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New York City Council
Oversight - Coastal Resilience
Read summaries and jump into the video at the segment start.
Staff welcomes attendees to the Committee on Environmental Protection and Waterfronts, asks electronics to be silenced, explains how to testify, and warns people not to approach the dais. The chair is then invited to begin.
Gennaro identifies himself as chair and announces an oversight hearing on coastal resiliency along with three bills. He says the committee will hear Intros 343, 931, and 936.
Gennaro describes Intro 343 on waiving crane permit fees for solar installations, Intro 931 on a mobile drinking fountain program, and Intro 936 on creating a Department of Coastal Protection. He says the new department would design and deploy shoreline protection measures.
Gennaro notes the approaching 14th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy and describes the recent nor'easter that caused coastal flooding and killed NYCHA worker Leighton Brown. He offers condolences and compares New York's flooding with worse damage in New Jersey.
Gennaro recalls introducing the 2012 bill that became Local Law 42, codifying the NYC Panel on Climate Change and Climate Adaptation Task Force. He cites NPCC 2024 projections for sea-level rise through 2100.
Gennaro digresses on conflicting state sea-level estimates from Columbia and Stony Brook, arguing that two sets of books undermine public confidence in climate science. He says preparation is still necessary despite uncertainty.
Gennaro cites NPCC projections for increased annual precipitation and argues stronger storms require a city agency or bureau to holistically plan coastal response. He wants to codify the existing Bureau of Coastal Resilience.
Gennaro thanks committee staff and legislative director Josh Gachet, and recognizes Councilmembers Sanchez and Avilés. He then turns to counsel for witness affirmation.
Staff asks witnesses to raise their right hands and affirm to tell the truth. They instruct witnesses to state their name and title for the record.
Gennaro makes notes, thanks the sworn panel, says he has a copy of the statement, and asks them to proceed. He mentions annotating the statement so he can ask questions.
DeFalco introduces herself as Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs at DEP and introduces colleagues from the Bureau of Coastal Resilience and DOB. She says they will discuss coastal resilience and the bills.
DeFalco details storm surge, high winds, and flooding in Jamaica Bay, Howard Beach, Staten Island, City Island, and Red Hook. She notes downed trees, the death of Mr. Brown, and DEP pumping and tree removal efforts.
DeFalco says NYC has 520 miles of shoreline and must get ahead of risk with a coordinated citywide approach, not isolated projects. She describes DEP's 2023 creation of the Bureau of Coastal Resilience and its responsibilities.
DeFalco says Mayor Mamdani committed $43.2 million to expand BCR from six to 75 employees, adding engineers, planners, field crews, and flood resilience experts. She says the city is now building and operating projects.
DeFalco lists 16 active BCR projects, including Eastside Coastal Resilience, Brooklyn Bridge Montgomery, Staten Island seawall, Seaport, and Red Hook. She gives costs, lengths, and populations protected.
DeFalco says building infrastructure is not enough; the city must operate and maintain a new class of assets. She notes BCR assumed responsibility for 12 floodgates and 1.4 miles of flood wall from ESCR.
DeFalco says BCR is developing first coastal infrastructure design standards and an asset management system. It is also working toward a comprehensive vision for all 520 miles of coastline considering risk, equity, land use, and maintenance.
DeFalco estimates $1–$2 billion annually over 20–30 years and says the city cannot do it alone. She discusses HATS, the Army Corps, and the need for sustainable funding and government structure.
DeFalco says DEP shares the goal of clear accountability for coastal resilience but warns against fragmenting the existing Bureau. She asks the Council to consider strengthening rather than duplicating institutional structure.
DeFalco says DEP understands extreme heat concerns but warns the bill would require significant resources and pull staff from water supply duties. She points to cooling stations, park fountains, and other agency initiatives as alternatives.
DeFalco says Intro 343 concerns crane permit fees for solar installation and that DOB manages crane permitting. She says DOB supports the intent and wants to work with Council on renewable energy legislation.
DeFalco says NYC has made progress since Sandy but the challenge remains enormous. She says the city must ensure billions in coastal infrastructure work together and are ready for the next storm.
Gennaro thanks DeFalco and asks for a brief sidebar with counsel before proceeding to questions. He then returns to outline the plan for the hearing.
Gennaro explains he has many questions but will first recognize Councilmember Epstein for his mobile drinking fountain bill and then DOB for the solar bill because both have other hearings. He jokes about time limits.
Epstein thanks Gennaro and explains Intro 931 aims to improve public water access on hot days, especially in low-income communities. He asks whether the city can better provide publicly available water.
DeFalco says DEP appreciates the advocacy but the bill poses logistical and workforce challenges, requiring two people per station and over 100 staff. She notes DEP has only nine emergency fountains and has reduced the program due to overtime costs.
