New York State Landmark Agreement Advances Land Conservation
December 5, 2025
By Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Earlier this month, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James announced a landmark agreement that will streamline the process for review of conservation projects with the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation, by allowing the use of title insurance when the State is acquiring fee and easement interests in real property.
This is tremendous news for the land trust community, where many organizations, including Peconic Land Trust, pre-acquire lands under threat from development and then wait years for the State’s acquisition process to be completed. With the AG's office accepting title insurance going forward, the time for land trusts to close with the State on conservation initiatives will be reduced. This change will free up funding that land trusts can use to pursue additional conservation opportunities in concert with New York State and other public partners.
“Protecting our natural resources can help fight climate change, reduce risk from flooding, cool our communities, and ensure the 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,” said NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton in the State's press release.
“The Peconic Land Trust joins the land trust community in thanking Governor Hochul and Attorney General James for this important agreement. As we move forward to protect the land we know and love, the State remains an important partner. This new agreement is a significant step forward in making the process more efficient and enabling all partners to do the critical conservation work we need to provide for clean drinking water, habitat for plants and wildlife, and places to explore,” said Trust President John v.H. Halsey.
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Yvette DeBow-Salsedo
Vice President
ydebow@peconiclandtrust.org