NY A10721

Proposes constitutional amendment allowing up to 250 acres of forest preserve land to be used for a health and safety land account for towns, villages, and counties to address bridge hazards, dangerous curves, grades, and highway relocation on roads in existence as of January 1, 2015.

Requires the state to acquire 250 acres of replacement land for the forest preserve as a condition of creating the health and safety land account, subject to legislative approval.

Permits public utility lines (electric, telephone, broadband, water, sewer) and bicycle paths to be buried, co-located, or constructed within the rights-of-way of existing state, county, and town highways that traverse forest preserve land, with all necessary permits required.

Prohibits construction of new intrastate natural gas or oil pipelines on forest preserve land unless they received all necessary state and local permits by June 1, 2016.

Requires minimization of tree and vegetation removal for any utility co-location, burial, maintenance, or construction activities.