The New York State Senate has passed a measure that would create a land bank for the Adirondack and Catskills.
The creation of a 750 acre land bank would require passage of a state constitutional amendment.
The intent is to enable small projects in the Adirondacks and Catskills - such as cemetery upgrades, highway and bridge improvements, and bicycle pathways - to proceed without the need for a statewide vote to amend the constitution each time, which takes years.
Currently such projects fall under Article 14 of the constitution which protects Forest Preserve lands.