Tell the New York State Assembly to help protect communities from flooding impacts

Storm over the Hudson River and Manhattan

Photo: Creative Commons, Ad Meskens

Extreme precipitation events are expected to become more intense and increasingly frequent across the state. New York City in particular is facing the harmful impacts of heavy rainfall, leading to severe flooding that blocks roads, inundates subways, damages property, and disrupts daily life.

Rain Ready NY, which clarifies the powers of water and sewer authorities throughout the state to manage stormwater and adopt climate resiliency policies such as green infrastructure (systems designed to absorb or retain rainwater) and other runoff reduction measures, has gained broad support from elected officials and water utilities statewide. The bill’s supporters include the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens Borough Presidents, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, the Buffalo Sewer Authority, the Western New York Stormwater Coalition, and a majority of the New York City Council.

This bill recently passed in the Senate, and it is time to build off that momentum to get Rain Ready NY passed in the Assembly and put on Governor Hochul’s desk for consideration.

New York communities must have the power to design climate resilience policies that mitigate the impact of floods while improving water and air quality for healthier communities. Urge your representatives in the Assembly to get #RainReady and pass Rain Ready NY before the session ends.

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Please pass Rain Ready NY (A7467) for stormwater management

Dear [Decision Maker],

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Please pass Rain Ready NY (A7467), sponsored by Assemblymember Rozic, which would help protect New York residents from extreme flooding.

Climate change is causing more frequent and intense flash floods and heavy rains. Every year, New York State experiences severe flooding that leads to extensive damage to homes, roads, and other critical infrastructure. The impacts are most devastating in places like New York City, where there are vast expanses of impervious surfaces, such as parking lots, roads, and rooftops. This prevents rain from being absorbed by soil and contributes to the high amounts of stormwater runoff that flood streets and subways, destroy homes, and release raw sewage into our waterways.

Heavy rains and flooding are only projected to get worse. New York State desperately needs effective stormwater management policies that incentivize green infrastructure development to mitigate flood risks. Without urgent action, our state will continue to face these flooding crises year after year.

Rain Ready NY clarifies water and sewer authorities' jurisdiction over stormwater management. This will ensure that water and sewer authorities have the necessary legal framework to effectively manage stormwater, implement new policies that encourage the development of green infrastructure, and bring the state closer to our climate resiliency goals.

The Senate has already passed this crucial bill. Now, it's time for the Assembly to get #RainReady. Please demonstrate your support for this important bill by signing on as a cosponsor, encouraging the Corporations Committee Chair to put the bill on an agenda, encouraging Speaker Heastie to bring this bill to a floor vote, and voting yes for Rain Ready NY.

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