§ 31.01 Definitions. Whenever used in this title, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context, the terms listed below shall have the following meanings:

1. "Advisory council" shall mean the state heritage areas advisory council established under article thirty-three of this title.

2. "Heritage area" shall mean a definable urban or regional area of public and private uses ranging in size from a portion of a municipality to a regional area with a special coherence, such area being distinguished by physical and cultural resources (natural and/or man made including waterways, architecture, or artifacts reflecting a period of style or cultural heritage) which play a vital role in the life of the community and/or region and contribute through interpretive, educational and recreational use to the public. A heritage area may include traditional parks (pleasure grounds set apart for recreation of the public) and historic places or property on the national or state register of historic places but the term heritage area shall not be deemed to mean a park or historic place as those terms are used in other provisions of law including those relating to alienation of park land and regulation of public or private activities. Such other provisions of law shall continue to apply to the specific parks and historic places within a heritage area. The term heritage area shall be deemed to mean and include areas that have been previously designated as urban cultural parks and heritage corridors or other similar names applied to areas of special concern fitting the definition of heritage area in this subdivision.

3. "Management plan" or "plan" shall mean a document prepared in conformance with the provisions of section 35.05 of this title which includes, but is not limited to, a comprehensive statement in words, maps, illustrations, or other media of communication, setting forth objectives, policies, and standards to guide public and private uses for the preservation, interpretation, development, and use of cultural, historic, natural, and architectural resources of a heritage area.

4. "State designated heritage area" shall mean a heritage area designated in section 35.03 of this title for its statewide significance.

5. "State agency" shall mean any state department, agency, board or commission of the state, or a public benefit corporation or public authority at least one of whose members is appointed by the governor.

6. "System" means the New York system of heritage areas established pursuant to section 35.01 of this title.