PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Daniel Abram, Director of Policy at New Yorkers for Parks, on Preventing Brush Fires in NYC Parks
1:43:14
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Daniel Abram from New Yorkers for Parks testified on the urgent need to prevent and mitigate brush fires in NYC parks. He highlighted the underfunding of the Parks Department's Natural Resources Group and its impact on fire prevention and response capabilities.
- Advocated for $5 million in funding to rehire 76 critical staff for the Natural Resources Group
- Urged investment of $20.5 million to hire 250 additional PEP officers and baseline 50 urban park rangers
- Emphasized the need for increased enforcement and interagency collaboration to prevent fires and improve emergency response
Daniel Abram
1:43:14
Good afternoon, Chair Krishnan.
1:43:16
Chair Ayla is not here, but, and members of the committees.
1:43:19
My name is Daniel Abram.
1:43:20
I am the director of policy at New Yorkers for Parks.
1:43:22
Thank you for the opportunity today to testify to the urgent need to prevent and mitigate brush fires in our city's parks.
1:43:30
The fires that swept through 41 acres of our natural areas last year exposed critical weaknesses in the city's ability to protect and manage these spaces.
1:43:39
One of the most significant issues is the severe underfunding of New York City Parks Natural Resources Group, which has lost 51 forest management positions due to budget cuts.
1:43:49
As a result, only 384 acres of 12,000 can be cared for by Natural Resources Group in fiscal year 26.
1:44:00
This staffing loss directly impacts the ability of the parks department to remove fire prone invasive species, maintain safe trails, and support a rapid response when fires do occur.
1:44:11
The recent fires and ongoing threats to our city's natural areas underscore the urgent need for sustained investment in park management and fire prevention.
1:44:19
To address these challenges, we urge the mayor's office and the city council to support restoration and baselining of $5,000,000 to to rehire 76 critical, staff for the natural resources group to maintain forests, reduce fire risks, and formalize trails.
1:44:36
Invest 20 and a half $1,000,000 to hire 250 additional PEP officers, and baseline 50 urban park rangers.
1:44:43
Increased enforcement and staff presence are essential to determining, to deterring unsafe activity in natural areas that can lead to forest fires, brush fires.
1:44:53
And also ensuring a coordinated interagency response to, by strengthening collaboration between New York City Parks, FDNY, and other agencies to improve emergency response times and long term restoration of efforts.
1:45:07
While I appreciate the intent of legislation such as intro 800 and the pre considered bill 3015 to establish a wildfire mitigation plan, I urge the council to focus on securing stable baseline funding for New York City Parks.
1:45:22
Without proper resources, Legislative mandates risk becoming unfunded requirements solely for transparency rather than actionable solutions.
1:45:31
Thank you.
1:45:33
Thank you.