Printer Friendly Format Email a Friend


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 130-09
March 18, 2009

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION FOR CONSTRUCTION PERMIT APPROVALS FOR WORK IN ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The sixth bill before me is Introductory Number 919-A, sponsored by Council Members Vann, Comrie, de Blasio, Fidler, Gerson, James, Koppell, Recchia, Sanders, White, Arroyo, Garodnick, Eugene, Gennaro, and Weprin.  Introductory Number 919-A requires coordination between a number of agencies including the Department of Buildings and the State's Department of Environmental Conservation before the approval of construction documents for work relating to construction in mapped wetlands, coastal erosion and special flood hazard areas.

"Today, only a small fraction of our historical freshwater and tidal wetlands remain in New York City.  The City owns thousands of acres of wetlands that help us provide wildlife habitat, recreation, and protection from flooding and storm surge.  While we are constantly looking to add to our Bluebelt system and Parks Department holdings, some wetlands in the City are and will remain privately owned.  With the many different agencies that may require permits for development in and near City wetlands, coordination is crucial to making sure that all appropriate permits or approvals are obtained in order to prevent damage to the existing wetlands.  Introductory Number 919-A prohibits the approval of construction documents by the Department of Buildings, unless the applicant can establish that the requisite approvals have been issued by State and other agencies that have jurisdiction over wetlands.

"I would like to thank Department of Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri and his staff for their work on this bill.  I would also like to thank the Council for approving this legislation."







MEDIA CONTACT:


Stu Loeser/Marc La Vorgna   (212) 788-2958




More Resources
Watch the video in low or high bandwidth