By Jennifer Wilson Pines

In addition to important federal, state and local elections on Nov. 8, New York voters will be asked to approve a 4.2 billion-dollar Environmental Bond Act.

The last time New Yorkers had the opportunity to do this was in 1996 when the 1.75 billion Clean Air/Clean Water Bond Act was passed by voters. That bond act enabled projects such as the purchase of thousands of acres of land for preservation, cleaner heating systems to replace coal-fired furnaces in New York City schools, remediation of heavily polluted sites, landfill closures, and millions in grants and loans for drinking water projects.

If approved the fund will be allocated in four categories: $650 million for water quality improvement and infrastructure, $650 million for open space and conservation and recreation, $1.5 billion for climate change and $1.1 billion for risk reduction. Within each category are more specific allocations.
Water quality improvement and infrastructure designates at least $200 million for wastewater infrastructure upgrades and repairs, to allow sewage treatment plants to reduce pollution in discharges.

$250 million is earmarked for municipal stormwater projects like capturing runoff, reducing erosion, and implementing green infrastructure.

Types of eligible projects can include reducing soil loss and runoff from farms, improving soil health, and restoring buffers between farms and streams, reducing harmful algal blooms and water pollution in lakes, rivers and embayments, extending or establishing sewer lines to replace polluting septic systems, reducing water pollution by eliminating point or nonpoint source discharges to conform with MS4 requirements and reducing lead exposure by replacing lead service lines.
Open space, conservation and recreation specifies $300 million for open space land conservation. This will allow municipalities and not-for-profit organizations to purchase land or put it under permanent conservation.

There is another $150 million for farmland preservation and $75 million for fish hatchery creation and upgrades. Eligible projects would include land and farmland conservation projects with willing landowners/sellers, fee or easement purchases by the state, a municipality, or a not-for-profit organization, planning, design, and construction of projects to develop and improve parks, campgrounds, nature centers, fish hatcheries, and other recreational facilities
Climate change gets the biggest share of the pot with a wide range of eligible projects. $500 million is slated for zero-emission school buses and supporting infrastructure. $400 million will go for green buildings, energy efficiency or renewable energy on state-owned properties, SUNY/CUNY, community colleges and public schools.

$200 million to clean up air and water pollution in environmental justice communities which have borne an unfair share of polluting industries.

$100 million will fund climate adaptation and mitigation projects. Eligible projects can include; urban heat reduction through green roofs, open space, community gardens, cool pavement, community cooling centers, and reflective roofs. Urban forestry projects such as forest and habitat restoration, planting of street trees and protecting natural and working lands that store or reduce carbon or methane pollution from agricultural lands
Risk reduction looks at the current and impending damage that climate change can bring. $100 million for coastal rehabilitation and shoreline restoration benefits NYC, Long Island and Westchester.

$100 million will go to reduce inland flooding as was seen after Hurricane Irene, and revitalizing waterfronts. $250 million will be for flood buyouts and associated costs in areas where flooding is regular and high risk to lives and property.

Eligible projects can include restoring natural areas and wildlife habitat including wetlands, streams, and forests and protecting people, roads, and buildings from flooding by acquiring, moving, lifting, or raising flood-prone properties, structures, and infrastructure; relocate, repair, or raise flood-prone roadways; and update dams, bridges, and culverts.

In addition to the 200 million specified for clean-up of air and water pollution in environmental justice communities, the language of the act includes this statement, “The department shall make every effort practicable to achieve a goal that forty percent of the funds pursuant to this article disadvantaged communities… disadvantaged communities shall receive no less than thirty-five percent of the benefit of the funds pursuant to this article.”

This will begin to undo the damage that packing high pollution industries, trash transfer stations, auto junkyards and others into poorer neighborhoods has done over the decades.

Projects undertaken with act funding are projected to create 34,000 jobs directly. Additionally, it will create almost 9 billion in indirect spending for the New York economy and 84,000 jobs.

The act will leverage federal funds from the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act. 4.2 billion seems like a large sum but should be taken in context of the state’s $220 billion 2022-23 budget. Costs will be spread out over years as projects are approved and completed in stages.
New York voters have a long tradition of approving environmental bonds; 11 in all starting in 1916. When you mark your ballot on Nov. 8, make sure to vote yes for the environment.