BILL NUMBER: S3255

SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the
setback requirement in the Peconic and Gardiner's Bays for the Suffolk
County Lease Program and Sugar Kelp

 
PURPOSE:

To change the setback requirement in the Peconic and Gardiners Bay for
the Suffolk County Lease Program and Sugar Kelp production from 1,000
feet to 500 feet.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Amends paragraph a of subdivision 4 of section 13-0302 of the
2 environmental conservation law to change the setback requirement in
the Peconic and Gardiners Bay for the Suffolk County Lease Program and
Sugar Kelp production from 1.000 fee to 500 feet.

              

Section 2. Sets for the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Several years ago, New York State seceded approximately 110,000 acres of
underwater lands in the Peconic and Gardiners Bays to the County of
Suffolk under the condition that the County would develop a program to
lease underwater lands to growers to produce shellfish. In 2010, the
County formally authorized the Suffolk County Aquaculture Lease Program
(SCALP) to lease 10-acre plots to shellfish farmers for production of
shellfish.

A recent study by the Suffolk County Department of Planning shows that a
reduction in the 1,000-foot setback to 500 feet would allow for addi-
tional lease sites that do not conflict with recreational users, commer-
cial fishermen and homeowners.  This legislation would reduce the
initial setback requirement to a 500-foot buffer zone.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2024 S.6558

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately