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S06532 Summary:

BILL NOS06532A
 
SAME ASSAME AS A07547-A
 
SPONSORKAMINSKY
 
COSPNSRBIAGGI, COMRIE, LIU, MANNION, PALUMBO
 
MLTSPNSR
 
Amd §§13-0302 & 13-0328, En Con L
 
Permits kelp cultivation in underwater lands at Gardiner's and Peconic bays; permits Suffolk county to lease lands under water ceded to it by the state for the purpose of kelp cultivation; modifies certain provisions regarding commercial fishing licenses; makes related provisions.
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S06532 Text:



 
                STATE OF NEW YORK
        ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                         6532--A
            Cal. No. 984
 
                               2021-2022 Regular Sessions
 
                    IN SENATE
 
                                       May 5, 2021
                                       ___________
 
        Introduced by Sens. KAMINSKY, MANNION, PALUMBO -- read twice and ordered
          printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environ-
          mental Conservation -- reported favorably from said committee, ordered
          to  first  and  second report, ordered to a third reading, amended and
          ordered reprinted, retaining its place in the order of third reading
 
        AN ACT to amend the  environmental  conservation  law,  in  relation  to
          permitting  kelp  cultivation  in  underwater  lands at Gardiner's and
          Peconic bays and commercial fishing licenses
 
          The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and  Assem-
        bly, do enact as follows:
 
     1    Section  1.  Legislative  findings.  The  state of New York has made a
     2  significant investment in combating nitrogen  pollution,  low  dissolved
     3  oxygen,  harmful  algal  blooms  and  a  variety  of other water quality
     4  impairments that threaten our coastal waters  and  fisheries  and  human
     5  health.
     6    Kelp,  which  is native to New York waters, plays an important role in
     7  the fight to restore the health of our waterways. Kelp acts as a natural
     8  sink for carbon and nitrogen in our bays while increasing oxygen  levels
     9  and  reducing  acidification.  Kelp serves as a natural habitat for fish
    10  and shellfish in the state's waters. As  New  York  continues  to  fight
    11  climate  change  and  nitrogen  pollution,  sustainable kelp farming can
    12  provide substantial environmental benefits for the state.  Kelp  farming
    13  has  a  very low environmental impact footprint, requiring no additional
    14  water or fertilizer use, but yields a valuable product.
    15    In addition to the environmental benefits, there are economic benefits
    16  for New York state by entering the emerging kelp farming market. Kelp is
    17  an edible and nutritious food with a growing market. It is also utilized
    18  in cosmetic and personal care products and used in fertilizer and animal
    19  feed.
    20    States including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and  Rhode  Island
    21  have   already  established  kelp  and  commercial  seaweed  aquaculture
    22  programs. In New York, there is an opportunity to promote this  industry
    23  by providing access for kelp aquaculture to state owned underwater lands
    24  ceded to Suffolk County.
 
         EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                              [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                   LBD11095-05-1

        S. 6532--A                          2
 
     1    The cultivation of kelp is a growing industry with significant econom-
     2  ic,  health,  and  environmental  benefits. The enactment of this legis-
     3  lation would promote kelp aquaculture in Gardiner's  and  Peconic  Bays,
     4  create  economic  benefits  in New York state, and restore water quality
     5  and fish habitat in the state's waterways.
     6    §  2.  Section 13-0302 of the environmental conservation law, as added
     7  by chapter 425 of the laws of 2004, subdivision 10 as added  by  chapter
     8  322 of the laws of 2016, is amended to read as follows:
     9  § 13-0302. Lands underwater of Gardiner's and Peconic bays.
    10    1.  Underwater  lands ceded to county of Suffolk. All the right, title
    11  and interest in which the people of the state of New York have in and to
    12  the lands under water of Gardiner's and Peconic bays in  the  county  of
    13  Suffolk,  except  underwater  lands within one thousand feet of the high
    14  water mark is hereby ceded to such county, for the purposes of shellfish
    15  or kelp cultivation, to  be  managed  and  controlled  by  such  county,
    16  provided that such lands shall revert to the state when they shall cease
    17  to  be used for shellfish cultivation. For the purposes of this section,
    18  the term  "Gardiner's  and  Peconic  bays"  shall  mean  the  waters  of
    19  Gardiner's  and  Peconic  bays  and  the tributaries thereof between the
    20  westerly shore of Great Peconic bay and an easterly  line  running  from
    21  the  most easterly point of Plum island to Goff point at the entrance of
    22  Napeague harbor.
    23    2. Ratification. The grant of lands under the waters of Gardiner's and
    24  Peconic bays, by the commissioners of  shell  fisheries,  in  accordance
    25  with  the  provisions  of  chapter  385 of the laws of 1884, as amended,
    26  subsequently held and used  by  the  grantees,  heirs,  successors,  and
    27  assigns  on  which  all taxes and assessments have been paid, are hereby
    28  ratified and confirmed. Any underwater lands in Gardiner's  and  Peconic
    29  Bays  previously  granted  that  revert  or  escheat to the state or are
    30  subject to tax deed by the county of Suffolk shall be available  to  the
    31  county  for leasing pursuant to this section. All other lands under such
    32  waters, which pursuant to such chapters, have escheated or  reverted  to
    33  the  state,  are  hereby ceded to Suffolk county for the purposes of the
    34  cultivation of shellfish, subject to existing  valid  grants  and  ease-
    35  ments;  provided  however,  that nothing in this section shall interfere
    36  with the right of the commissioner of general services  to  grant  lands
    37  and easements under water to owners of adjacent uplands, pursuant to the
    38  provisions  of  the public lands law, or of the legislature to make such
    39  grants without regard to upland ownership, and to  grant  franchises  to
    40  utilities,  municipalities  and governmental, educational, or scientific
    41  bodies for cables, outfalls,  ecological  studies,  and  experimentation
    42  with controlled marine life.
    43    3.  Leases  for  shellfish cultivation. Suffolk county may lease lands
    44  under water ceded to it by the state for the purpose of shellfish culti-
    45  vation. Provided if no such leases have been executed by December  thir-
    46  ty-first,  two  thousand  ten,  such authority to lease pursuant to this
    47  section shall terminate.
    48    a. Leases may be issued only  within  areas  designated  as  shellfish
    49  cultivation  zones  on  a map or maps to be prepared and approved by the
    50  county of Suffolk.
    51    b. No lease shall be granted except upon written application on  forms
    52  furnished  by the county of Suffolk, and properly executed and signed by
    53  the applicant.
    54    c. Before a lease is approved, notice shall be provided for  at  least
    55  two  months  by posting such notice at the bureau of marine resources in
    56  the department, the office of the county clerk, and the  office  of  the

        S. 6532--A                          3
 
     1  town  clerk  in  which  all  or  any  part of the lands to be leased are
     2  located.  Such notice shall also be published in the official  newspaper
     3  of  the  county.  The  notice  shall include the name of the lessee, the
     4  boundaries  of  the  lease,  and  the  area  of the lease. A copy of the
     5  proposed lease shall be available for public inspection and  copying  in
     6  the office of the county clerk.
     7    4.  Establishment  of  shellfish  cultivation zones. Before leasing or
     8  using the lands hereby ceded to it, the county of Suffolk shall cause an
     9  accurate survey to be made of such lands,  and  a  map  or  maps  to  be
    10  prepared  therefrom.  Such  map or maps shall establish shellfish culti-
    11  vation zones within Gardiner's and Peconic bays. Such map or maps  shall
    12  be  approved by local law. After such map or maps have been adopted, the
    13  county shall have the authority to issue  leases  for  shellfish  culti-
    14  vation  within the shellfish cultivation zones, as provided herein. Such
    15  map or maps shall be updated by the county of Suffolk every five years.
    16    a. Underwater lands within one thousand feet of the  high  water  mark
    17  shall not be included in a shellfish cultivation zone.
    18    b.  Underwater  lands  where  bay  scallops are produced regularly and
    19  harvested on a commercial basis shall not be  included  in  a  shellfish
    20  cultivation zone.
    21    c.  Underwater lands where there is an indicated presence of shellfish
    22  in sufficient quantity and quality and so located as to support  signif-
    23  icant  hand  raking and/or tonging harvesting shall not be included in a
    24  shellfish cultivation zone.
    25    d. Underwater lands where the leasing will  result  in  a  significant
    26  reduction  of  established  commercial  finfish  or crustacean fisheries
    27  shall not be included in a shellfish cultivation zone.
    28    5. Regulations for shellfish cultivation. The county shall,  by  local
    29  law, before leasing any such underwater lands, adopt regulations govern-
    30  ing:
    31    a. applications for leases;
    32    b. notices to be given;
    33    c. the form and terms of leases;
    34    d. standards for the approval or denial of leases;
    35    e. administration of leases;
    36    f. the transfer or renewal of leases;
    37    g. marking grounds and testing;
    38    h. fees;
    39    i. recording of leases;
    40    j. bonds; and
    41    k. such other matters as are appropriate to the leasing program.
    42    6.  Department  authority  over shellfish cultivation. Notwithstanding
    43  any of the provisions of this section:
    44    a. any person engaging in the cultivation or harvesting  of  shellfish
    45  in  a shellfish cultivation zone pursuant to this section shall obtain a
    46  permit in accordance with section 13-0316 of this title; and
    47    b. the department shall regulate and control the use of certain  types
    48  of  vessels  and  equipment  for  harvesting shellfish, requirements for
    49  reseeding, the right to enter upon such leased lands  for  reseeding  or
    50  making  shellfish  population  surveys, and enforce all other applicable
    51  state laws relating to said underwater lands.
    52    7. Leases for kelp cultivation.
    53    a. Suffolk county may lease lands under water ceded to it by the state
    54  for the purpose of kelp cultivation, provided if  no  such  leases  have
    55  been  executed  by  December thirty-first, two thousand thirty-one, such
    56  authority to lease pursuant to this  section  shall  terminate.  Nothing

