Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF, REF - Sag Harbor) announced that he helped pass a series of bills to safeguard public health and protect our environment in recognition of Earth Day, which was April 22. The legislative package includes measures to strengthen environmental justice policies, ensure all New Yorkers have access to clean water and air and protect our most vulnerable species.

“I want our children and the generations that follow to inherit a healthy planet, which is why this legislation protects families from harmful chemicals and pollution and promotes a more sustainable future for New York State,” said Assemblyman Thiele.

The legislative package builds upon the numerous efforts the Assembly has already put forth this year to protect the environment, including a statewide ban on single-use plastic bags and the banning of offshore oil and gas drilling in our state’s coastal waters (Ch. 58 of 2019, Ch. 29 of 2019).

Strengthening environmental justice policies

All New Yorkers have the right to live in a healthy environment, free of pollution and health hazards, noted Assemblyman Thiele. Yet, historically, low-income communities have been disproportionately affected by the siting of new projects with dangerous environmental impacts. Areas that already endure environmental hazards are frequently chosen for these new projects that have the potential to unfairly put more residents’ health at risk. To address this problem, the Assembly passed a bill that would require the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to publish a list of “high local environmental impact zones” and consider various factors that contribute to an area’s environmental health (A.1779).

Additionally, the Assembly package includes a measure to amend the state constitution to include the right to clean air and water and a healthful environment (A.2064).

“Someone’s ZIP code or the color of their skin should never dictate whether or not they have access to clean air and water,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “Yet, disadvantaged communities right here in New York State are being exploited and suffering from severe pollution every day. By shielding these low-income areas from this unjust practice, we can protect the health of our families and ensure our most vulnerable have a stronger voice.”

Protecting families from harmful chemicals

To protect our children and families from dangerous chemicals, the Assembly package bans the use of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to adverse health effects that was in the process of being banned at the federal level before President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reversed that decision (A.2477-B). Additionally, the Assembly passed legislation to make the light bulbs we use at home safe and sustainable by ensuring that mercury-added light bulbs do not contain excessive amounts of mercury (A.2501-A).

Parents should never have to worry if a children’s product is safe for their kids to use, said Assemblyman Thiele. To ensure this is never a concern, the Assembly passed a measure to restrict the use of dangerous chemicals in products meant for children (A.6296-A).

“New Yorkers should be able to trust that the children’s products they buy are safe for their families,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “Banning the use of harmful chemicals in these items helps keep our children safe and makes our planet healthier.”

Maintaining our plentiful supply of water

New York State’s plentiful supply of fresh water not only provides clean drinking water for our families, but is also a staple of the tourism and agriculture industries. As severe droughts have become more common in other parts of the country, it’s vital we do everything we can to protect our resources, noted Assemblyman Thiele. To help maintain our water supply, the Assembly passed legislation to raise the water-saving standards of plumbing fixtures, including tank-type toilets, shower heads, faucets and urinals, to align with the guidelines set forth in the EPA’s WaterSense program (A.2286).

“How we preserve and protect our natural resources now will affect generations to come,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “We’re lucky to have some of the most plentiful fresh water in the country, and I want to keep it that way. This measure helps ensure that we’re not being wasteful and that our water supply will not suffer down the road.”

Looking out for our most vulnerable species

As we have seen the dangerous effects of climate change impact wild species, especially those in colder climates, it’s also important to recognize how other actions threaten them. The selling of clothing and other articles made from vulnerable species has put some of our most beautiful creatures at risk of extinction, including the giraffe population. Despite attempts to list the giraffe as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act, giraffes are still not protected by any federal or state laws and the trade of their parts remains legal.

To combat this issue before it is too late, the Assembly passed a measure that allows the DEC to designate species as vulnerable species and provide additional protections for them (A.6600). Further, the measure bans the sale of articles made from vulnerable species and designates the giraffe as a vulnerable species.

Commemorating Earth Day and recognizing the importance of wetlands

In addition to these bills, the package included two resolutions. The first commemorates April 22, 2019 as the 49th Anniversary of Earth Day (K.326, Griffin). Earth Day is celebrated by 500 million people and recognized by the governments of 175 countries around the world.

The second resolution, introduced by Assemblyman Thiele, recognizes June 8, 2019 as Dragonfly Day in New York State (K.318). Dragonflies are a sentinel species, and their presence or absence is indicative of the health of wetlands. Unfortunately, dragonflies appear to be vanishing on Long Island. One potential reason is the larvacide methoprene which is the chemical used in coastal wetlands to control mosquitoes, a key dragonfly food source. Assemblyman Thiele noted he will continue to fight for the passage of his legislation prohibiting the use of methoprene in any storm drain, conveyance for water or fish habitat in any municipality adjoining the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean and their connecting water bodies, bays harbors, shallows and marshes (A.6366).

“It is important to increase public awareness of this serious issue. More must be done to protect wetland ecosystems and dragonfly habitat at the local, State and national levels,” said Assemblyman Thiele.