BILL NUMBER: S4974A
SPONSOR: WALCZYK
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
banning unencapsulated expanded or extruded polystyrene foam in floating
docks and floating platforms
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1; Amends Article 27 of the environmental conservation law by
adding an additional title, Title 34.
Section 2: Requires that the act take effect immediately.
JUSTIFICATION:
Unencapsulated expanded polystyrene is commonly used on private docks
and waterways throughout New York State. It is commonly used because
these blocks do not degrade easily. However, polystyrene can prove harm-
ful to aquatic environments. Because they are unencapsulated, abrasion
and wildlife tearing at the material leads to the material breaking. As
these pieces float into waterways, fish and other aquatic animals may
eat them, resulting in their deaths. As a result, many ecosystems are at
risk as unencapsulated polystyrene remains near our bodies of water.
Many cities across the country have taken action prohibiting the use of
this material. Furthermore, New York has already banned the usage of
polystyrene in other capacities. For example, "packing peanuts" and
Styrofoam containers have already been prohibited, with past legislation
citing environmental reasons. Therefore, with this bill, it is time for
New York to ban the usage of unencapsulated polystyrene to protect our
precious rivers and lakes.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.