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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Alia Soomro, Deputy Director for New York City Policy at New York League of Conservation Voters
2:43:09
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3 min
Alia Soomro from the New York League of Conservation Voters testified on climate resilience and green infrastructure in New York City. She emphasized the need for prioritizing and investing in multi-hazard climate resilience measures, centering environmental justice in planning, and expanding green infrastructure projects equitably across the city.
- Expressed concerns about Intro 1253, which would require DEP to notify local council members about new bioretention systems, potentially slowing down existing work
- Highlighted the importance of funding for maintenance and operations of green infrastructure projects
- Encouraged the city to prioritize cloudburst infrastructure and the Blue Belt program, and develop an equitable voluntary buyout program
Alia Soomro
2:43:09
Nice.
2:43:10
Thank you.
2:43:11
Good afternoon.
2:43:12
My name is Alia Sumro, I'm the deputy director for New York City policy at the New York League of Conservation Voters.
2:43:17
Thank you, chair Gennaro and members of the committee on environmental protection for the opportunity to testify today.
2:43:23
New York City is vulnerable to multiple types of climate risks, including but not limited to extreme rainfall, sea level rise, coastal and inland flooding, extreme heat, high ground water tables, or a mix of all of the above.
2:43:37
Climate change can also amplify the impacts of environmental injustices, preexisting social and economic challenges combined with the uneven distribution of climate change impacts can make low income and communities of color more vulnerable than others.
2:43:52
With the climate denying presidential administration actively cutting environmental regulations and funding, NYLCV urges New York City to work with the state to prioritize and invest in multi hazard climate resilience and mitigation measures including a mix of green and gray infrastructure and natural and nature based solutions along the city's coast.
2:44:14
Centering environmental justice and equity must be a key part in all climate and environmental planning and policies.
2:44:21
NYLCV recommends the city continue investing in smaller storm water management solutions such as rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavement, and wetland restoration.
2:44:31
Green infrastructure should continue to be prioritized and funded by DEP and be expanded and implemented equitably so that all neighborhoods can receive the environmental benefits that come with them.
2:44:44
While the green infrastructure program has made progress over the last few years, funding for maintenance operation is key.
2:44:51
When it comes to the related legislation, NYSEV has some concerns about intro twelve fifty three, a bill that would require DEP to notify the local council member when DEP installs a new bioswale, rain garden, or other bioretention system in the public right away.
2:45:08
Given the urgency of the climate crisis Your time has expired.
2:45:18
Okay.
2:45:18
Thank you.
2:45:19
Just given the urgency of the climate crisis, we think that a bill requiring notice for small scale green infrastructure projects could slow down the city's existing work.
2:45:29
Moreover, the public is already notified of the installation of new GI assets in the right of way through DDC, which is responsible for the construction of these installations.
2:45:40
That includes a fourteen day public notice which is sent out to local elected officials as well as those signed up to receive notifications through d d c's anywhere portal.
2:45:52
So we're happy to continue working with you council member Janeiro and other advocates to get the bill where it needs to be, but we just want to emphasize that we think that green infrastructure projects need more funding for maintenance and operations.
2:46:06
And then wrapping up, we encourage the city to continue prioritizing cloud burst infrastructure and the Blue Bell program.
2:46:14
And lastly, we hope the city makes progress in the coming years to develop an equitable voluntary buyout program.
2:46:20
We look forward to working with you, council member and the rest of the council and other advocates.
2:46:25
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
James F. Gennaro
2:45:13
Aliyah, we work together.
2:45:15
I'm gonna give you a little latitude as well.
2:45:16
So, please continue.