        S. 6532--A                          4
 
     1  shall  preclude  the  county from issuing a single lease to an applicant
     2  for both shellfish and kelp, provided that the application complies with
     3  all the requirements of this section. For the purposes of this  section,
     4  "kelp"  means  any  of  the  brown seaweeds of the order of Laminariales
     5  approved by the commissioner for cultivation in the waters of Gardiner's
     6  and Peconic bays.
     7    b. Leases may be issued only within areas designated  as  kelp  culti-
     8  vation  zones on a map or maps to be prepared and approved by the county
     9  of Suffolk.
    10    c. No lease shall be granted, except upon written application on forms
    11  furnished by the county of Suffolk, and properly executed and signed  by
    12  the applicant.
    13    d.  Before  a lease is approved, notice shall be provided for at least
    14  two months by posting such notice at the bureau of marine  resources  in
    15  the  department,  the  office of the county clerk, and the office of the
    16  town clerk in which all or any part  of  the  lands  to  be  leased  are
    17  located.   Such notice shall also be published in the official newspaper
    18  of the county. The notice shall include the  name  of  the  lessee,  the
    19  boundaries  of  the  lease,  and  the  area  of the lease. A copy of the
    20  proposed lease shall be available for public inspection and  copying  in
    21  the office of the county clerk.
    22    e.  Before  leasing  or  using  the  lands hereby ceded to it for kelp
    23  cultivation, the county of Suffolk shall cause an accurate survey to  be
    24  made of such lands, and a map or maps to be prepared therefrom. Such map
    25  or  maps  shall  establish  kelp cultivation zones within Gardiner's and
    26  Peconic bays. Such map or maps shall be approved  by  local  law.  After
    27  such  map or maps have been adopted, the county shall have the authority
    28  to issue leases for kelp cultivation within the kelp cultivation  zones,
    29  as  provided  herein. Such map or maps shall be updated by the county of
    30  Suffolk every five years.
    31    f. Underwater lands within one thousand feet of the  high  water  mark
    32  shall not be included in a kelp cultivation zone.
    33    g.  Underwater  lands  where  bay  scallops are produced regularly and
    34  harvested on a commercial basis shall not be included in a  kelp  culti-
    35  vation zone.
    36    h.  Underwater lands where there is an indicated presence of shellfish
    37  in sufficient quantity and quality and so located as to support  signif-
    38  icant  hand  raking and/or tonging harvesting shall not be included in a
    39  kelp cultivation zone.
    40    i. Underwater lands where the leasing will  result  in  a  significant
    41  reduction  of  established  commercial  finfish  or crustacean fisheries
    42  shall not be included in a kelp cultivation zone.
    43    j. The county shall, by local law, before leasing any such  underwater
    44  lands, adopt regulations governing:
    45    (i) applications for leases;
    46    (ii) notices to be given;
    47    (iii) the form and terms of leases;
    48    (iv) standards for the approval or denial of leases;
    49    (v) administration of leases;
    50    (vi) the transfer or renewal of leases;
    51    (vii) marking grounds and testing;
    52    (viii) fees;
    53    (ix) recording of leases;
    54    (x) bonds; and
    55    (xi) such other matters as are appropriate to the leasing program.
    56    k. Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this section:

