Brianna Kilkenny testifies for Riverkeeper on Intro 936
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.
Well, good afternoon.
My name is Brianna Kilkenny, and I am the New York City Advocacy and Policy Intern at Riverkeeper.
Thank you, Chairperson Gennaro and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify today.
Riverkeeper is a member-supported watchdog organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Hudson River and the waters of New York City.
Most New Yorkers today are as at risk from coastal storm surge as they were 14 years ago when Superstorm Sandy hit.
And the storm this past weekend was a clear example of this, with high tide and storm surge flooding inundating communities across Queens, Brooklyn, and Staten Island.
It is clear that action needs to be taken, and Riverkeeper applauds the Council for taking leadership on this issue.
While we support the intent behind Intro 936, we join our partners in the Rise to Resilience Coalition in our opposition to the creation of a new department.
Currently, the Bureau of Coastal Resilience resides within the DEP, and this has allowed the Bureau to benefit greatly from DEP's expertise in operating and maintaining large infrastructure,
as well as benefiting from DEP's job training pipeline and existing personnel.
If the Bureau were to be made into its own department, it is likely that both of these benefits
would be lost, which could increase costs and timelines for new projects.
Riverkeeper was very glad to see Mayor Mondani's administration make a historic $43 million investment into the Bureau this year.
With this new funding, increased alignment within the administration, and dedication to pursue a much-needed citywide coastal resilience plan, Riverkeeper strongly requests that the Council maintain a Bureau of Coastal Resilience within DEP.
Until 936 should be amended to codify a Bureau of Coastal Resilience within the DEP to ensure that progress and benefits that have been made over the last several years are not erased by a future administration.
If amended as such, Riverkeeper would strongly support the bill.
So thank you, Chairman Gennaro, for the opportunity to testify today, and we look forward to working with you on this legislation in the future.