PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Victoria Leung, Staff Attorney at Riverkeeper
2:38:29
·
147 sec
Victoria Leung from Riverkeeper testified in support of Intro 816 and Resolution 83, emphasizing the organization's opposition to the rental payment charged to the Water Board. She highlighted the importance of transparency in water infrastructure funding and the need for funds to be used for critical projects.
- Riverkeeper supports notifications to inform ratepayers about where their money is going
- The organization believes pressure from the public could lead to changes in the rental payment system
- Leung mentioned the need for clarity in the legislation's language regarding the city's request
Victoria Leung
2:38:29
Hi.
2:38:29
My name is Victoria Larry.
2:38:30
I'm from Riverkeeper.
2:38:32
Thank you so much to our person general and, like, committee for your oversight of the New York City water supply.
2:38:41
We really appreciate this opportunity to give testimony.
2:38:45
Riverkeeper is an organization that's dedicated to protection of the Hudson.
James F. Gennaro
2:38:48
Yeah.
2:38:48
Speak really close to the mic.
Victoria Leung
2:38:51
Riverkeeper is an organization dedicated to protection of and river from Source to Sea and safeguarding drinking water.
2:38:58
We are also a signatory of the 1997 New York City watershed memorandum agreement.
2:39:05
So I'll keep this brief.
2:39:06
I'll start.
2:39:07
We're in full support of intro 816 and Resolution 83.
2:39:13
River keeper and also the storm water.
2:39:16
Infrastructure matters, swim coalition.
2:39:18
We have been against the rental payment for all long, and we do not believe that it is necessary in the between fiscal years 2017 2023, the rental payment was waived for 5 the 7 years.
2:39:41
And there's a rate increase of 8.5% this year.
2:39:47
So we're in full support of the notifications, so the right payers know exactly where their money is going in that prep.
2:39:54
Department pressure can lead to change of the rental payment.
2:39:58
In addition, there as we heard earlier from DP, there are number of infrastructure projects that are needed to keep our water system them in good shape.
2:40:10
So it is critical that this money that is being collected is being used for water infrastructure purposes.
2:40:18
For example, the current Delaware Alberta shutdown that's going on.
2:40:25
However, we'll offer one comment on the proposal.
2:40:30
There could be some clarity on the language of the legislation regarding the city's request.
James F. Gennaro
2:40:39
No.
2:40:39
I'm not gonna do.
2:40:40
I'm gonna I'm I'm gonna stop you there, and I'll come back to you on on on questions.
2:40:44
Okay?
2:40:45
So you can finish your thought.
2:40:46
I wanna come back to you on questions.
2:40:48
Alright?
2:40:49
The panel's gonna stay until everybody's done.
2:40:51
Bill, you're up.
2:40:52
And again, I'm gonna hold everyone to the 2 minutes pretty much, then I'll come back with questions.
