Senate Passes Comprehensive Environmental Package

ALBANY, 04/22/15 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today announced senate passage of a comprehensive package of legislation to create new protections for natural resources, promote energy conservation, help create green jobs, and increase tourism through enhanced recreational opportunities. 

“One of the top reasons many people live and move to our state is because of our natural beauty,” said Senator Seward.  “We need to protect our resources and also find new ways to promote their magnificence.  This senate package strikes a balance and will keep our resources safe, create green jobs, and enhance everyone’s ability to enjoy our great natural assets. 

“I am particularly pleased that several of the measures focus on the important role our sportsmen play in ensuring the future viability and vitality of our environment.   They are true stewards of our forests and waterways and I have consistently worked to make sure their rights are protected.  The bills in this package would help reduce license fees for volunteer firemen and veterans, protect personal information, and promote outdoor education in our schools – all solid steps,” Seward concluded. 

The senate package includes: 

S92, eliminates the requirement that hunters wear back tags during hunting season in the state;

S368, authorizes the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to undertake projects to protect national historic landmarks from shore erosion;

S829, eliminates the expiration of and makes permanent provisions of law authorizing an individual to fish with up to three lines in freshwater;

S1676, creates a task force on interagency cooperation within the forestry industry;

S1876, relates to party and charter boat licenses;

S1195, expands the powers and duties of the Historic Hudson Hoosic Rivers partnership;

S1599, relates to permitting the use of peregrine falcons in falconry;

S1625, relates to hunting, fishing, and outdoor education in high school physical education courses;

S1626, permits commercial applicators of pesticides to apply pesticides in a dosage, concentration or frequency less than what is specified on the labeling;

S1689, authorizes deer and bear hunting in the counties of Broome, Chenango, and Tioga with rifles and other arms;

S1781, provides for the issuance of fishing and hunting licenses, free of charge, to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers;

S1804, provides an exemption from state sales tax for energy star appliances and grants municipalities the option to provide such exemption;

S1872, prohibits the taking of striped bass during the period of January 1 to April 15;

S2543, extends the moratorium on the issuance of environmental safety certificates for facilities and routes for the transportation of liquefied natural or petroleum gas;

S2951, protects certain information on hunting, fishing and trapping license and permit applications from disclosure;

S3025, provides for a lifetime license for honorably discharged, disabled veterans;

S3029, relates to exemptions from requirements for fishing licenses for members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are on leave from active military duty;

S3060, enacts the “Oil and Gas Waste Management Act of 2015” to require solid waste management facilities accepting waste from oil and gas drilling operations to screen such waste for radioactivity;

S3064, provides definition of Integrated Pest Management;

S4279, provides an exemption for the sale and installation of residential and commercial geothermal heat pump systems equipment;

S4368, requires the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation to promote education in hunting, fishing, and outdoor education in high school physical education courses;

S4563, authorizes the forest ranger force to establish a training program for volunteer search and rescue personnel to assist the forest rangers; and

S4753, commercial fuel cell systems and electricity provided by such sources from sales tax.

The bills have been sent to the assembly.

-30-