MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Tuesday, June 22, 1999

3:30 P.M.

 

 

PRESENT:  Chair:  M. Kaplowitz.  Members:  U. LaMotte;  V. Pinto;  J. Maisano.

 

 

STAFF:  Steve Bass;  Charlotte Ryer, Sec’y.

 

 

ALSO PRESENT:  William C. Harding, Executive Director (NYS-DOS/WPPC);  Eric Goldstein (NRDC);  Sabrina Charney (Plng. Dept.);  Mark Sullivan (Riverkeeper);  Sy Globerman (No. Salem Supv.);  Gudrun LeLash (FCWC);  Irene Saltzburg (Friends of Marshlands);  Nancy Seligson;  Bill Randolph (CEO);  Katharine McLoughlin, S. Sklar (NYLCV).

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m..  The minutes of June 7^th were corrected and approved on the motion of Legislator LaMotte, seconded by Chair Kaplowitz, with a vote of 3-0.  The minutes of June 8, & 15^th were corrected and approved on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, with a vote of 3-0.  (Legislator Maisano was out for the votes.)

 

The upcoming meeting schedule was reviewed next.  Noting that next week’s meeting will be to discuss alternative fuels for mass transit, reflecting that there was a discussion regarding the request to purchase 40 new articulated buses – 8 buses will be used for experimenting with alternative fuels.  These issues will be discussed in detail next week.  Also, on Tuesday, July 13^th, the Environment Committee along with the Transportation Sub-committee, will hold their meeting on “Third Track Metro North”, at the Eastchester Town Hall at 7:30 p.m. – this will be the 4^th in a series of outreach-community meetings – local officials will be invited.

 

MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, June 22, 1999

PAGE 2

 

 

Chair Kaplowitz introduced the guests who will discuss the issues of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the nationwide permit system vs regional permit system.  Chair Kaplowitz stated that the issue is, “Can the Committee and Board of Legislators be brought up to speed on the issue, and do you have an opinion on what resolution, action or position the County Board of Legislators should be taking.”  Bill Harding began the discussion on Nationwide Permit #26 which is the Army Corp nationwide permit concerning wetland activities in the NYC watershed area.  He stated he could not give a specific position on the entire issue because the NYS Department of State’s Watershed Protection and Partnership Council (WPPC) has not yet reached a consensus on the watershed issue, but they are in the process of an agreement.  In November, the Army Corps of Engineers issued their intention to strengthen wetland permitting requirements in the NYC watershed and other areas, which set off reactions among the parties of the watershed agreement.  Environmental parties encouraged the Army Corp to maximize the strengthening of wetland permitting and minimize wetland intrusion, if not, eliminate it altogether.  Representatives of communities, economic development agencies, and other signatories to the watershed have said that the watershed agreement represents a fine, just and sufficient basis for going forward with the treatment of the wetland areas within the watershed, at least for the duration of the signed agreement.

 

Honorable Sy Globerman commented on the fact that the US Army Corps was in control of the wetlands and discussed the positive and negative features of tightening controls.

 

The meeting continued with visual maps and references to the wetlands in the watershed areas.

 

Sabrina Charney explained the County’s position in relation to the US Army’s replacement of the Nationwide Permit #26. 

MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT

TUESDAY, June 22, 1999

PAGE 3

 

 

Legislator LaMotte asked if the new proposal is in place, would it be grandfathered?  Sabrina noted that it would, and the deadline for grandfathering is probably September 15, 1999, the expiration date for Nationwide Permit #26.

 

Mark Sullivan explained the difference in the permits.  Nationwide “blanket-type” permit minimal disturbance.  Individual permits - stricter requirements (notice, public hearing).

 

Chair thanked all participants for their input and on the motion of Legislator Pinto, seconded by Legislator LaMotte, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TAPE OF THE MEETING ON FILE.