NY S06728

Establishes the Great Swamp Reserve in Dutchess and Putnam counties to protect a wetland ecosystem encompassing over 6,000 acres containing two critical watersheds (Swamp River and East Branch Croton River) and one of the state's greatest concentrations of endangered, threatened, and special concern species

Creates a 13-member Great Swamp Reserve Commission with appointments from the governor (2), Putnam County (2), Dutchess County (2), and town supervisors from Dover, Pawling, Patterson, and Southeast, plus state agency ex-officio members

Requires the Department of Environmental Conservation to prepare a Great Swamp protection land use and management plan within 12 months, including public hearings and town board review, with formal adoption contingent on ratification by all four affected towns

Provides that publicly owned land dedicated to the Great Swamp Preserve cannot be alienated except by law enacted in two successive legislative sessions, while private land can only be managed by the commission through voluntary dedication or written agreement

Preserves existing hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational activities, and maintains local government police, planning, and zoning powers within the reserve area