[CPEO-BIF] New York City rules fo school leasing

[Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>]

New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
For Immediate Release: June 7, 2007 


STATEMENT FROM DAVE PALMER, STAFF ATTORNEY,
NEW YORK LAWYERS FOR THE PUBLIC INTEREST (NYLPI)

Re:   Facing Behind-The-Scenes Mayoral Opposition at State Level, NYC 
Council Education Committee Unanimously Passes Resolution in Support of 
State Legislation to Close Loophole in NYC School Siting Law

"The New York City Council's Education Committee unanimously passed 
Resolution 836 in support of state legislation that will amend the 
Public Authorities Law to clarify expressly that leased educational 
facilities should be subject to the same public notice, Council approval 
and environmental review as new school construction. The vote was 16-0, 
with one Member absent.

"The School Construction Authority (SCA) is charged with finding space 
for new schools in New York City.  Sometimes they build new schools; 
sometimes they lease existing facilities; for example, an old factory. 
To build a new school, state law requires the SCA to submit a site plan 
to the local community board, gives the New York City Council an 
opportunity to review the site plan, and requires environmental review 
under the State Environmental Quality Review Act - all of which give 
communities notice and an opportunity to participate.  The SCA argues 
that its leasing program is not subject to these same processes - even 
where there is known contamination.

"The Department of Education declined to testify, citing a policy of not 
commenting on resolutions.  However, we have received word from Albany 
insiders that the Mayor's office has been lobbying behind the scenes 
against this important legislation.  It's disgraceful that the City 
would seek to shut out the community and the Council on such important 
school siting decisions, especially where some of the leased sites 
they've chosen in the past have been on contaminated property - and the 
communities we represent have been effected.  The City's opposition is 
the only thing holding back this legislation in the final two weeks of 
the legislative session - that's a real shame.

"We thank Assembly Member Catherine Nolan for sponsoring a bill in the 
Assembly (A.8838).  Senator Frank Padavan has committed to introduce 
legislation in the Senate.  We thank Council Member Robert Jackson for 
introducing this legislation and the entire Council Education Committee 
for passing the resolution today.  We also thank Manhattan Borough 
President Scott Stringer, Public Advocate Besty Gotbaum and Bronx 
Borough President Adolfo Carrión for their public support."

More information and a list of organizations supporting the legislation 
can be found at:
http://www.nylpi.org/area_4_schools_leasingtoxicschools.html

--


Lenny Siegel
Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
c/o PSC, 278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org


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