MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

NOVEMBER 12, 1996

PRESENT: Chair Carsky, Leg. Latimer

ALSO PRESENT: Mayor Korff, Ms. Morgan, Ms.

Coggeshell, Mr. Yoegel, Mr. Hosey,

Mrs. Keating.

ITEMS DISCUSSED:

Chair Carsky called the meeting to order. Mayor Korff informed the Committee of the problem in the Long Island Sound. Commercial fishing boats come into the sound with nets the size of two football fields and take everything - not just the bait fish. They destroy local lobster traps and they take strippers and blues.

They really only want the bait fish and stated that they return the other, however, they have been captured on amateur video showing that they do not. By doing this there is nothing available for the recreational fisherman.

All the state requires is for these fisherman to obtain a permit. Many of them come in at night and do this and process the fish on board and discharge an oil slick - which is illegal. They are allowed to process on board, but not to discharge.

The Mayor would like to see this type of fishing banned, but if that cannot happen, she would be happy with a limit.

Leg. Latimer asked what type of response the Mayor has received from the DEC and she stated that the fishing boats are following the guidelines and there is nothing that can be done. The DEC also only had one enforcement officer, but now has three and they may help the situation.

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The Mayor also stated that these boats do come too close to the shore - which is also illegal. She would like our Board to do a resolution in support of this problem to the DEC to show our awareness of the situation. She supplied the committee with copies of letters in support from Congresswoman Lowey and Sen. Oppenheimer.

The Committee will have Mr. Gretsas draft a resolution in support.

Mayor Korff stated that Mamaroneck Village and New Rochelle have passed resolutions in support. Leg. Latimer will check with Larchmont.

Ms. Morgan updated the committee on the HOV status with Rockland County. She handed out the noise study and consensus that Leg. Latimer had requested. Noise is a very serious issue. Barriers cost roughly $2.5 million a mile.

Leg. Latimer asked if there are no sound barriers, what is the reduction in traffic needed to attain this goal? Ms. Morgan was not sure. Truck traffic is extremely loud and that needs to be reduced. Better road surfaces also are needed to cut down on noise.

Incentive tolls were discussed, however, this was also discussed in 1982 and it went nowhere. Chair Carsky asked if this has been done anywhere else and Ms. Morgan stated it is being done on High 91 in California.

There has also been discussions of having an HOV lane from Exit 12 in Nyack to Exit 8. Most are already in place.

Leg. Latimer stated that we really need to get people on buses with some positive incentives. Mr. Morgan felt that we needed to come up with a compromise plan. She also stated that the final FEIS will be coming out next month and we will have to see that outcome.

On motion of Leg. Latimer, seconded by Chair Carsky, the meeting adjourned at 4:10 P.M.