New York - Oppose Bill S4408 /A10483A- It Would Industrialize our Protected Forests

New York lawmakers are considering a bill (Senate Bill S4408A/Assembly Bill A10483A) that would open our state's Reforestation Areas: forests conserved for wildlife, clean water, timber, and public recreation--to large-scale renewable energy transmission and distribution.

While supporting clean energy is essential, this proposal threatens to fragment critical habitat, undermine public access for hunting and fishing, and set a dangerous precedent for developing other categories of conserved public land.

The bill's promise that projects "won't interfere" the operation of such reforestation areas for the purposes for which they were acquired there is no mention of how this transmission and distribution will be sited and if it will require the use of pre-existing power right-a-ways on or near these reforestation lands.

Take action now to urge your legislators to oppose S4408A/A10483A and advocate for smarter renewable energy transmission and distribution and NOT THROUGH our public forests.