a county, city, town or school district may

appropriate money for the purchase of lands for the purposes herein

provided, to establish forest plantations or for the care and management

of forests.

2. Procedure. Such boards may undertake such work at regular or

special meetings by majority vote of such board after two weeks' public

notice setting forth the fact that such plan is contemplated and that

moneys are to be appropriated for such purposes.

3. Assistance and trees and shrubs. The department may assist and

advise such boards in its reforesting and wildlife habitat improvement

work, and the department may furnish trees and shrubs for planting such

publicly owned lands without charge provided they are planted in

accordance with the instructions of the department.

4. Use. Such governing board shall have full power and authority to

acquire, maintain, manage and operate such forests, and sell the produce

thereof, for the benefit of the inhabitants of its district.

5. Revenue. The net income from such lands shall be paid into the

general fund of such municipal division and shall be used only upon

order of its governing board.