NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9005
SPONSOR: Espaillat TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the Hudson river park act, in relation
to authorizing a marine transfer station and environmental education
center on the Gansevoort peninsula
PURPOSE:
To create a marine transfer station and environmental education center
in the Hudson River Park.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill amends the Hudson River Park Act, specifically the definition
of "compatible governmental use" and a provision relating to the use of
the Gansevoort Peninsula, to authorize a marine transfer station and
environmental education center on the Gansevoort Peninsula.
EXISTING LAW:
Currently, the use proposed would not meet the definition of compatible
governmental use and would be prohibited in the park.
JUSTIFICATION:
In October, 2006, the New York State Department of Environmental Conser-
vation approved New York City's Long-Term Comprehensive Solid Waste
Management Plan (the "SWMP"). The SWMP lays out the framework of reforms
to the City's solid waste management strategy over the next twenty
years.
The City of New York has been working with the Hudson River Park Trust
to develop plans for an innovative recyclables acceptance and environ-
mental education center on the Gansevoort Peninsula at Pier 52 along the
Hudson River. The proposal to establish a recyclables acceptance and
environmental education center on the Gansevoort Peninsula is part of
the final and NYSDEC approved SWMP. The Gansevoort facility is instru-
mental in achieving two critical objectives of the approved SWMP: first,
to reduce the number of truck miles required for transporting recyclable
materials and solid waste in the City, and second, to distribute trans-
fer facilities more equitably throughout the five boroughs of the City.
The Gansevoort facility will also serve as an important educational and
community facility, offering environmental education programs, space for
community meetings and events, and amenities for park users. The
location is ideal for New York City school children and other visitors
to learn about recycling, the unique estuary environment of the Hudson
River, as well as the importance of the working waterfront to New York
City's history and economy. The facility will be an important asset and
destination within the Park.
The environmental education center occupies space on both levels of the
southern side of the proposed two-level structure. The lower level hous-
es a welcome center and classroom space. Here, visitors and school
groups will be able to view an educational video that describes the
recycling program in New York City and follows material from the house-
hold, through the Gansevoort facility, to the new processing facility at
the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, and to its ultimate destination as
material to make new products. The classroom space would also be
utilized by other community groups seeking meeting or learning areas. On
the upper level is an exhibition area that would also serve as an event
space, capitalizing on the site's extraordinary views of the lower
Manhattan skyline and the harbor.
The facility will be used as a transfer point for recyclable paper,
metal, glass and plastic generated in Manhattan. The metal, glass and
plastic will be transported by barge to the new processing facility at
the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. The paper will be transported by
barge to the Visy paper mill on Staten Island. The Gansevoort facility
will not handle any municipal solid waste or commercial waste. Current-
ly, recyclable paper generated in Manhattan is delivered by barge to the
Visy paper mill from the Department's West 59th Street marine transfer
facility. Pursuant to the SWMP, the West 59th Street marine transfer
facility will become a transfer station facility solely for commercial
waste generated in Manhattan. Relocating the transfer operations for
recyclable paper to the Gansevoort facility would create more transfer
capacity at the existing West 59th Street facility for commercial waste,
thereby bringing additional relief to the neighborhoods of East
Williamsburg-Greenpoint in Brooklyn and the South Bronx, which have
transfer stations that receive a large percentage of the commercial
waste generated in Manhattan.
The City is committed to implementing the approved SWMP and achieving
its important objectives. The Gansevoort facility will help the City
achieve critical SWMP objectives and at the same time offer a unique
learning center for residents and visitors of New York City.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
LOCAL FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.
