Lillian Krieg asks for community engagement and environmental review
A City Island resident says the bill requires a study then construction within a year; she asks about traffic, parking, flooding, zoning, boaters, and oyster restoration, and wants full transparency and amendments.
I'd now like to call on Lillian Craig.
by Neve Wallace and Ricardo Garcia.
You may begin.
Good afternoon, Chair Maloney and council members of the committee.
My name is Lillian Krieg, a longtime City Island resident and homeowner.
I speak for an active community that votes in every election and on every level.
First, involving our community at every step.
City Island has one bridge, flood-prone streets, and a special district created in 1977 to protect our nautical character.
Intro 1032 requires a study, then construction of a landing within a year if a site is found.
I see the report posted online, but no required hearing on City Island.
EDC's 2025 Fairies Report promises community engagement for the vision, which was due this fall, but apparently it's going to be in the summer.
Has that begun for City Island, and how does that relate to this bill?
What is the community engagement like?
Second, what the study leaves out, EDC's own report says that City Island remoteness, low population, and limited public waterfront require thoughtful assessment, and limited parking is a key concern.
Yet, Intro 1032 does not list traffic, parking, flooding, housing, or zoning pressure.
In Astoria, a developer told New York Times in 2017 his firm bought as many properties as it could the moment the ferry was announced.
We ask that the bill be amended.
Third, our boating and environmental communities.
Boaters have docked for generations, supported by boatyards, marinas, and yacht clubs.
And neighbors and students are restoring oysters in our waters.
report notes other harbor operators' concerns kept a Manhattan landing from being built.
What is being done to consult city and boaters, marinas, yacht clubs, and oyster reef and environmental scientists, formally in public and at each stage?
Fourth, the environment.
EDC's description of the vision lists zero emission vessels, but not wakes, underwater noise, wildlife, or environmental review.
Research shows that wakes, noise, and dredging can affect shorelines and shellfish.
EDC says landings are limited by water depth.
What is City Islands and what dredging would be needed?
At Coney Island, EDC reports shifting required continual dredging, and CBS reported that a $70,000 state fine and landing costing over $12.5 million was built and removed.
What will be different here?
We will be involved at every step, and we ask for full transparency every study, permit, application, and record.
We vote, and we will remember who listened.
The feasibility study should not be a pipeline to construction.
Thank you.
Thank you.