Scenic Hudson Supports Waterfront Revitalization Bill

NYS Legislators are urged to take action before June 22 Summer recess

(POUGHKEEPSIE, New York) - The purpose of the Waterfront Revitalization Bill is to enhance New York State's protection of its coastal resources. It is an act to amend the executive law, in relation to the waterfront revitalization of coastal areas and inland waterways.

This uni-bill A11625 (DiNapoli) andS6549-a (LaValle) would amend the executive law to clarify the Secretary of State's authority concerning consistency rulings in New York's Coastal Zone and keeps New York State decisions in New York State.

BENEFITS:
The bill will strengthen the ability of local governments to plan for their futures by ensuring that major developments are consistent with towns' local waterfront revitalization programs, and coastal management plans.

The bill will also uphold New York's home rule by not allowing the Secretary of Commerce in Washington DC to overrule rulings made by New York's Secretary of State. The bill identifies "environmentally sensitive areas" including such places as the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and other coastal areas that possess significant wildlife, wetland, scenic, recreational and historic attributes. The Secretary of State will have the ability to review and approve or disapprove major industrial, commercial and residential projects in these environmentally sensitive areas.

JUSTIFICATION:
While New York State has a comprehensive coastal zone management and waterfront revitalization program which promotes the protection and enhancement of those resources, the United States Secretary of Commerce can overrule New York's objection to certain projects located in coastal areas. This legislation would clarify and enhance the Secretary of State's authority over major projects and projects located in environmentally sensitive areas in New York's Coastal Zone. The result would be better protection of the State's coastal resources.

For these reasons, Scenic Hudson strongly supports the Waterfront Revitalization Bill.