Extends, until December 31, 2017, the authorization of residential property owners in high risk brush fire areas on Staten Island to cut and remove reeds

1 Co-sponsor

• Diane J. Savino

Title of bill

An act to amend chapter 306 of the laws of 2011, authorizing owners of residential real property in high risk brush fire areas in the borough of Staten Island to cut and remove reeds from their property, in relation to extending the expiration and repeal date thereof for an additional year

Purpose

To establish a general residential fire break permit for the borough of Staten Island, city of New York to allow the owner of residential real property to cut and remove phragmites.

Summary of provisions

Section 1. Amends Section 3 of chapter 306 of the laws of 2011 authorizing owners of residential real property in high risk brush fire areas in the borough of Staten Island to cut and remove reeds from their property, as amended by chapter 245 of the laws of 2015.

Section 2. Provides for an immediate effective date.

Justification

Every year on Staten Island there are series of dangerous brushfires. Many areas on Staten Island are prone to brushfires because they are thick with an invasive, nonnative species of weed - phragmites communis. Phragmites are reeds and combustible plants that commonly grow seven feet tall and often turn into tinderboxes especially during the spring and fall seasons. They have been the proven source of numerous brush fires which often escalate and threaten surrounding properties. According to information provided by the New York City Fire Department, in the past 15 plus years there have been over 7,400 reported brush fires on Staten Island with close to 200 of them being "all hands on" requiring all fire houses on the Island to send assistance.

This legislation extends chapter 267 of the laws of 2015 for another year. It allows a residential property owner in a high risk brush fire area in the borough of Staten Island to obtain a no-cost permit to cut down these invasive combustible reeds thereby reducing the life-threatening phragmite fires that not only destroy property and homes but put our first responders at risk as they battle these blazes.

The no-cost permits can be obtained via telephone or in person through the Staten Island borough president's office. Furthermore, information regarding the availability of the residential fire break permits can be found on the Department of Environmental Conservation website.

Legislative history

2015: A.1460/S.2546 - Chapter 245. 2014: A.8862/S.6656- Chapter 267. 2012: A.9046/S.6219- Chapter 34. 2011: A.7463/S.4377 -Chapter 306.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed December 31, 2017.