STATEN ISLAND (N.Y.) A broad coalition environmental organizations called upon the New York State Legislature for freshwater wetlands protections to be expanded. This is a continuation of a persistent push by environmental groups to protect the natural resource that is abundant on Staten Island.
A Let me knowNearly 100 environmental groups signed a letter sent to the top state legislators this weekend. It indicated an intention to continue the momentum for calls for stronger defenses for more then one million acres freshwater wetlands in the state.
The collective effort is the result of Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a bill. executive budgetExperts praise it as a breather of fresh air. It is an essential step towards implementing changes to the state law that would allow the Department of Environmental Conservations to regulate wetlands and remove jurisdictional barriers that have been contested for years.
Read the letter.
Despite all these benefits, freshwater wetlands are in crisis. The letter continues. Human development, invasive species as well as climate change and pollution continue to harm our wetlands and affect the ecosystem services they provide.
Experts in environmental policy say current regulation relies heavily on outdated maps to define what is and what isn’t a wetland. They also point out that the archaic process leaves large swathes of this precious resource vulnerable for development.
Recent calls continue the advocacy for the elimination and discretionary power of maps to allow the DEC to have jurisdiction over all wetlands over 12.4 acres.
Hochuls’s previous proposal for expanding the law would allow for stronger protections of hundreds of acres of freshwater habitats on Staten Island.
The groups argue that the new legislation should also state that freshwater wetlands are subject to regulation and permit until proven otherwise. This will ensure that the DEC has the proper oversight to enforce regulations. Hochuls’ proposal received positive reactions from environmentalists.
In order to preserve the integrity and health of the areas, the letter recommends that the 100-foot buffers currently in place around wetlands, which naturally migrate, be maintained.
Environmental groups are now looking to the Senate and Assembly of the states to include the wetlands legislation within their One House Budget proposals. This would demonstrate that protecting natural areas should be a priority for lawmakers in the states.
These reforms would end decades worth of struggle where the hands of the states have been tied by laws that protect our wetlands. It is time to stop the loss of our wetlands, and allow the DEC fulfill its mission to protect the environment.
Hochuls proposals were presented alongside a historic investment proposal in New York’s environment. Her budget includes a 4 billion environmental bond act, which is the largest in state history, $500 million offshore wind, a $400million environmental protection fund, and other significant allocations.
Experts consider the funds to be crucial in combating the growing effects of climate changes while maintaining a healthy workforce to support the state’s needs, including increased staffing for reviewing individual wetlands.