        S. 6532--A                          5
 
     1    (i)  any person engaging in the cultivation or harvesting of kelp in a
     2  kelp cultivation zone pursuant to this section shall obtain all  permits
     3  required by this chapter;
     4    (ii)  the  department  shall  regulate  and control the use of certain
     5  types of vessels and equipment for  harvesting  kelp,  requirements  for
     6  reseeding,  the  right  to enter upon such leased lands, and enforce all
     7  other applicable state laws relating to said underwater lands; and
     8    (iii) any person engaging in the cultivation or harvesting of kelp  in
     9  a  kelp cultivation zone pursuant to this section shall receive approval
    10  from the commissioner.
    11    8. Duties of the county clerk. Leases issued pursuant to this  section
    12  shall  be  recorded  in the office of the county clerk in the manner and
    13  form to be determined by local law as provided in  subdivision  five  of
    14  this section.
    15    [8.]  9.  Summary proceedings. Upon the failure of a lessee to pay the
    16  rental on any date due under the terms of the lease or  upon  revocation
    17  as  provided  for  by local law pursuant to subdivision five or seven of
    18  this section, the county may, after written notice to the lessee declare
    19  the lease cancelled as of the date set forth in  such  notice,  and  may
    20  immediately  thereafter evict the lessee from such lands. The provisions
    21  of article seven of the real property actions and proceedings law  shall
    22  apply and govern the procedure in such case.
    23    [9.]  10.  Disposition  of fees and rents. All fees and rents received
    24  shall be deposited into the general fund of the county. However, in  the
    25  alternative, nothing shall prohibit the county of Suffolk, by local law,
    26  from  establishing a special fund for the promotion of aquaculture where
    27  such fees and rents shall be deposited.
    28    [10. Suffolk county shall be authorized to allow the underwater  lands
    29  at  Gardiner's and Peconic Bays within the shellfish cultivation zone to
    30  be used for the implementation of a pilot program  to  conduct  research
    31  and  scientific  assessment  of  the feasibility of seaweed cultivation.
    32  Such pilot program shall be limited to  persons  holding  a  lease  from
    33  Suffolk county for shellfish cultivation and shall be limited to a total
    34  of  five acres of such cultivation zone provided that any one person may
    35  be authorized to conduct seaweed cultivation on no more than one acre of
    36  the lease. Suffolk county shall provide a report to the legislature  and
    37  the  department  on  the  pilot program no later than January first, two
    38  thousand twenty-six.]
    39    § 3. Subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of section 13-0328 of the  environ-
    40  mental  conservation  law, subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 21 of the
    41  laws of 2019, paragraphs a and b and the opening paragraph of  paragraph
    42  c  of  subdivision  1  as amended by section 1 of item R of subpart A of
    43  part XXX of chapter 58 of the laws of 2020, subparagraph (iv)  of  para-
    44  graph  c of subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 490 of the laws of 2019,
    45  and subdivisions 2, 3, 4 and 5 as amended by section  2  of  item  R  of
    46  subpart  A of part XXX of chapter 58 of the laws of 2020, are amended to
    47  read as follows:
    48    1. Commercial  food  fish  licenses.  Commercial  food  fish  licenses
    49  provided  for  by  section  13-0335  of  this  title  shall be issued as
    50  follows:
    51    a. for the period  beginning  January  first,  two  thousand  eighteen
    52  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-two, the
    53  number  of resident commercial food fish licenses and the number of non-
    54  resident commercial food fish licenses shall not  exceed  the  following
    55  annual limits:

