2007 CPEO Brownfields List Archive

From: Lenny Siegel <lennysiegel@gmail.com>
Date: 27 Jul 2007 07:09:44 -0000
Reply: cpeo-brownfields
Subject: [CPEO-BIF] New York school leasing bill update
 
Fighting toxic school sites

Parents get say but seek more

BY NICHOLAS HIRSHON
New York Daily News
July 24, 2007

Toxic school sites could soon come face to face with a potent enemy - angry, protective parents.

With approval from the state Assembly and Gov. Spitzer, the city's mothers and fathers finally would have a forum to speak their minds - at community education council meetings - before space for schools is leased on contaminated land.

Critics of the legislation, which passed the state Senate last week, call it weak and ineffective. Education councils have only advisory roles and can't stop a school from opening.

But the law gives parents at least a little more say than they currently have. Now, they are not officially included in the process of leasing schools - where their kids might attend class - on toxic space.

...

For the entire article, see
http://www.nydailynews.com/boroughs/queens/2007/07/24/2007-07-24_fighting_toxic_school_sites.html

See also


State Senate OKs scrutiny of leased school sites

By Alex Christodoulides
Forest Hills Times Ledger (NY)
July 26, 2007

Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) to provide greater oversight of proposed school leasing sites passed in the state Senate last week, but some Queens City Council members say it does not go far enough.

Padavan's bill would provide comprehensive and rigorous environmental review, increased transparency and public input for any proposed school leasing site in New York City, according to the state senator. There is currently no state law mandating formal environmental review and assessment or public approval of proposed school leasing sites in the five boroughs, although the School Construction Authority reviews proposed sites to assess their past use and environmental history, Padavan said.

Under the current system, the School Construction Authority has its own process to evaluate leased sites but it does not require public review or City Council oversight.

"Whatever process is in place [for leased sites] is insufficient. We need public review, we need City Council review. We have a system in place that works for purchased sites" but does not apply to leased ones, said City Councilman James Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), who is chairman of the Council's Environmental Committee.

...

FFor the entire article, see
http://www.timesledger.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18630956&BRD=2676&PAG=461&dept_id=551067&rfi=6

--


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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