BILL NUMBER: S2273
SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
designating the Montauk Point shoals area as an important bird area and
making such area part of the New York state bird conservation area
program
 
PURPOSE:
To designate the Montauk Point shoals area of Suffolk County as an
important bird area.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This legislation will amend section 11-2001 of the environmental conser-
vation law to declare the Montauk Point shoals area of Suffolk County an
important bird area and the Department of Environmental Conservation
commissioner shall designate the area as a part of the New York State
Bird Conservation Area (BCA) program. This legislation shall not impose
any new fishing restrictions.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The Montauk Point shoals area is a critical habitat for tens of thou-
sands of waterfowl and pelagic seabirds. This area regularly supports at
least two thousand birds. During the winter months, winter sea duck
concentrations around Montauk Point are the largest in the state. Addi-
tionally, the notable populations of gannet and alcid bird species qual-
ify Montauk Point shoals a BCA under the "pelagic seabird site" crite-
ria.
The surrounding waters of Montauk Point are home to the Common Tern
(Sterna hirundo), a species listed as threatened in New York, as well as
the Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii) a federally endangered species.
Under the "species at risk site", this area qualifies as a BCA.
The Montauk Point shoals area is threatened by several anthropogenic
activities. Nonpoint source pollution, contaminants, waste disposal and
dredging all have the potential to threaten the area and the birds that
call it home. Designating this area as the Montauk Point Shoals Bird
Conservation Area will help ensure that this critical habitat is
protected.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2022 S.5056/A.4105; 2020 5.8095
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the sixtieth day after it shall have
become a law.