        S. 6532--A                          6
 
     1    (i) for two thousand eighteen, the number of licenses shall be limited
     2  to  the  number of licenses issued in two thousand seventeen, plus fifty
     3  percent of any difference between the number of licenses issued  in  two
     4  thousand seventeen and nine hundred sixty-nine;
     5    (ii) for two thousand nineteen, the number of licenses shall be limit-
     6  ed  to  the  number  of licenses established in subparagraph (i) of this
     7  paragraph;
     8    (iii) for two thousand twenty, the number of licenses shall be limited
     9  to the number of licenses established in subparagraph (i) of this  para-
    10  graph; [and]
    11    (iv)  for  two  thousand  twenty-one,  the number of licenses shall be
    12  limited to the number of licenses established  in  subparagraph  (i)  of
    13  this paragraph; and
    14    (v)  for  two  thousand  twenty-two,  the  number of licenses shall be
    15  limited to the number of licenses established  in  subparagraph  (i)  of
    16  this paragraph.
    17    b. for the period beginning January first, two thousand [twenty] twen-
    18  ty-one  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-
    19  two, persons who were issued a  commercial  food  fish  license  in  the
    20  previous year shall be eligible to be issued such license.
    21    c. for the period beginning January first, two thousand [twenty] twen-
    22  ty-one  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-
    23  two, the department shall issue commercial food fish licenses to persons
    24  who were not issued such license in the previous year provided that  the
    25  total number of such licenses issued to such persons does not exceed the
    26  difference  between the number of licenses established in paragraph a of
    27  this subdivision and the number of  such  licenses  issued  pursuant  to
    28  paragraph b of this subdivision, subject to the following:
    29    (i)  licenses  shall  be issued in the order in which the applications
    30  were received, except that where multiple applications are  received  by
    31  the  department  on the same day, applicants for whom the department has
    32  received notice of successful completion of an  apprenticeship  pursuant
    33  to  subdivision seven of this section shall be considered by the depart-
    34  ment prior to other applicants;
    35    (ii) licenses may be issued to individuals only;
    36    (iii) licenses shall be issued to applicants who are sixteen years  of
    37  age or older at the time of the application; and
    38    (iv)  licenses  shall  be  issued only to persons who demonstrate in a
    39  manner acceptable to the department that they received an average of  at
    40  least  fifteen  thousand  dollars of income over three consecutive years
    41  from commercial fishing or  fishing,  or  who  successfully  complete  a
    42  commercial  food  fish  apprenticeship  pursuant to subdivision seven of
    43  this section. As used in this subparagraph, "commercial  fishing"  means
    44  the taking and sale of marine resources including fish, shellfish, crus-
    45  tacea  or  other marine biota and "fishing" means commercial fishing and
    46  carrying fishing passengers for hire. Individuals who  wish  to  qualify
    47  based  on  income  from  "fishing"  must hold a valid marine and coastal
    48  district party and charter boat license. No more than ten percent of the
    49  licenses issued each year based on income eligibility pursuant  to  this
    50  paragraph  shall  be  issued to applicants who qualify based solely upon
    51  income derived from operation of or employment by  a  party  or  charter
    52  boat.  For the income evaluation of this subdivision, the department may
    53  consider persons who would otherwise be eligible but for  having  served
    54  in  the  United  States  armed forces on active duty, provided that such
    55  individual (1) has received an honorable or general  discharge,  or  (2)
    56  has a qualifying condition, as defined in section three hundred fifty of

