Enacts the "coastal risk management zone protection act"

1 Co-sponsor

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.

BILL NUMBER:S4999

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, in relation to coastal risk management zones; to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the assessment and protection of coastlines against coastal hazards; and to amend the village law, the town law, the general city law and the public service law, in relation to coastal protection

Purpose

This legislation would enact the "Coastal Risk Management Zone Protection Act."

Summary of provisions

This bill amends various sections of the Executive Law, Environmental Conservation Law, Town Law, Village Law and Public Service Law to enhance the protection of coastlines against coastal hazards

Justification

This bill is largely based on the recommendations of the Sea Level Rise Task Force, created by the New York State Legislature in 2007 to "evaluate ways of protecting New York's remaining coastal ecosystems and natural habitats, and increasing coastal community resilience in the face of sea level rise, applying the best available science as to sea level rise and its anticipated impacts." The Task Force released a report in 2010, including findings about coastal vulnerability throughout New York State and recommended responses to this vulnerability and the threats posed by future sea level rise and other coastal hazards. Many of the recommendations involve amending existing state laws to require consideration of sea level rise and its effects when making decisions concerning the use of land and other resources.

The main intent of this bill is to develop and adopt official projections of sea level rise, in order for these projections to guide decision-making and safeguard our coastal resources and infrastructure. Such legislation is particularly important because of New York State's extensive and largely developed coastline; over sixty percent of New York residents live in coastal areas. Recent natural disasters have highlighted the vulnerability of waterfront buildings and infrastructure, and the need to develop practicable solutions to protect existing infrastructure and ensure sustainable development,

Legislative history

2013-14: S. 5310 Finance / A. 6425-A Environmental Conservation

Fiscal implications

None to the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that the Long Island South Shore Estuary Reserve Council shall take into

consideration in its next biannual reviews the amendments made to subdivision 7 of Section 964-b of the Executive Law by Section seven of this act; provided, further, that the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date is authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.