NY Env Conserv L § 9-0113 (2021)
2021 New York Laws ENV - Environmental Conservation Article 9 - Lands and Forests Title 1 - General Provisions 9-0113 - Adopt-a-Natural Resource Stewardship Program.

§ 9-0113. Adopt-a-natural resource stewardship program.1.  The  commissioner  may  enter into stewardship agreements with any   person or persons  for  the  purposes  of  preserving,  maintaining,  or   enhancing   a   state-owned  natural  resource  or  portion  thereof  in   accordance with the policies of this article.2. The stewardship agreement shall provide that the  natural  resource   be  preserved  and maintained in its natural state or managed to enhance   or restore the natural resource values they provide, consistent with the   provisions of this chapter and purposes of this article. Activities  may   include:   remediating   vandalism,   picking   up   litter  and  trash,   establishing  or  maintaining  access  or   nature   trails,   providing   interpretive  services  for  school  groups and other citizens, managing   fish and wildlife habitat, and otherwise providing positive benefits  to   the natural resource.3.  Stewardship  agreement  with any person or persons may provide for   assistance of personnel, facilities and supplies of the  department  for   the purposes of supporting appropriate activities under such stewardship   agreement, in accordance with the provisions of this article.4.  The  department  shall  establish  procedures by which a person or   persons may apply for a stewardship agreement, and shall be  responsible   for  working  with  such  persons  to  identify  specific  sections of a   state-owned natural resource and specific activities deemed  appropriate   for such stewardship agreement. The department may consider factors such   as  safety,  environmental  sensitivity,  need,  cost  and other factors   deemed relevant in determining which natural resource or activities  may   be eligible or appropriate for a stewardship agreement.5.  Consistent  with  other  laws  of the state and regulations of the   department, the department shall provide recognition of the  stewardship   activities  by  appropriate  signage  on  or  near  the  adopted natural   resource, and may provide recognition by such other measures as  it  may   determine  to  be  appropriate,  including  but  not  limited  to  press   releases,   certificates,   newsletters,    and    articles    in    the   conservationist.6.  The  stewardship  agreement may be modified in scope or altered in   any  other  manner  at  the  sole  discretion  of  the  department,  not   inconsistent  with the provisions of this section. The person or persons   shall have the option of renewing the agreement subject to the  approval   of  the  department  and  the  continuation  by  the  department  of the   adopt-a-natural  resource  stewardship  program.  The   department   may   terminate  the agreement and remove the signs upon thirty day notice, if   in its sole judgment it finds and determines that the person or  persons   are not meeting the terms and conditions of the agreement.7.  The  department  shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide   assistance to other state agencies that  are  interested  in  developing   stewardship programs for natural resources under their jurisdiction.8.  Notwithstanding  any  inconsistent provision of law, the state and   its employees shall not be liable for damages  suffered  by  any  person   resulting from the actions or activities of such volunteers.