        S. 6532--A                          7
 
     1  the  executive  law, and has received a discharge other than bad conduct
     2  or dishonorable from such service, or (3) is a discharged LGBT  veteran,
     3  as  defined in section three hundred fifty of the executive law, and has
     4  received  a  discharge  other than bad conduct or dishonorable from such
     5  service, shall not be deemed ineligible.
     6    2. Commercial lobster permits. Commercial lobster permits provided for
     7  by section 13-0329 of this title shall be issued as follows:
     8    for the period beginning January first, two thousand [twenty]  twenty-
     9  one,   through   December   thirty-first,   two   thousand  [twenty-one]
    10  twenty-two, only persons who were issued a commercial lobster permit  in
    11  the previous year shall be eligible to be issued such permit.
    12    3.  Commercial  crab  permits. Commercial crab permits provided for by
    13  section 13-0331 of this title shall be issued as follows:
    14    a. for the period  beginning  January  first,  two  thousand  eighteen
    15  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-two, the
    16  number  of  resident commercial crab permits and the number of non-resi-
    17  dent commercial crab permits  shall  not  exceed  the  following  annual
    18  limits:
    19    (i)  for two thousand eighteen, the number of permits shall be limited
    20  to the number of permits issued in two thousand  seventeen,  plus  fifty
    21  percent  of  any  difference between the number of permits issued in two
    22  thousand seventeen and five hundred sixty-three;
    23    (ii) for two thousand nineteen, the number of permits shall be limited
    24  to the number of permits established in subparagraph (i) of  this  para-
    25  graph;
    26    (iii)  for two thousand twenty, the number of permits shall be limited
    27  to the number of permits established in subparagraph (i) of  this  para-
    28  graph; [and]
    29    (iv)  for  two  thousand  twenty-one,  the number of licenses shall be
    30  limited to the number of licenses established  in  subparagraph  (i)  of
    31  this paragraph; and
    32    (v)  for  two  thousand  twenty-two,  the  number of licenses shall be
    33  limited to the number of licenses established  in  subparagraph  (i)  of
    34  this paragraph.
    35    b. for the period beginning January first, two thousand [twenty] twen-
    36  ty-one  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-
    37  two, persons who were issued a commercial crab permit  in  the  previous
    38  year shall be eligible to be issued such permit.
    39    c. for the period beginning January first, two thousand [twenty] twen-
    40  ty-one  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-
    41  two, the department shall issue commercial crab permits to  persons  who
    42  were not issued such permit in the previous year provided that the total
    43  number  of  such  permits  issued  to  such  persons does not exceed the
    44  difference between the number of permits established in paragraph  a  of
    45  this subdivision and the number of such permits issued pursuant to para-
    46  graph b of this subdivision, subject to the following:
    47    (i)  permits  shall  be  issued in the order in which the applications
    48  were received, except that where multiple applications are  received  by
    49  the  department  on the same day, applicants for whom the department has
    50  received notice of successful completion of an  apprenticeship  pursuant
    51  to  subdivision seven of this section shall be considered by the depart-
    52  ment prior to other applicants;
    53    (ii) permits may be issued to individuals only;
    54    (iii) permits shall be issued to applicants who are sixteen  years  of
    55  age or older at the time of the application; and

        S. 6532--A                          8
 
     1    (iv)  permits  shall  be  issued  only to persons who demonstrate in a
     2  manner acceptable to the department that they received an average of  at
     3  least  fifteen  thousand  dollars of income over three consecutive years
     4  from commercial fishing or fishing,  or  who  successfully  complete  an
     5  apprenticeship pursuant to subdivision seven of this section. As used in
     6  this  subparagraph,  "commercial  fishing"  means the taking and sale of
     7  marine resources including fish, shellfish, crustacea  or  other  marine
     8  biota  and  "fishing"  means  commercial  fishing  and  carrying fishing
     9  passengers for hire. Individuals who wish to  qualify  based  on  income
    10  from  "fishing"  must hold a valid marine and coastal district party and
    11  charter boat license. No more than ten percent  of  the  permits  issued
    12  each  year  based on income eligibility pursuant to this paragraph shall
    13  be issued to applicants who qualify based upon income derived from oper-
    14  ation of or employment by a party or charter boat.
    15    4. Commercial whelk or  conch  licenses.  Commercial  whelk  or  conch
    16  licenses  provided  for by section 13-0330 of this title shall be issued
    17  as follows:
    18    a. for the period  beginning  January  first,  two  thousand  eighteen
    19  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-two, the
    20  number  of resident commercial whelk or conch licenses and the number of
    21  non-resident commercial whelk or conch licenses  shall  not  exceed  the
    22  following annual limits:
    23    (i) for two thousand eighteen, the number of licenses shall be limited
    24  to  the  number  of licenses issued in two thousand seventeen plus fifty
    25  percent of any difference between the number of licenses issued  in  two
    26  thousand seventeen and two hundred fifty-two;
    27    (ii) for two thousand nineteen, the number of licenses shall be limit-
    28  ed  to  the  number  of licenses established in subparagraph (i) of this
    29  paragraph;
    30    (iii) for two thousand twenty, the number of licenses shall be limited
    31  to the number of licenses established in subparagraph (i) of this  para-
    32  graph; [and]
    33    (iv)  for  two  thousand  twenty-one,  the number of licenses shall be
    34  limited to the number of licenses established  in  subparagraph  (i)  of
    35  this paragraph; and
    36    (v)  for  two  thousand  twenty-two,  the  number of licenses shall be
    37  limited to the number of licenses established  in  subparagraph  (i)  of
    38  this paragraph.
    39    b. for the period beginning January first, two thousand [twenty] twen-
    40  ty-one  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-
    41  two, persons who were issued a commercial whelk or conch license in  the
    42  previous year shall be eligible to be issued such license.
    43    c. for the period beginning January first, two thousand [twenty] twen-
    44  ty-one  through December thirty-first, two thousand [twenty-one] twenty-
    45  two, persons who were not issued a commercial whelk or conch license  in
    46  the  previous  year shall be eligible to be issued such license provided
    47  that the total number of such licenses issued to such persons shall  not
    48  exceed  the  difference  between  the  number of licenses established in
    49  paragraph a of this subdivision and the number of such  licenses  issued
    50  pursuant to paragraph b of this subdivision, subject to the following:
    51    (i)  licenses  shall  be issued in the order in which the applications
    52  were received, except that where multiple applications are  received  by
    53  the  department  on the same day, applicants for whom the department has
    54  received notice of successful completion of an  apprenticeship  pursuant
    55  to  subdivision seven of this section shall be considered by the depart-
    56  ment prior to other applicants;

