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“By creating an office specifically for marine debris disposal and vessel surrendering, we can better streamline the services necessary for beautifying our waters while offering boat-owners viable alternatives to abandonment for their old or unwanted vessels,” Councilwoman Ariola said.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously in favor of a bill aimed at cleaning marine debris from City shores and bodies of water.
Introduction 210-A, sponsored by Councilwomen Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) and Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Far Rockaway), would help keep City waterways clean and clear by amending the New York City Charter to create a marine debris disposal and vessel surrendering office. This will make it easier to clear City shores of vessels, often abandoned in the outer boroughs, and environmental justice communities like Jamaica Bay, Coney Island, the Arthur Kill, and the Kill Van Kull.
“Int. 210 is vital towards enhancing the health and wellbeing of New York City’s waterways,” said Ariola. “By creating an office specifically for marine debris disposal and vessel surrendering, we can better streamline the services necessary for beautifying our waters while offering boat-owners viable alternatives to abandonment for their old or unwanted vessels.”
“The City has a responsibility to preserve the safety and the beauty of our waterfronts,” added Brooks-Powers. “Abandoned vessels present ecological, recreational, and safety risks to residents in communities like mine. An Office of Marine Debris Disposal and Vessel Surrendering will empower the Administration to address this problem and remove dangerous debris from our shores. I thank my colleague, Councilwoman Ariola, for her partnership on this important piece of legislation.”
The council also voted in favor of Resolution 167-A, which calls upon the State Legislature to pass, and the governor to sign, Senate Bill S237, legislation to expand and update New York’s 40-year-old container deposit law to include non-carbonated beverages, wine and liquor and to raise the deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents, further incentivizing the removal of recyclable plastic and glass bottles from New York’s waste streams.
“The Bigger Better Bottle Bill will modernize a program that has proven to be highly effective—it reduces litter, increases recycling rates, and supports the Canning community. Senate Bill S237 will expand the types and number of beverage containers covered and increase the bottle deposit amount,” said Councilwoman Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn), the resolution’s sponsor. “I am excited to advance Resolution 167-A and call on Gov. Hochul and the State Legislature to pass this bill and take us one step closer to Zero Waste.”
Additionally, the council approved a citywide diabetes reduction plan. Introduction 918-A, sponsored by Councilwoman Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills), would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to develop and implement a citywide diabetes incidence and impact reduction plan. DOHMH would be required to report annually on the number of adults with diabetes in New York City as well as its strategies and efforts to reduce the prevalence and impact of diabetes.
“We are in the process of recovering from the worst public health crisis of our lifetime, which caused severe illness and death for thousands of New Yorkers,” said Schulman. “Many of the devastating outcomes from COVID-19 resulted because of underlying medical conditions, especially diabetes. That is why I am extraordinarily proud that the Council [approved] Intro 918-A which will require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to develop and implement the first of its kind citywide type 2 diabetes reduction plan to improve the health of all New Yorkers.”
