§ 11-2050 — Establishment of the marine mammal and sea turtle protection area

§ 11-2050. Establishment of the marine mammal and sea turtle protection\n area.\n 1. There shall be created the marine mammal and sea turtle protection\narea consisting of the waters in the area from mean high water seaward\nfifteen hundred feet, except further seaward in shallow areas to the\noutermost limit of waters fifteen feet in depth, around Plum Island,\nGreat Gull Island and Little Gull Island. Such protection area may also\nbe designated as a New York state bird conservation area pursuant to\nsection 11-2001 of this article.\n 2. For purposes of this title the marine mammal and sea turtle\nprotection area shall mean:\n (a) a site providing habitat to species including:\n (i) harbor seals (Phoca vitulina);\n (ii) harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena);\n (iii) gray seals (Halichoerus grypus); and\n (iv) sea turtle species including kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii),\ngreen turtles (Chelonia mydas) and leatherback (Dermochelys coreacia);\n (b) presence of a state-designated natural protective feature; and\n (c) location within the boundaries of two estuaries of national\nsignificance.\n 3. The department is authorized to promulgate regulations to prevent\nthe harassment and for the protection of marine mammals and sea turtles\nwithin the marine mammal and sea turtle protection area.\n