Planes/Helicopters

Cayuga County Parks & Trails

Planning & Community Development Department

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) Manager.  

Town of Lansing

Parks and Recreation

The local legislative body of a city, county, village or town, by resolution, may determine to establish, construct, equip, maintain and operate for such county, city, village or town an airport or landing field for the use of aeroplanes and other aircraft. (N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law § 350). The local legislative body of a city, county, village or town, by resolution, may determine to establish, construct, equip, maintain and operate for such county, city, village or town an airport or landing field for the use of aeroplanes and other aircraft. (N.Y. Gen. Mun. Law § 350).

Cayuga County does not own or operate an airport. Local Law No. 1 of 2007 related to Park, Trails, and Recreation Areas prohibits aviation activities on park properties except when undertaken pursuant to a permit. This prohibition applies to the voluntary landing of any aircraft, balloon, or weight-carrying machine or device designed for flight in or navigation of the air other than an emergency. 

N/A

None Found. Finger Lakes Regional Airport is located in Seneca Falls, NY and is owned by Seneca County. 

Consider adopting a local law addressing AIS risks from airport operations.

ITH is publicly-owned by Tompkins County and located in the Town of Lansing, NY.  Chapter 87 of the County Code governs airport operations. "All Airport tenants and users shall obey all federal, state, and local environmental laws and shall be wholly responsible for costs associated with fines or clean-up of contamination brought about as a result of their actions, operations, and the activities of their employees, their guests, and invitees."

Consider adding provision to Chapter 87 or airport leases that addresses AIS risks from airport operations.

The Town of Lansing does not own or operate an airport. A provision of the town's Parks and Recreation Rules prohibits take off, landing or operation of "any aircraft in, upon, or within 1,000 feet of any park, except for genuine emergencies or for a forced landing caused by mechanical or structural failure of the aircraft.” (Chapter 190-45). 

N/A

Seaplanes

Cayuga County

Planning and Economic Development

Seneca County

Unknown

Tompkins County

Planning and Sustainability Department

New York is a home rule state. Every local government has the power to adopt and amend local laws not inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution or not inconsistent with any general law relating to its property, affairs or government. (Municipal Home Rule Law § 10). In 1981, the New York State Comptroller issued an opinion affirming the authority of towns to regulate the use of seaplanes, although some aspects of local regulation may be preempted on navigable lakes. (NYCPTR Opn No. 81-160). Definition of watercraft in state AIS prevention law does not exclude seaplanes. Watercraft is defined as "every motorized or non-motorized boat or vehicle capable of being used or operated as a means of transportation or recreation in or on water." (N.Y. Env’t Conserv. Law § 9-1710). State law prohibits any person from launching a watercraft "unless it can be demonstrated that reasonable precautions such as removal of any visible plant or animal matter, washing, draining or drying as defined by the department pursuant to rules and regulations, have been taken."

Pursuant to Local Law No. 6 (2013) to prevent the spread of AIS It is unlawful for any person to launch, haul, or attempt to enter or exit a watercraft from a water body with any plant or animal material visible to the eye in or attached to the watercraft. (Section 3). Watercraft is defined broadly to include any vehicle capable of being used or operated in or on water, which would included seaplanes.

Consider amending local AIS to require BMPs for seaplane operations.

None found.

Consider adopting a local AIS law similar to those of Tompkins and Cayuga counties.

It is unlawful for any person to launch, haul, or attempt to enter or exit a watercraft from a water body with any plant or animal material visible to the eye in or attached to the watercraft. (Section 119-4). Watercraft is defined broadly to include any vehicle capable of being used or operated in or on water, which would included seaplanes.

Consider amending local AIS to require BMPs for seaplane operations.

Stowaways

NYDEC regulations prohibit the possession, transport, importation, sale, purchase, and introduction of listed prohibited invasive species. (6 CRR-NY 575). No person shall buy, sell, or offer to buy or sell, or intentionally possess or transport zebra mussels except under a license or permit. (N.Y. Env’t Conserv. Law § 11-0507). New York State law requires watercraft operators to take "reasonable precautions," such as removal of any visible plant or animal matter, washing, draining or drying, before launching watercraft or floating docks. (N.Y. Env’t Conserv. Law § 9-1710) These statewide regulations apply to both private and public launches on public waterbodies within the state. Additional details regarding what constitutes "reasonable precautions" is set forth in DEC regulations at 6 N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs tit. 6, § 576.3. Local authority to act with respect to AIS prevention is preserved (N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs tit. 6, § 576.1). AIS spread prevention practices are also required when launching and retrieving watercraft at DEC boat launches and fishing sites. (N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs tit. 6, §§ 59.4 & 190.24). 

Pursuant to Local Law No. 6 (2013) to prevent the spread of AIS It is unlawful for any person to launch, haul, or attempt to enter or exit a watercraft from a water body with any plant or animal material visible to the eye in or attached to the watercraft. It is also unlawful to enter the County, or transport within the County, watercraft without first removing by hand any and all plant or animal, or parts thereof, visible to the human eye in, on, or attached to any part of the watercraft.  

Coordinate and provide support to the Watercraft Steward Program to increase outreach and improve compliance with local law.

None found.

Consider adopting a local AIS law similar to Cayuga and Tompkins Counties.

