Environment (Coastal & Flood Protection) in New York

passed · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

K 1608: Recognizing June 13, 2026, as Dragonfly Day in the State of New York

This bill designates June 13, 2026, as Dragonfly Day in New York to raise public awareness about the importance of dragonflies as indicators of wetland health. The resolution highlights how dragonflies help control mosquito populations and serves as a symbol for the need to protect wetland ecosystems from pollution and development. It emphasizes that healthy wetlands provide essential services like flood control and water filtration, urging the state to support nature-based solutions for climate resilience. The bill does not create new laws or funding but aims to encourage greater public attention on preserving these critical habitats.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New York · Assembly Apr 14, 2026

A 10986: Prohibits the use of trawling, gill nets, and trammel nets except for scientific purposes; repealer

This bill prohibits the use of trawling, gill nets, and trammel nets for commercial or recreational fishing, with the only exception being for scientific research purposes. It directly affects fishermen and other individuals who currently use these specific types of nets to catch fish in New York waters. The legislation amends existing environmental laws to ban these methods entirely and restricts the use of nets in designated coastal zones unless a specific license is obtained. By removing previous geographic exemptions, the bill expands the areas where these fishing techniques are forbidden to protect local marine ecosystems.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 3, 2026

A 10936: Relates to the definition of tidal wetlands

This bill updates the legal definition of tidal wetlands to explicitly include areas within the marine and coastal district. By amending the Environmental Conservation Law, it clarifies that these wetlands encompass specific features like banks, salt marshes, and swamps that border or lie beneath tidal waters. The change ensures that lands currently or formerly connected to tidal action in this district are recognized under the existing wetland protections. This adjustment affects how environmental regulations are applied to these specific coastal areas without altering other parts of the law.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · New York · Assembly May 11, 2026

A 11305: Establishes the New York state office of ocean economy within the department of environmental conservation

Enacts the "New York state blue economy development act" to establish the New York state office of ocean economy within the department of environmental conservation to strengthen coastal communities, promote sustainable economic growth and innovation, support working waterfront and maritime industries; enhance environmental protection and coastal resilience, and align public, private and academic stakeholders under a coordinated statewide strategy.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · New York · Senate Jun 3, 2026

S 9479: Relates to the definition of tidal wetlands

This bill amends the Environmental Conservation Law to include the marine and coastal district within the official definition of tidal wetlands. The change expands the legal scope to cover areas bordering or beneath tidal waters, such as banks, bogs, salt marshes, swamps, and meadows within that specific district. By updating the definition, the bill ensures these coastal areas are recognized under existing environmental protections. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation

in committee · New York · Senate Feb 27, 2026

S 9304: Prohibits the use of trawling, gill nets, and trammel nets except for scientific purposes; repealer

This bill prohibits commercial and recreational fishing using trawls, gill nets, and trammel nets in most New York coastal waters, including Long Island Sound, specific bays (like Great South Bay), and designated shoreline areas. It exempts only scientific research activities authorized by the environmental department. The ban applies to all waters listed in the law, such as coastal zones near Rockaway Point, Fire Island, and Lake Erie. Fishermen in these areas would need a scientific research permit to use these nets instead of standard fishing licenses.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 10117: Establishes a stakeholder group in the Oswego river basin

This bill creates a stakeholder group to coordinate water releases in the Oswego river basin, directly affecting entities managing flood discharges, local communities, and the Department of Environmental Conservation. The group must review flood storage and watershed release strategies, including modeling, and recommend a regulatory structure for coordinating water releases during high-flow events. Within six months of forming, the group must propose options to the governor and legislature, such as continuing the group, mandating coordination, or establishing a water regulating district. The bill requires the group to consider all available data and make specific recommendations on how to improve communication and water management during flood events.

Topics ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Water Quality

in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 7034: Permits structures to remain within a certain erosion hazard area or tidal wetland adjacent area

Permits structures to remain where the local permitting authority has issued a permit for construction built within a certain erosion hazard area or tidal wetland adjacent area.

Topics ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection

in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 5730: Establishes the water resiliency projects fund; appropriation

Establishes the water resiliency projects fund for flood mitigation, stormwater mitigation and other water related resiliency projects; makes an appropriation therefor.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 9027: Relates to the granting of certificates for the construction or operation of industrial wind turbines

Prohibits the granting of a certificate for the construction or operation of an on-shore or off-shore industrial wind turbine or wind farm within the jurisdiction and control of the state and within any area of the state outside of the city of New York unless a certificate for the construction or operation of an on-shore or off-shore industrial wind turbine or wind farm within geographic boundaries of or the shoreline adjacent to the city of New York is granted simultaneously.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Sub-Topics Wind Coastal & Flood Protection

All environment bills