        S. 6532--A                          9
 
     1    (ii) licenses may be issued to individuals only;
     2    (iii)  licenses shall be issued to applicants who are sixteen years of
     3  age or older at the time of the application; and
     4    (iv) licenses shall be issued only to persons  who  demonstrate  in  a
     5  manner  acceptable to the department that they received an average of at
     6  least fifteen thousand dollars of income over  three  consecutive  years
     7  from  commercial  fishing  or  fishing,  or who successfully complete an
     8  apprenticeship pursuant to subdivision seven of this section. As used in
     9  this subparagraph, "commercial fishing" means the  taking  and  sale  of
    10  marine  resources  including  fish, shellfish, crustacea or other marine
    11  biota and  "fishing"  means  commercial  fishing  and  carrying  fishing
    12  passengers  for  hire.  Individuals  who wish to qualify based on income
    13  from "fishing" must hold a valid marine and coastal district  party  and
    14  charter  boat  license.  No more than ten percent of the licenses issued
    15  each year pursuant to this paragraph shall be issued to  applicants  who
    16  qualify  based  upon income derived from operation of or employment by a
    17  party or charter boat.
    18    5. Marine and coastal district party and charter boat licenses. Marine
    19  and coastal district party and charter boat  licenses  provided  for  by
    20  section  13-0336  of  this title shall be issued as follows, except that
    21  this subdivision shall not apply to the owner or  operator  of  a  party
    22  boat  or  charter  boat  whose vessel is classified by the United States
    23  Coast Guard as an Inspected Passenger Vessel and which  is  licensed  to
    24  carry more than six passengers:
    25    a. for the years two thousand [twenty] twenty-one through two thousand
    26  [twenty-one]  twenty-two,  the  annual  number  of  marine  and  coastal
    27  district party and charter boat licenses issued shall  not  exceed  five
    28  hundred seventeen.
    29    b. for the years two thousand [twenty] twenty-one through two thousand
    30  [twenty-one]  twenty-two,  persons  who were issued a marine and coastal
    31  district party and charter boat license in the previous  year  shall  be
    32  eligible to be issued such license.
    33    c. for the years two thousand [twenty] twenty-one through two thousand
    34  [twenty-one]  twenty-two,  the department shall issue marine and coastal
    35  district party and charter boat licenses to persons who were not  issued
    36  such  license  in  the  previous year, provided that the total number of
    37  licenses issued does not exceed five hundred seventeen, subject  to  the
    38  following:
    39    (i)  licenses  shall  be issued in the order in which the applications
    40  were received;
    41    (ii) licenses shall be issued only to persons who hold an  Uninspected
    42  Passenger Vessel license issued by the United States Coast Guard.
    43    §  4.  If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section or part of this act
    44  shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be  invalid,
    45  such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder ther-
    46  eof,  but  shall  be  confined in its operation to the clause, sentence,
    47  paragraph, section or part thereof directly involved in the  controversy
    48  in which such judgment shall have been rendered.
    49    §  5. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that the amend-
    50  ments to subdivision 10 of section 13-0302 of the environmental  conser-
    51  vation  law  made by section two of this act shall not affect the repeal
    52  of such subdivision and shall be deemed repealed therewith; and provided
    53  that the amendments to section 13-0328 of the environmental conservation
    54  law made by section three of this act shall  take  effect  December  31,
    55  2021.
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