Narrative of Resolution:
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This November, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to decide whether to approve the state’s first environmental bond act in nearly three decades. If approved by voters, the $4.2 billion Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond Act would allow for multi-year investments in climate and environmental projects like flood risk reduction, open space land conservation, water quality improvement, building resilient infrastructure, and climate change mitigation. The NYSAC Board recently passed a similar resolution at their 2022 Fall Conference. NYSAC supports the Bond Act to increase funding for existing environmental programs and fund new projects, and encourages members to spread the word that voting “yes” on this ballot measure will support healthy communities, a strong economy, and recreation in all corners of the state.”end
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WHEREAS, providing clean drinking water and protecting our rivers, bays, lakes, streams, and waterfronts from pollution is paramount to quality of life in New York State; and
WHEREAS, modernizing water infrastructure will safeguard clean water, reduce flooding, lessen lead exposure and other public health threats, and create jobs; and
WHEREAS, New Yorkers are vulnerable to extreme weather, including deadly heat from rising temperatures and flooding from severe storms that put people, properties, and public assets at risk; and
WHEREAS, upgrading transportation and stormwater infrastructure, restoring natural resources, growing urban forests, building green roofs, and upgrading cooling centers will reduce the impact of extreme weather, saving lives and money; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of outdoor recreation and access to fresh, local food as people flocked to local parks and sought out healthy foods for their families; and
WHEREAS, upgrades to facilities at state and local parks and preserves and the creation of new outdoor recreational areas will benefit our state by protecting wildlife habitats, providing more people access to nature, and creating jobs in the outdoor recreation economy; and
WHEREAS, the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Clean Jobs Bond Act (“Bond Act”) would authorize New York State to issue $4.2 billion in general obligation bonds to finance critical environmental restoration, clean water, and infrastructure projects across the state; and
WHEREAS, the Bond Act was passed by the New York State Legislature as part of the FY 2023 State Budget and will appear on the general election ballot on November 8, 2022 for voter approval; and
WHEREAS, the Bond Act would invest at least $1.1 billion in restoring habitats and reducing flood risk, at least $650 million in improving water quality and the resiliency of infrastructure, up to $650 million in protecting open space and recreational infrastructure, and up to $1.5 billion in mitigating climate change; and
WHEREAS, the Bond Act includes strong labor provisions and will support more than 84,000 family-sustaining jobs for New Yorkers and $8.7 billion in project spending; and
WHEREAS, the Bond Act would enable New York State to address pollution and public health threats in disadvantaged communities by directing at least 35 percent of the total funding to these neighborhoods, with a goal of reaching 40 percent; and
WHEREAS, Sullivan County has already made great efforts to combat climate change through its participation in the NYS Climate Smart Communities program, including initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, advance the transition to renewable energy, and build more resiliency into our natural and built infrastructures; and
WHEREAS, the Bond Act will allow local governments to apply for grants to carry out projects that will serve the unique needs of their communities and support New York State in achieving the Climate Act’s goals of reducing economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature supports passage of the Clean Water, Clean Air, Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 to enable historic investments in protecting the environment, mitigating climate change, and advancing environmental justice; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Sullivan County shall forward copies of this resolution to the Governor of the State of New York, the New York State Legislature, and all others deemed necessary and proper.
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