N.Y.C. Admin. Code § L.L. 2009/031: L.L. 2009/031

Enactment date: 5/26/2009

Int. No. 506-A

By Council Members Gennaro, Brewer, Fidler, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Koppell, Liu, Nelson, Sanders Jr., Weprin, Gerson, White Jr., Martinez, DeBlasio, Vann, Felder, Mitchell, Eugene, Recchia Jr., Vallone Jr., Crowley, Garodnick, Lappin and Katz

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the creation of a comprehensive wetlands protection strategy for New York City.

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Legislative findings and intent. The Council finds that wetlands serve a variety of critical functions important to the residents of New York City. These functions include filtration of pollutants, surface water storage, flood control, shoreline stabilization and prevention of erosion, stream flow maintenance including maintaining the aquatic habitat and opportunities for aesthetic appreciation of streams, groundwater recharge, sediment removal and nutrient recycling, promoting aquatic species productivity, biodiversity and provision of plant and wildlife habitat and enhancing recreational opportunities. Draining and filling wetlands impairs their functions and destroys native habitats. New York City has lost the majority of its wetlands to development, over time. The Council finds that to the maximum extent possible in consideration of competing land uses, preserving the remaining wetlands, creating new wetlands and undertaking actions designed to improve the functions of wetlands to the maximum extent possible is in the best interests of the City, and offers a way to respond to the challenges that will be presented by climate change and rising sea levels.

The Council further finds that the existing law leaves gaps in wetlands protection and that it is necessary for the City to develop and implement a comprehensive wetlands protection strategy.

The Council further finds that existing maps of wetlands in the City are outdated and incomplete. For all of these reasons, the City must take steps to conduct a preliminary satellite or aerial imagery survey that will provide an overview of the remaining wetlands in the City, and provide a basis to develop and implement a wetlands strategy that will address challenges or obstacles to wetlands protection.

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[Consolidated provisions are not included in this Appendix A]

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§ 3. This local law shall take effect immediately.