Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro: blizzard’s melting snow will demonstrate necessity of Bluebelt
Melting Snow and Rain May Create Flooding Conditions
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Borough President James P. Molinaro today said that a combination of melting snow and rain in the wake of the Blizzard of ‘06 may create a water run-off condition on the Island – emphasizing the importance of the Borough’s Bluebelt system.
“This week’s melting snow and rain may present a vivid example of why the Bluebelt is desperately needed for storm water management, and why development in wetland areas must be controlled,” said Molinaro.
“I consider the establishment of the Bluebelt system to be a major priority for this Borough,” Molinaro added. “In the long run, we can save millions of dollars in flood damages and storm water management costs if natural areas are protected in coastal flood zones.”
Molinaro provided the following update on Bluebelt ULURP applications:
* The New Creek Bluebelt (Ocean Breeze/Midland Beach) ULURP was approved in February 2004. Phases 1 and 2 property acquisitions are completed, leaving Phases 3, 4 and 5 remaining.
* The South Beach Bluebelt ULURP was approved in February 2006, and the acquisition process is underway for this Bluebelt.
* The Oakwood Beach Bluebelt ULURP was filed in October 2005. There will be a public hearing at Community Board #3 offices February 22, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. Once ULURP is complete, acquisition can begin for this Bluebelt.
“I am pleased that our Bluebelt system is moving ahead as quickly as the process allows, and I applaud Mayor Bloomberg for his support of the Bluebelt over the years,” said Molinaro. “I greatly appreciate the active cooperation of Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Emily Lloyd in helping us to establish this engineering marvel. Staten Islanders are fortunate to have a City Administration that understands our Borough’s need for Bluebelts as a cost-effective way to prevent flooding and preserve natural areas.”
February 15, 2006