BILL NUMBER: S1532
SPONSOR: PARKER
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
establishing a sea level rise mitigation and adaptation plan
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Establishes a sea level rise mitigation and adaptation plan for cities
with a population of one million or more.
 
SUMMARY OR PROVISIONS:
Section 1 requires the department of environmental conservation, in
consultation with the department of state to conduct a study on the
ongoing and impending sea level rise in NYC and its effect on the envi-
ronment and coastal lands
Section 2 sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
The sea level off New York's coast is up to 9 inches higher than it was
in 1950 and it is causing major issues, including erosion, flooding and
loss of marshes and wetlands. In New York City the solutions can be
complex because of the city's unique location, vast underground network,
and proximity to other large coastal cities.
Moreover, climate change is contributing to sea level change signif-
icantly. Higher sea levels, even slightly, make hurricanes even more
damaging.Scientists expect water levels to continue to rise faster, but
are not sure just how fast this will continue. Climate change is causing
sea levels to rise, ocean surface temperatures to moisture to build in
the atmosphere and "all of these factors, leading to more intense and
destructive storms," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's report. A NYC focused study on the damages will be a
wake-up call for New York to start taking the necessary steps to combat
the destructive sea level rise.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24/ S2502-REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Effective immediately