Public comment period opens for strategy to conserve 30% of New York

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a plan to conserve 30% of land and water by 2030, as outlined in the 30x30 Act (S6191A/A5390B). Still a draft, the strategy document is open to public comments until August 30.

The Draft Strategies and Methodology report proposes a structure to meet that one-third threshold by prioritizing watersheds and wetlands, habitat conservation, wildlife migration, farmland preservation, and cooling off urban landscapes. You can read it at the bottom of this story.

DEC and the state's Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) posted the document on Monday and also announced two virtual public meetings:

During the 60-day comment period, officials want input from local leaders, environmental experts, and regular New Yorkers. You can send comments to:

The report said that New York already conserved almost 22% of its land and waters, leaving just over 8% more that needs protecting. With a total land and water acreage of 34.9 million in New York, the document tallied this final portion at close to 2.9 millions acres. It suggests practicing sustainable land management, collaborating with indigenous nations, enhancing current grants, creating new grants, and working on legislation to protect even more of the state's watersheds and forests.

“Since passing my legislation requiring conservation of 30% of our land and water by 2030, New York has made strides in preserving open space, farmland, and biodiverse environments, with 21% of our land and water currently conserved,” said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, who sponsored A5390B. “This report underscores that public and private partnerships are vital to achieving that goal, and that New York’s effort is key to advancing the Biden administration’s national 30x30 goal to help combat climate change and protect biodiversity. Through working with family farms, open space organizations, and state agencies, New York is providing a blueprint for 30x30 to the nation—while cementing our commitment to reducing the costs and impacts of climate change on our communities across the state.”

Hochul signed the legislation in December 2022, committing the state to pursuing the conservation goal set by the federal government. The Act aimed to protect the area's biodiversity while helping communities adapt to the effects of climate change. In the past decade, the government threw over $37 billion at remedying disasters caused by severe weather. One estimate cited by the draft suggests $55 billion more by 2029.

According to the environmental group Protect the Adirondacks, the draft represents the first time Hochul Administration went on record about the urgency of conservation, carbon reduction, and resiliency. "We encourage the Hochul Administration to develop a new private forestland protection program based on long-term carbon storage for landowners across New York," added Claudia Braymer, Deputy Director of Protect the Adirondacks. "There are millions of acres of privately owned forests where landowners are eager to protect their lands and help the State meets its climate change mitigation goals.”

Take a look at the report below: