Bill > S06331

This bill establishes the position of Catskill Park Coordinator within the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to enhance regional development and coordination of park-related activities. The coordinator will be responsible for building partnerships between the DEC and various stakeholders, including state agencies, municipal governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, with the primary goal of developing a community-based tourism strategy for the forest preserve to strengthen the regional economy. Specifically, the coordinator's duties will include coordinating the implementation of public access and park-wide plans, improving communication between different regional DEC offices and stakeholders, seeking and tracking funding for park initiatives, maintaining a tracking system for departmental program activities, and providing continuity in planning efforts. The position is modeled after similar successful advocate roles in other New York regions like the Hudson River estuary, Adirondacks, and Salmon River corridor. The coordinator will help integrate watershed agreement activities with other departmental program interests and advocate for the best interests of the Catskill Park. The bill is set to take effect on the first of April following its enactment.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S6331