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Q&A
Discussion on forestry services cuts and tree management programs
0:53:40
ยท
102 sec
Council Member Holden inquires about the elimination of forestry services funding and its impact on the Parks Department's ability to manage trees and respond to emergencies. The Parks Department clarifies the difference between the forest management framework and the tree risk management program, explaining that the reported job cuts were related to one-time funding for the forest management framework, not the tree risk management program.
- Clarification provided on the difference between forest management framework and tree risk management program
- Explanation that the 50 positions mentioned were never filled due to budget cuts
- Discussion highlights the complexity of budget terminology and its impact on understanding departmental programs
Robert F. Holden
0:53:40
Thank you, chair, for this, and, thank you, commissioner, for your testimony.
0:53:45
My first question is really or my questions would be on forestry.
0:53:50
You know, the city eliminated its, usual 2,500,000.0 allocation for forestry services, axing or eliminating 50 critical positions that protect New York City trees and natural resources.
0:54:03
You know, is the Parks Department or the city prepared for the consequences of underfunding its forestry teams?
0:54:13
What happens when storms hit and are and there aren't enough workers to clear dangerous fallen trees and so forth?
UNKNOWN
0:54:19
So this is number 10.
Susan Donoghue
0:54:20
Thank you, council member, for the question.
0:54:23
You're right that that we did not receive that tree risk management funding.
David M. Carr
0:54:30
Sorry.
0:54:30
We're talking
Susan Donoghue
0:54:30
two different things.
0:54:31
Two different things.
UNKNOWN
0:54:32
Management framework.
Susan Donoghue
0:54:33
Okay.
0:54:34
I am gonna let our deputy commissioner for environment and planning, Jennifer Greenvald, to answer this.
0:54:40
Jennifer.
Jennifer Greenfeld
0:54:40
Thank you, council member Holden.
0:54:43
I'll just note that some of the words that budget uses doesn't always align with our programs, so it's a little bit confusing.
0:54:52
I'm pretty sure what you're referring to is the one shot funding that was those 50 lines that you're referencing.
0:54:59
We're never that funding goes towards our forest management framework, not the tree risk management program.
0:55:05
The tree risk management program was a different peg, and those people were never hired.
0:55:10
It was cut before, in that financial plan, those, folks were never hired.
0:55:17
So it wasn't a loss of 55 people for our tree risk management program.
0:55:21
Just wanna clarify.