AGENCY TESTIMONY
DEP's relationship with watershed communities
0:37:14
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88 sec
The commissioner highlights DEP's positive relationship with watershed communities and the agency's contributions to the local economy and quality of life.
- DEP is held in high esteem by watershed residents, as shown by a recent Sienna poll
- Residents appreciate DEP's recreational land use policies and the benefits of the DEP Police
- DEP is the largest taxpayer in West of Hudson watershed counties and the second-largest in Westchester
- DEP paid $165 million in taxes upstate last year
- The agency works to incorporate public amenities into capital projects when possible
Rohit T Aggarwala
0:37:14
I'm pleased to say that in fact, we are held in high esteem by the residents of the watershed.
0:37:18
In fact, we undertook a Sienna poll last year to understand how watershed residents west of the Hudson viewed DEP.
0:37:25
And we were raided very highly.
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In particular, watershed residents appreciate that DEP makes so much of our lands available for recreation, which is a cornerstone of the quality of life in the area and a key aspect of its tourism and second home economy.
0:37:39
They also also appreciate the benefits the DEP police bring.
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It was less widely understood that despite being a government entity, DEP pays taxes on its property in the watershed.
0:37:52
In fact, We are the largest taxpayer in all of the West of Hudson watershed Counties and the 2nd largest taxpayer in Westchester.
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In many school districts, DEP actually pays a majority of the school systems revenues.
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All told, we paid $165,000,000 in taxes upstate last year.
0:38:14
More broadly, we have to be sensitive to the concerns of watershed residents who are often concerned that land acquisition and land use restrictions can hinder economic We incorporate public amenities into capital work when we can, just like we would do around the city.
0:38:28
For example, we recently broke ground on an infrastructure project that will include a new parking lot for a local school.
0:38:35
Going forward, we need to ensure that we are always on the lookout for ways that our operations can also create benefits for our watershed neighbors.
