Resiliency

Erosion of contaminated land in low-lying waterfront areas during severe storms can cause pollutants to be dispersed into surrounding communities, including environmental justice areas already overburdened with pollution. These risks will increase as destructive storms become more frequent and severe due to climate change. Remediation of vacant contaminated land in the coastal flood plain is the most important way to minimize these risks.

This section contains OER initiatives to advance resiliency including:

• increased city grants for remediation of properties in the coastal flood zone,
• a best practices report on how to design and build more resilient buildings, and
• stricter soil cleanup standards for industrial properties in the coastal flood plain.

In addition, the NYC Clean Soil Bank, a soil exchange program overseen by OER, delivers clean, native soil for resiliency and remediation projects. By facilitating the transfer of clean soil directly from excavations to local developments, the program eliminates soil disposal and purchase costs for brownfield developers, City agencies, and community groups in need of soil. Clean Soil Bank material has been used around New York City to raise grade in flood zones, restore wetlands, implement flood protection measures and remediate contaminated land.