Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James have announced an agreement aimed at improving the process for protecting open spaces throughout New York State. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) sets out new procedures to make legal and administrative reviews more efficient for conservation projects, particularly those involving land acquisitions and easements.
“Land conservation is one of the primary tools we can use to protect our natural resources,” Governor Hochul said. “At a time when Washington Republicans have launched a full-on assault on the environment, this agreement exemplifies my commitment, and that of Attorney General James and DEC, to advancing critical land acquisitions to ensure New Yorkers have increased and equitable public access to lands, forests and waterways, while still ensuring protective oversight. Together, we will continue to protect our natural resources and support our staff responsible for protecting State lands.”
Attorney General Letitia James stated, “The Office of the Attorney General is proud to work with Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to protect our state’s natural resources and help New York meet its conservation goals long into the future. As the federal government continues to shrink from its responsibility to protect some of our most precious resources, it is critically important that New York secure the ecological balance needed to keep us prosperous and healthy for generations to come.”
The MOA introduces measures such as using commercial title insurance in certain cases. This step is intended to reduce delays by simplifying title verification processes during land purchases or securing easements. The approach aligns New York with practices in other states, potentially making transactions faster for both state agencies like the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and partners such as land trusts.
Amanda Lefton, Commissioner of DEC, said: “Protecting our natural resources can help fight climate change, reduce risk from flooding, cool our communities, and ensure richness of our ecosystems for future generations. I applaud Governor Hochul and Attorney General James for their leadership in providing a new tool for DEC to more efficiently secure open spaces to enhance the quality of life for all New Yorkers. The process changes outlined in the MOA will streamline the land acquisition process and will move projects quickly to help meet the State’s conservation goals.”
The agreement also clarifies responsibilities between DEC and OAG regarding conservation projects. It establishes early legal review protocols for high-priority projects and encourages better coordination among state agencies and conservation partners.
State Senator Peter Harckham commented: “This agreement announced by Governor Hochul and Attorney General James to streamline the process for land and natural resource conservation will allow the DEC to release state funding to break the backlog of acquisitions and further our 30×30 open space law, which will benefit New York residents for generations to come. I am thankful that our state’s leaders are working cooperatively toward these protections.”
State Senator Rachel May added: “I am deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and the leadership at OAG and DEC for the work they have done to reach this agreement on the use of title insurance in acquiring and conserving lands in our state. I am also grateful to Senate Leadership for its willingness to advance my legislation, S4403, that worked to advance the same goal. Land trusts play a critical role in protecting and preserving conservation lands, and they have struggled in recent years when transactions have dragged on unnecessarily. Having procedures in place to expedite land acquisition will help them maximize their resources and help New York get much closer to its ‘30 by 30’ conservation goals. More than that, having a strong, structured working relationship between OAG and DEC on conservation matters can only be a good thing for the future of our state lands.”
Assemblymember Deborah Glick said: “The time was well spent developing a process that will help the state and land trusts carry out land acquisitions more efficiently. While the budget is not typically the best venue for detailed policy discussions, this measure allows both the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Attorney General’s Office to review various aspects of the land acquisition process, whether complex or straightforward. I want to thank Governor Hochul and Attorney General James for their hard work and commitment to improving this process.”
Assemblymember Dana Levenberg stated: “It is critically important that we make it easier for the state to acquire land so that we can add to our open space assets and protect our environment. I was proud to sponsor legislation to that end with my colleague, Senator Rachel May. While that legislation did not move forward, I am pleased that it raised the salience of this issue, leading Governor Hochul, the Office of the Attorney General, and Department of Environmental Conservation to come to this agreement. This memorandum is another important step forward into a greener future for New York.”
Bill Ulfelder from The Nature Conservancy noted: “The Nature Conservancy applauds Governor Hochul and Attorney General James for establishing a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding among the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Environmental Conservation…This policy aligns New York’s land conservation practices with other state policies…With this new policy…New York can deploy critical conservation programs including…the 2022 Clean Water, Clean Air & Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act…”
Tom Duffus from The Conservation Fund said: “The Conservation Fund applauds Governor Hochul…the OAG…and DEC…for stepping up…to deliver faster results…so important…to…the Open Space Plan…and…the Clean Water…Bond Act in 2022…”
Ned Sullivan from Scenic Hudson commented: “…this reform will save years of delay…and streamline countless transactions between…the state…and conservation partners—delivering faster…land protection…”
Tamar Renaud from Trust For Public Land stated: “Trust For Public Land commends Governor Hochul…and [others]…for significantly streamlining land acquisition processes so…land trusts…can effectively protect land…”
Erik Kulleseid from Open Space Institute added: “…it is a credit…that we need smart,…sustainable conservation policies…to meet challenges…of climate change…and make nature more welcoming…”
Accordingly with information provided by environmental authorities in New York State’s 2025-26 budget cycle—nearly five million acres have been preserved through fee or easement agreements under guidance such as the Open Space Conservation Plan. Recent increases brought funding under the Environmental Protection Fund up to $425 million—a historic high—which supports efforts ranging from climate mitigation initiatives to recreational opportunities statewide.
New York has also set targets aligned with national trends by committing through its 30×30 initiative to conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.
