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Wyoming County urges state lawmakers to oppose bills enabling easements on state forests
Summary
The Board passed a resolution opposing NY Senate Bill S.4408.A and Assembly Bill A.10483.A, saying the bills could allow easements or easement-like agreements that interfere with State Forest Management Plans, public access and wildlife habitat management.
Wyoming County’s Board of Supervisors on June 9 adopted Resolution No. 26-311 urging Governor Kathy Hochul and the state legislature to oppose Senate Bill S.4408.A and Assembly Bill A.10483.A. The resolution says the bills’ language permitting “agreements or easements” for renewable-energy interconnections in state reforestation areas is vague and could be broadly interpreted to the detriment of hunting, timber management, public access and conservation objectives.
The resolution cites Environmental Conservation Law §9-0501(1) describing the purposes for which State Forest lands were acquired and notes concerns that new easements or corridors could restrict public use and damage wildlife habitat and carbon-sink functions. The board asked that the State prioritize brownfields, rooftops and previously disturbed lands for renewable siting and to preserve meaningful local government participation in siting decisions.
