New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 25-0201. Inventory of tidal wetlands

1. The commissioner shall as soon as practicable make an inventory of all tidal wetlands in the state of New York. This inventory, and any restrictive orders issued pursuant to section 25-0302 of this act, shall comprise a part of the statewide environmental plan as provided for in section 3-0303 of the environmental conservation law.

2. The inventory shall set forth the boundaries of such wetlands using such photographic and cartographic standards and techniques as the commissioner may deem reasonable and appropriate in order to provide clear and accurate maps of the tidal wetlands of the state for the purpose of effectuating the policies and provisions of this act.  1 Said boundaries shall generally delineate all tidal wetlands in the state as defined in section 25-0101 of this act. At least sixty days prior to the commencement of the inventory the commissioner shall file with the secretary of state a detailed description of the technical methods and requirements to be utilized in compiling the inventory, and he shall afford the public an opportunity to submit written comments thereon.

3. Upon completion of a tentative tidal wetlands boundary map for a particular area, the commissioner or his designated hearing officer shall hold a public hearing in order to afford an opportunity for any person to propose additions or deletions from such map. The commissioner shall give notice of such hearing to each owner of record of all lands designated as such wetland as shown on such maps, and also to the chief administrative officer of each municipality within whose boundary any such wetland or portion thereof is located, by certified mail, return receipt requested, not less than thirty days prior to the date set for such hearing. The commissioner shall also cause notice of such hearing to be published at least once, not more than thirty days nor fewer than ten days before the date set for such hearing, in at least two newspapers having a general circulation in the area where such wetlands are located.

4. After considering the testimony given at such hearing and any other facts which may be deemed pertinent and after considering the rights of affected property owners and the policy and purposes of this act, the commissioner shall establish by order the final bounds of each such wetland. A copy of the order, together with a copy of the map depicting such final boundary lines, shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the county in which each such wetland is located. The commissioner shall simultaneously give notice of such order to each owner of all lands designated as such wetlands by mailing a copy of such order to such owner. The commissioner shall also simultaneously give notice of such order by certified mail to the chief administrative officer of each municipality within whose boundary any such wetland or portion thereof is located. The commissioner shall also cause a copy of such order to be published in at least two newspapers having a general circulation in the area where such wetlands are located.

5. Any person aggrieved by such order may seek judicial review pursuant to article seventy-eight of the civil practice law and rules in the supreme court for the county in which the tidal wetlands are located, within thirty days after the date of the filing of the order with the clerk of the county in which such wetlands are located.

6. The commissioner shall supervise the maintenance of such boundary maps, which shall be available to the public for inspection and examination. The statewide inventory shall be readjusted from time to time as may be necessary to reflect such natural changes as have occurred through erosion, accretion, and otherwise and also to reflect such other changes as have occurred as a result of the granting of permits pursuant to section 25-0403 of this act.