NY A00563

Establishes a forestry stewardship and habitat conservation tax credit for owners of land subject to agreements with the Department of Environmental Conservation

Credit allows 25 percent of allowable school district, county, town, and real property taxes on eligible land, capped at $10,000 per year

Eligible tracts must be at least 25 contiguous acres inspected and determined by DEC to be valuable wildlife/fish habitat or suitable for wildlife-related recreation

Requires written agreements between DEC and landowners for minimum 5-year commitments to either habitat conservation plans or forest certification programs (such as Forest Stewardship Council or Sustainable Forestry Initiative)

Agreements must be recorded in county offices and bind successors in interest; excess credits beyond annual tax liability are treated as overpayments without interest