NY State legislature approves 1st passage of Township 40 constitutional amendment
A proposed state constitutional amendment that would settle a century-old title dispute in the Adirondacks won passage in the State Assembly late Wednesday following Senate passage Tuesday, according to sponsors Senator Betty Little and Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward. The concurrent resolution will need to be approved again next year by a newly elected State Legislature before it can be placed on the ballot for statewide approval in a general election, likely in November 2013.
“The proposed amendment will settle a very lengthy and controversial dispute between the State of New York and private property owners in Raquette Lake,” Little said.
“Doing so avoids costly litigation and benefits the public with improved Adirondack Park recreational access,” she continued.“A lot of work has gone into this, particularly by DEC, numerous environmental organizations and local officials, all to be applauded. Today’s passage is a very encouraging first step.” Assemblywoman Sayward agreed that the amendment is necessary.
“[It] will authorize the settlement of a 100-year-old competing claims of title between New York State and private parties in Raquette Lake in Hamilton County. The people, the State and the Forest Preserve will benefit from this first passage,” she said.
In addition to the resolution passing the Legislature again next year, separate legislation will need to pass the Senate and Assembly to establish the process of resolving claims of title. Provisions of that legislation would list the more than 200 parcels of land in Township 40 in Raquette Lake in Hamilton County.
It would allow those with disputed titles to opt in or opt out of the settlement process.
It would also require a payment from occupants which would be used toward purchase of replacement land of greater benefit to be added to the Adirondack Park.
The replacement land would ensure that the overall integrity of the Park is not only diminished but improved and would be subject to State legislative approval.
