Establishes a commission to be known as the "New York seawall study commission" which will study the feasibility, costs, impacts, and best locations for construction of a seawall or sea gate being created to protect the city of New York from sea level rise and storm surge along the entire coastline.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8686A
SPONSOR: Barnwell TITLE OF BILL: An act to establish a commission to be known as the
"New York seawall study commission"; and providing for the repeal of
such provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE:
To set up a commission to study the feasibility, costs, impacts, and
locations of a seawall around the city of New York's coastline.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Sets up a 13 member commission (appointed for the life of the commis-
sion) as follows
-3 members appointed by the temporary president of the Senate
-1 member appointed by the minority leader of the Senate
-3 members appointed by the speaker of the Assembly
-1 member appointed by the minority leader of the Assembly
-5 members appointed by the Governor
The commission will hold hearings across the state and conduct a compre-
hensive study on sea levels and a potential seawall on the New York City
coastline. The matters studied by the commission shall include, but not
be limited to:
-Coastal areas at greatest risk from sea level rise;the future
-Areas at risk from storm surge with current sea levels;being created
surge along the
-Areas that are likely to be at risk from coastal hazards in through
year 2100; and
-The feasibility, costs, impacts, and locations of a seawall to protect
the city of New York from sea level rise and storm entire coastline
Amended Provisions:
Changes the commission from a 13 to a 14 member commission
-Commissioner of environmental conservation or his/her designee
-Secretary of State or his/her designee
-2 members appointed by the Governor
-2 members appointed by the temporary president of the senate
-2 members appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly
-1 member appointed by the leader of the Senate
-1 member appointed by the minority leader of the Assembly
-2 members to be appointed by the Mayor of NYC
-1 member appointed by the County Executive of Nassau
-1 member appointed by the County Executive of Suffolk
Allows recommendations on state and local regulatory and/or statutory
alterations.
JUSTIFICATION:
In just the last few years, we have seen one horrific storm after anoth-
er. These once in a lifetime storms are becoming more and more common.
New York City must be prepared for the next Hurricane Sandy. A seawall
is one idea that could possibly save lives in the next super-storm, as
well as protect vital infrastructure that could cost billions to repair.
This piece of legislation would create a commission to study the New
York City coastline to determine the feasibility of a seawall. In 1900,
a Category 4 hurricane, the "Great Storm", struck Galveston, Texas kill-
ing 6,000 to 12,000 individuals. It was the deadliest natural disaster
in U.S history. In 1915, a similar storm in strength struck Galveston,
but the seawall proved invaluable for protection of the city and its
residents. A seawall as seen in Galveston, can help save lives and
protect infrastructure. A study of how such a seawall can be of vital
service to the New York City coast makes perfect sense.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately
