Res. No. 509
Title
Resolution calling on the United States Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider the proposals made in the New York - New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to consider sea rise in addition to storm surge.
Body
By Council Member Constantinides
Whereas, In 2012, coastal storm Sandy ravaged the New York City metropolitan area causing 60 fatalities and damaging significant resources throughout the area; and
Whereas, As a result of Sandy New York City was left without power, with damaged critical public and private infrastructure, and many New York City residents had limited access to food, drinking water and healthcare; and Whereas, The storm inflicted an estimated $19 billion in damages and lost economic activity across New York City; and
Whereas, Coastal flooding and storm surge remain a significant risk six years later and present a threat with deadly consequences for people and wildlife; and
Whereas, The New York City metropolitan area has a gross metropolitan product of over $1.66 trillion and there was a $15 billion federal investment in post-hurricane Sandy recovery and resilience projects; and
Whereas, The United States Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps), working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, in partnership with the New York City Mayor's Office of Recovery and Resiliency, have proposed to develop measures to manage the risk of coastal storm damage in the New York City metropolitan area; and
Whereas, The Army Corps plans to address coastal risk management focusing primarily on the creation of surge barriers, flood walls and levee systems that do not address sea level rise; and
Whereas, The coastal risk management feasibility study acknowledges that no coastal risk management project can eliminate the risk...
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