Epstein asks about narrowing the bill to high-need areas and suggests collaboration with other agencies. DeFalco agrees another agency or partnership may be better than DEP alone, and Epstein thanks the chair.
Gennaro calls DOB to discuss Intro 343 and asks what crane permits are required for solar panel installation. Jill Rebecki of DOB says there is no solar-specific crane permit; a general crane permit would apply.
Rebecki says crane permit applications cost $150–$250 and solar installations often use aerial lifts that do not require crane permits. Gennaro asks follow-ups about cost and equipment.
Gennaro asks if an engineer is required to submit the application. Rebecki and Wendy Wan confirm that an engineer is required for a crane permit.
Gennaro asks if buildings face financial barriers due to permitting costs. Wendy Wan explains the $250 crane permit is separate from solar panel filing fees, which vary by system size and power output.
Gennaro asks whether buildings face financial barriers due to permitting costs. Wendy Wan explains the $250 crane permit is separate from solar panel filing fees, which vary by system size and power output.
Wendy Wan says solar permit fees depend on system size, roughly $5–$13 per kilowatt, with a minimum permit fee around $290 and additional fees per $1,000 of installation cost. She offers to confirm exact numbers.
Gennaro asks about permit requests after federal subsidies lapsed. Wendy Wan says solar filings fell from about 9,400 in 2024 to 8,500 in 2025 and only 3,300 so far in 2026.
Gennaro thanks DOB witnesses for appearing despite other commitments and says he appreciates their answers on crane and solar permit fees. He releases them from the witness table.
Gennaro takes a sip, thanks staff for large-font notes, and prepares to go through his questions. He notes a beep and comments on printing.
Gennaro quotes DeFalco's testimony about a coordinated citywide approach and asks how BCR's comprehensive vision will encompass other agencies' projects. He worries about siloed work and wants one lead planning entity.
DeFalco says 'Tom, Dick, and Harry' refers to federal, DDC, and other agencies that build infrastructure later turned over to DEP. She says planning ensures new infrastructure fits with existing systems.
Gennaro says he wants a higher-level answer about BCR's management role, funding, and coordination. He envisions BCR as the 'Oz' of coastal resilience to which all other projects answer.
Catherine Prabilski says Gennaro's description matches BCR's goal: one planning entity carrying the ball. She begins describing the visioning work for the city's coast.
Prabilski says the first step is 'Resilient Infrastructure for Shoreline Edges' (RISE), to be completed by end of year, followed by a comprehensive coastal resilience plan. She says the plan will be a report updated over time with community and agency input.
Gennaro says he wants to ensure no other entities usurp BCR's responsibility or compete for funding. He asks how long the planning process will take.
Prabilski says RISE will finish this year, procurement for the comprehensive plan starts next year, and the plan will take about two to three years. It will begin with visioning and listening to coastal communities and agencies.
Gennaro notes the Council created an Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability and an Office of Resiliency in the mayor's office. He asks how BCR works with that office.
DeFalco says DEP has a strong working relationship with the mayor's resiliency office and there is no turf war. She thanks Gennaro for his advocacy for the Bureau's funding.
Gennaro says he has long viewed storm surge as the major threat and wants BCR to be the boss of coastal resiliency. He jokes about BCR becoming the 'Death Star' of resilience in a good way.
Gennaro reads DeFalco's testimony warning against fragmenting institutional structure and asks what in the bill triggered that concern. DeFalco says BCR is new, infrastructure is coming online, and the city needs flexibility and more conversation.
Gennaro asks to what extent the Army Corps and HATS have embraced storm surge barriers and whether NYC could plan and deploy them. Prabilski says the Corps proposed barriers in reports but is not actively studying them.
Prabilski says the Corps has not advanced storm surge barrier analysis beyond reports and that the city needs Corps expertise to study, build, and operate them. Gennaro notes the barriers are on a map but not on the map as active projects.
Gennaro asks if BCR has attended meetings of the Storm Surge Barrier Working Group associated with Malcolm Bowman. Prabilski says she is aware of the group but would need to check attendance.
Councilmember Avilés thanks the panel and says Red Hook residents were surprised by the Bureau's creation. She asks how BCR will engage impacted communities and how it will plan its work.
Councilmember Avilés thanks the panel and says Red Hook residents were surprised by the Bureau's creation. She asks how BCR will engage impacted communities and how it will plan its work.
DeFalco says the Red Hook project involved community input on flood wall height and that thinking about coastal versus inland flooding has evolved. She says BCR will be a big part of future community engagement.
Avilés says residents want real engagement and describes having to call agencies to remove catch basin covers before storms. She asks for automatic procedures and contractor accountability.
DeFalco says DEP is engaged in development conversations and points to the unified stormwater rule and Gowanus as positive examples. She acknowledges the need to avoid creating a bathtub effect when building coastal protection.
