Bill > A00906

This bill amends the New York State Environmental Conservation Law to explicitly recognize the nighttime sky as an important environmental and aesthetic resource. The legislation updates existing state policy language to replace the term "man" with "people" and adds specific references to preserving the unique qualities of the nighttime sky alongside other environmental considerations. The bill expands the state's environmental policy to include protecting the nighttime sky as part of creating surroundings that are aesthetically pleasing, and it broadens the language about preserving unique qualities of special resources to explicitly mention the nighttime sky, state parks, farms, forested lands, and open spaces. By making these modifications, the bill aims to formally acknowledge the importance of dark sky preservation and make it a formal part of New York State's environmental policy, which could potentially influence future conservation and development decisions. The changes are relatively minor but symbolically significant in recognizing the nighttime sky as a valuable environmental asset that deserves protection and appreciation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A906