NYS Seal

POSTPONED NEW DATE TBA

ASSEMBLY STANDING COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
ASSEMBLY SUBCOMMITTEE ON SHORELINE PROTECTION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING


SUBJECT:

Sheepshead Bay Environmental and Shoreline Protection

PURPOSE:

To examine issues concerning the protection of Sheepshead Bay

BROOKLYN
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
11:00 am
Menorah Home and Hospital
Auditorium
1516 Oriental Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York


Sheepshead Bay is an ocean inlet in Southern Brooklyn which juts out of the western end of Jamaica Bay. On shore it runs from Knapp Street to Shore Boulevard on the north, and from Seawall Avenue to Shore Boulevard on the south. The community of the same name is located on the mainland shore of the bay and has a historic connection to the shoreline. The community is mostly residential with significant restaurant and tourist facilities near the shore. The City of New York constructed the Sheepshead Piers in 1936. The first nine provide berths for charter fishing boats and a fuel tender, while Pier 10 serves as a landing site for excursion vessels. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation assumed jurisdiction over Piers 1-10 in 1994.

The waters of Sheepshead Bay continually face environmental issues that range from odor complaints and floating debris to fish kills and oil slicks. In addition, casual inspection of the private bulkheads shows many in need of repair and one that has caved into the bay. There have also been reports of emergency vessels running aground while responding to emergencies. With development along the shoreline continuing, the stresses on the bay will only increase. At present, it is unclear who is responsible for dredging of the Bay and ensuring that bulkheads along the shore are properly maintained.

The purpose of this hearing is to solicit information to help determine where ultimate responsibility for addressing the problems impacting Sheepshead Bay lies and to determine what actions should be taken to better protect the Bay. The Committee will invite witnesses representing a wide range of interests including government officials, community groups and governmental agency staff.

Oral testimony will be accepted by invitation only and limited to 10 minutes duration. 10 copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact person listed on the reply form. In order to further publicize the hearing, please inform interested parties of the Committee's interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.


Thomas P. DiNapoli, Member of Assembly
Chairman, Committee on Environmental Conservation

Steven Cymbrowitz, Member of Assembly
Chairman, Subcommittee on Shoreline Protection

Helene E. Weinstein, Member of Assembly

Alan N. Maisel, Member of Assembly



PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on Sheepshead Bay Environmental and Shoreline Protection to be held on December 12, 2006, or who wish to submit written testimony, are requested to complete and return this reply form by December 6, 2006 by mail or fax to:

Alex Roth
Principal Legislative Analyst
New York State Assembly
Program & Counsel Staff
Capitol/ Room 520
Albany, NY 12248
e-mail: rotha@assembly.state.ny.us
(518) 455-4363
fax (518) 455-5182

(It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.)


box I plan to attend the public hearing on December 12, 2006 concerning Sheepshead Bay Environmental and Shoreline Protection to be conducted by the Assembly Committee on Environmental Conservation.

box I have been invited to make a public statement at the hearing. My statement will be limited to 10 minutes, and I will answer any questions which may arise. I will provide 10 copies of my prepared statement.

box

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:





box I do not plan to attend the above hearing.

box I would like to be added to the Committee mailing list for notices and reports.

box I would like to be removed from the Committee mailing list.

box

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required:






NAME:

TITLE:

ORGANIZATION:

ADDRESS:

E-MAIL:

TELEPHONE:

FAX TELEPHONE:

*** Click here for printable form ***


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