Avilés asks whether outside teams or trained community members will deploy barriers. Prabilski says BCR will house its own crews, hired through DEP's apprentice program, to deploy gates and barriers.
Avilés asks how development, industrial working waterfront, maritime uses, housing, and coastal resiliency will be reconciled. Prabilski says it will be a challenge and BCR will need to bring all voices together.
Gennaro thanks Avilés, calls her an honorary committee member, and resumes his questions. He then turns to the Plan YC process.
Gennaro asks how BCR will interact with the Plan YC process, which also includes resiliency work. Prabilski says DEP works closely with MOCEJ on Plan YC and BCR was established from a Plan YC initiative.
Gennaro asks if the nor'easter required mobile flood barriers or subway entrance covers. DeFalco says it did not; the storm was mostly coastal and tidal flooding, and pumping had to wait for tides to recede.
Gennaro asks about rainfall totals and notes his central Queens district missed the worst. DeFalco says rainfall was relatively light and inland flooding reports were minimal.
Gennaro asks if BCR has filled its 69 new lines. DeFalco says not yet, but hiring of apprentice laborers and other roles is underway, with a goal to fill positions as soon as possible.
Gennaro asks whether DEP has worked with MOCEJ on climate resiliency guidelines and the minimum resilience score required by Local Law 41. Prabilski says MOCEJ leads the effort and DEP coordinates with them.
Gennaro asks if BCR is coordinating with DOB on the waterfront construction code. Prabilski says she sits on a committee for the code and sees it as helpful for consistency, with no immediate major concerns.
Gennaro asks how codifying BCR within DEP would affect its ability to advocate for resources. DeFalco says DEP wants flexibility and time to see how the expanded bureau operates before supporting codification.
Gennaro says the Council is not willing to wait a year before advancing the bill. DeFalco says DEP still wants continued conversations as infrastructure comes online.
Gennaro thanks DEP witnesses, says he will call the next panel and take a quick break. He names Waterfront Alliance, Riverkeeper, and NYLCV witnesses.
After a break, Gennaro opens public testimony, reminds attendees of decorum, and explains how to testify, submit written testimony, and the two-minute limit.
Gennaro calls the first public witness, Maité Duquela, and reminds her of the two-minute limit. The sergeant at arms will work the clock.
Duquela of Waterfront Alliance and Rise to Resilience Coalition supports building BCR's capacity but seeks clarity on whether Intro 936 codifies the Bureau or creates a separate entity. She urges another oversight hearing and a future hearing on groundwater flood risk.
Gennaro thanks Duquela, says the bill's direction will be worked out with stakeholders, and recalls receiving a 'Hero of the Harbor' award from Waterfront Alliance. He shares a boating anecdote.
Gennaro calls Brianna Kilkenny to testify and jokes about awards and hats from environmental groups. He notes Riverkeeper has given him a hat.
Gennaro continues joking about awards and hats from Waterfront Alliance, Riverkeeper, and NYLCV. He then invites Brianna Kilkenny to begin.
Kilkenny says New Yorkers remain at risk from storm surge and Riverkeeper opposes creating a new department. She urges amending Intro 936 to codify BCR within DEP to preserve expertise, job pipeline, and recent $43 million investment.
Gennaro thanks Kilkenny and calls her testimony perfect because it directly addresses the bill, gives reasons, and makes a clear case. He appreciates Riverkeeper's advocacy and hats.
Gennaro calls the next witness, Katelyn Villatoro, and jokes about her small handwriting. He invites her to begin.
Villatoro says climate change amplifies environmental injustice and supports the $43 million BCR investment. She supports Intro 936 intent but wants BCR permanently within DEP, supports Intro 931 with a cost-benefit analysis, and urges funding for MOCEJ and DEP.
Gennaro thanks Villatoro and the panel for focused testimony, says the environmental groups are valued partners, and notes their long history of collaboration. He then turns to remote testimony.
Gennaro explains remote testimony procedures, telling witnesses to wait for the sergeant's signal before speaking. He says one witness is registered.
Elizabeth Cortez, an MPH student, supports Intro 931 with a funded implementation plan. She cites heat mortality disparities and urges recurring summer service, priority for vulnerable neighborhoods, and annual public reporting.
Gennaro thanks Cortez for staying through the hearing and giving her views, and encourages her to continue advocating. He then moves to the next remote witness.
Gennaro recognizes Glenn Bolofsky, who is not online, then gives instructions for anyone missed to raise their hand or come to the dais. Seeing none, he closes the hearing.
Gennaro thanks the administration and public, dedicates the hearing to NYCHA maintenance worker Leighton Brown, who died during the storm. He holds a moment of silence and adjourns.