PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Michelle Luebke, Representative of SWIM Coalition, on Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan
2:22:00
·
127 sec
Michelle Luebke, representing the SWIM Coalition, testified in support of a comprehensive citywide stormwater plan that prioritizes natural and nature-based solutions, addressing historic injustices, and updating existing plans with climate change-informed projections. She emphasized the urgency of adapting New York City's water infrastructure to meet current challenges.
- Advocated for expediting CSO long-term control plans, stormwater management plans, and green infrastructure plans
- Called for a stormwater rate restructure to fund stormwater-related projects
- Highlighted the need for updated rainfall projections, as current plans use data from 2008
Michelle Luebke
2:22:00
Thank you to the committee for providing the opportunity to deliver public testimony on behalf of the SWIM Coalition, asking for consideration of key issues while deliberating the need for city council oversight of urban stormwater flooding, combined sewer overflows, and green infrastructure in New York City through a comprehensive stormwater plan.
2:22:18
Stormwater Infrastructure Matters, SWIM, Coalition, is a group of 70 organizations dedicated to ensuring the mandate to the Clean Water Act, swimmable and fishable waters in New York City through sustainable stormwater management practices, including both green and gray infrastructure.
2:22:34
SWIM Coalition member organizations endorse a truly sustainable view of watershed management, one that restores ecological systems, creates local economic opportunities, and equitably distributes the numerous benefits of green infrastructure.
2:22:48
The next decade is critical in terms of how we address our stormwater and climate change related challenges in New York City.
2:22:55
From storms that caused catastrophic flooding to current unprecedented and historic drought conditions, New York City's water infrastructure has become more burdened than ever.
2:23:04
The time to adapt is now.
2:23:06
Swim Coalition supports a comprehensive citywide stormwater plan that prioritizes natural and nature based solutions and prioritizes rectifying historic injustices by allocating resources to historically disadvantaged communities.
2:23:20
Unless the proposed comprehensive stormwater management plan supersedes all other plans with additional directives and updated projections using climate change informed future rainfall levels.
2:23:33
What is needed is to expedite the CSO long term control plans, stormwater management plans, and green infrastructure plan.
2:23:40
These existing plans are slated to be completed by 2030 to 2042 using rainfall projections from 2,008.
2:23:49
Additionally, we continue to strongly advocate for a stormwater rate restructure to fund stormwater related projects, which will appropriately value the cost of stormwater to the city.
2:23:59
We are submitting a more extensive written testimony with key concerns and requests for clarifications on intro 2849.
2:24:06
Thank you for your time.
