A.9190 (Sweeney, et al.)
S.6216a (Little)

Summary
This bill is a Concurrent Resolution of the Senate and Assembly that proposes to amend section 1 of article 14 of the state constitution, in order to allow National Grid to construct a 46kV power line along State Route 56 in St. Lawrence County on forest preserve lands.  By using forest preserve lands along an existing road right of way the amount of disturbed land will be minimized and new lands will be added to the forest preserve.

Explanation
The proposed constitutional amendment would facilitate the transfer of approximately 10 acres of forest preserve lands to National Grid in exchange for ten acres to be added to the forest preserve elsewhere in St. Lawrence County. A constitutional amendment is required to allow forest preserve lands to be leased, sold, or exchanged.

This land swap is needed to allow National Grid to construct a 46 kV power transmission line along State Route 56 in St. Lawrence County.  The lands to be acquired by National Grid are adjacent to the existing right of way for the county road and would add only slightly to the width of this existing right of way. 

If the constitution is not amended in order to allow this transfer of lands National Grid has already received approval for an alternative plan that would allow them to construct their power line in a manner that is far more disturbing to the Adirondack ecosystem. This alternative plan would cut a 70-foot wide swath through 6 miles of forested lands that contain numerous sensitive and locally significant areas.  While the alternative plan would not cut through forest preserve lands, it would be more disruptive to forested areas. 

The preferred option is to slightly enlarge the existing right of way for the county road to allow construction of the power line. 

 

Environmental Advocates of New York supports this bill.