Under County Code Section 119-4, it is unlawful for any person to launch, haul, or attempt to enter or exit a watercraft from a water body with any plant or animal material visible to the eye in or attached to the watercraft. It is also unlawful to enter the County, or transport within the County, watercraft without first removing by hand any and all plant or animal, or parts thereof, visible to the human eye in, on, or attached to any part of the watercraft.  

Coordinate and provide support to the Watercraft Steward Program to increase outreach and improve compliance with local law.

Anglers

Sportfishing regulations are codified in Title 6, Part 1 of the N.Y. Administrative Code. The NYDEC has adopted regulations setting forth additional special fishing regulations for certain inland waters, including Cayuga Lake (See N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs tit. 6, § 10.3).

Senaca County

Unknown

Tompkins County

Planning and Sustainability Department

Local Law No. 1 of 2007 (Regulations for Control of Activities and Uses by the Public at Parks) states that fishing is allowed per NY state regulations in all areas of county parks, except designated swimming areas, boat slip areas, and other areas posted as no fishing areas. (Section 12(k)).

Consider amending park regulations to require angler BMPs to prevent the spread of AIS through fishing activities.

None found.

Consider adopting local law addressing AIS risks from fishing.

Fishing is prohibited in authorized swimming areas and in the marina. (Section 190-39). Each person who fishes in any Town park is required to obey all local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Must remove all fishing line fragments, lures, flies, and hooks from land and waters when the same have broken off or become disconnected from any rod, reel, hand line, tippet, or other device used for the capture of fish. The use of traps to catch fish, animals, frogs, or crustaceans in Town parks is prohibited. Fishingis permitted in Myers, Salt Point, and Ludlowville Parks. (Sections 190-49 to -51). 

Consider amending park regulations to require angler BMPs to prevent the spread of AIS through fishing activities.

Fishing is prohibited within park boundaries where posted, except that in Hubbard Road Park and JP Nicely West Falls Park, it is permitted to fish in season (Section 84-1(g)).

Consider amending park regulations to require angler BMPs to prevent the spread of AIS through fishing activities.

Fish escapees/releases

Tompkins County

Planning and Sustainability Department

Fish or fish eggs may not be placed into state waters without a permit. (N.Y. Env’t Conserv. Law § 11-0507). No person may intentionally liberate zebra musels into waters of the state. without a licenses or permit. NYDEC regulations prohibit liberating to state waters any of the specific non-native fish species listed that present a danger to the health and welfare of indigenous fish populations. (N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs tit. 6, § 180-9). A  fishing stock permit is required to release certified disease-free fish into freshwaters and no fish can be placed into waters unless a  fish health certification report has been provided. (N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 6, § 188.1). Personal use of baitfish is permitted provided the baitfish regulations are followed. 

Pursuant to Local Law No. 6 (2013) to prevent the spread of AIS, it is unlawful to introduce, throw, dump, deposit, place, allow or cause to be propagated, transplanted, introduced, thrown, dumped, deposited or placed in any water body, in whatever capacity and for whatever purpose, an aquatic invasive species.

None.

None found.

Consider adopting a local AIS law similar to Tompkins and Cayuga counties.

Under County Code Section 119-4, it is unlawful to introduce, throw, dump, deposit, place, allow or cause to be propagated, transplanted, introduced, thrown, dumped, deposited or placed in any water body, in whatever capacity and for whatever purpose, an aquatic invasive species.

None.

Cars, buses, trucks, ATVs, recreational boat trailers

NYDEC regulations prohibit the possession, transport, importation, sale, purchase, and introduction of listed prohibited invasive species. (N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs tit. 6, § 575). It is unlawful to buy, sell, or offer to buy or sell, or intentionally possess or transport zebra mussels except under a license or permit issued by the state. (N.Y. Env’t Conserv. Law § 11-0507).

None found.

Consider expanding local AIS law to address risks from vehicles and other land-based modes of transportation.

Chapter 162 of the County Code is titled "Vehicles and Traffic" but provisions contained therein only address airport parking and general parking regulations.

Consider expanding local AIS law to address risks from vehicles and other land-based modes of transportation.

Pet/Aquarium

Tompkins County

County Clerk

The importation, possession and sale of fish without license or permit is prohibited (N.Y. Env’t Conserv. Law § 11-1703). No permit is required to place fish or fish eggs in an aquarium (N.Y. Env’t Conserv. Law § 11-0507). A fish health certification report shall not be required for fish placed into an aquarium or possessed for purposes of placing such fish into an aquarium. (N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 6, § 188.2). The state may issue permits to individuals to collect or possess fish, wildlife, shellfish, crustacea, or aquatic insects for proppagation, banding, scientific, or exhibition purposes (N.Y. Env’t Conserv. Law §  11-0515). No person shall operate as a pet dealer unless such person holds a license issued by the state (N.Y. Agric. & Mkts. Law § 403). Pet dealers may be pet stores, pet brokers, breeders, and non-incorporated rescues. Scope of these provisions applies to care of animals, which is limited by definition to cats and dogs. 

None found.

Consider expanding local AIS law to address risks from pet and aquarium sales.

It is unlawful for any person to act as a "hawker, peddler or solicitor or to conduct a transient business" without a license from the County. (Section 127-2). This licensing requirement does not apply to merchants with an established place of business within the county or to farmers or truck gardners selling products of their own farms.

Consider expanding local AIS law to address risks from pet and aquarium sales.