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Administrative History

Chapter 569 of the Laws of 1916 provided for issuing $10 million in bonds, upon voter approval, for land acquisition for state parks. Land could be acquired by "purchase, condemnation or by entry and appropriation with submission to the court of claims or supreme court for determination and award of damages for such entry and appropriation". Money was paid for land acquired by contract only upon the warrant and audit of the Comptroller, after submission of vouchers approved by the Conservation Commission and the Commissioners of the Land Office, accompanied by certification of the Attorney General approving title to and conveyance of the land purchased. The Commissioners of the Land Office were responsible for filing written statements of consent with county clerks on any lands taken.

Chapter 146 of the Laws of 1917 carried out the provisions of the earlier law, by making an appropriation of $2.5 million in bonds issued in accordance with that law. The appropriations were to acquire land for state park purposes within the forest preserve counties, relating to lands within or adjacent to the Adirondack and Catskill parks. The law provided that upon receipt of a written statement from the Conservation Commission, approved by the Commissioners of the Land Office, of the amount required, the Comptroller could issue bonds to the amount of the estimate. The approval of the estimate by the Commissioners of the Land Office was to be by resolution and attached to the estimate.