New York Consolidated Laws, Environmental Conservation Law - ENV § 9-0717. Community forests

1. Power and authority.  A county, city, town, village, school district or any other political subdivision of the state, may acquire by purchase, or gift, or take over lands in its possession within the boundaries of the state and use the same for forestry purposes.  The governing board of a county, city, town or school district may appropriate money for the purchase of lands for the purposes herein provided, to establish forest plantations or for the care and management of forests.

2. Procedure.  Such boards may undertake such work at regular or special meetings by majority vote of such board after two weeks' public notice setting forth the fact that such plan is contemplated and that moneys are to be appropriated for such purposes.

3. Assistance and trees and shrubs.  The department may assist and advise such boards in its reforesting and wildlife habitat improvement work, and the department may furnish trees and shrubs for planting such publicly owned lands without charge provided they are planted in accordance with the instructions of the department.

4. Use.  Such governing board shall have full power and authority to acquire, maintain, manage and operate such forests, and sell the produce thereof, for the benefit of the inhabitants of its district.

5. Revenue.  The net income from such lands shall be paid into the general fund of such municipal division and shall be used only upon order of its governing board.