Governor Hochul Announces New Hurricane Evacuation Study to Improve Public Safety Planning Efforts for Catastrophic Tropical Storm Impacts

 

Study Funded by the National Hurricane Program to Focus on Areas Highest at Risk to Impacts from Tropical Storms, Including New York City, Long Island, and Lower-Mid-Hudson Regions

Initiative Includes Critical Partners Such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Hurricane Center, and Local Emergency Management Agencies

New York State’s Last Hurricane Evacuation Study Conducted in 2009, Prior to Devastating Tropical Storms, Including Sandy, Irene, Lee and Ida; Will Also Analyze Planning for Additional Hazards such as Flooding and Tornadoes

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new Hurricane Evacuation Study that will improve public safety planning efforts for the New York City, Long Island, and lower-Mid-Hudson regions prone to impacts from catastrophic tropical storms. The study will be conducted by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Hurricane Center, and local emergency management agencies, in New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, and Westchester County. The State’s updated HES will be used to improve planning for the response to a catastrophic tropical storm, including potential hazards associated with tropical storms such as flooding, tornadoes, etc., sheltering resources and transportation issues, as well as other demographic and socioeconomic factors. This is the first statewide Hurricane Evacuation Study to be conducted since 2009.

“New Yorkers know all too well the devastating impacts tropical storms and hurricanes can bring to our coastal and inland communities along the Mid-Hudson to the eastern tip of Long Island, and everywhere in-between,” Governor Hochul said. “My number one priority is keeping New Yorkers safe, and we will work together with our federal partners and local governments to ensure our communities and their emergency managers have the knowledge, resources and tools necessary to prepare for future storms.”

Earlier this week, Governor Hochul and the National Hurricane Center announced Hurricane Preparedness Week in New York State, which runs from April 30 through May 6. The annual campaign reminds New Yorkers to review personal emergency preparedness plans and learn more about tropical storms and their impacts in advance of the Atlantic hurricane season.

New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “Hurricanes and tropical storms are powerful events that cause coastal and inland flooding and dangerously high winds that too often result in the loss of life and significant infrastructure destruction, widespread power outages, and disruptions to communities. Over the next few years, we’ll be working hand in glove with your local emergency managers to update evacuation routes and plans that help keep you safe in the event of an oncoming dangerous tropical storm.”

The National Hurricane Program, which includes FEMA, USACE and the NHC, will provide funding for the Hurricane Evacuation Study. DHSES’ Office of Emergency Management recently kicked off the first two phases of the study – hazard and vulnerability analyses – with all relevant federal and local partners in government. These phases of the study are expected to be completed next fall.

FEMA Region 2 Administrator David Warrington said, “FEMA recognizes how critical it is to update the statewide Hurricane Evacuation Study. We are pleased to play a role in supporting local and state emergency managers make informed decisions for their communities. We will continue to support their preparedness efforts toward future storms as it takes partnership at all levels of government to accomplish such a task.”

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District Commander, Col. Matthew Luzzatto said, “New York District is pleased to support this new study effort for New York State to provide information necessary to ensure that the residents of New York State are prepared for future hurricanes and tropical cyclones. Partnership is the key factor in executing these types of large-scale endeavors and I look forward to continuing to work with our partners in New York State, and FEMA to solve some of the region’s toughest challenges when it comes to hurricane evacuation and other adverse weather events.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "We know that extreme weather events like hurricanes are getting stronger, more damaging, and more frequent. As climate change advances, knowing where the areas at highest risk of flooding and damage are will help us prepare and respond during future emergencies and builds on this administration's investments in emergency preparedness. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul for launching this study that will help protect New York City in the years to come."

About the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism, natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.

Wave Hill Events May 25-June 1

 

We’re open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 and here for you to create lasting memories in the gardens.

Join us for a guided garden walk, or one of our Family Art Projects—this week, create your own hat inspired by nature. Whether you’re looking for a tranquil stroll or creative outlet, Wave Hill has something for everyone.

 

Family Art Project: Shake a Flower, Wear a Garden
Sat, May 27, 2023, 10AM–1PM 

Sun, May 28, 2023, 10AM-1PM
Free with admission to the grounds
Meet at Wave Hill House                                                                                                                                                             

What is pollination all about? Why is it so important for our gardens? Let’s make a hat fashioned with imaginative flowers, bees and butterflies to help us learn all about the wonders of pollination. 

 

Registration not required. 

 

The program takes place indoors in the Kerlin Learning Center located on the lower level of Wave Hill House. Please note the following important COVID-related information to ensure everyone’s safety: 

·         Approximately nine families will be able to participate at a time, based on the time each family arrives. 

·         If capacity is full when you arrive, we will provide a “come back” card so you will have first entry for the next session. 

·         Each family will receive its own set of materials and cleaning will happen in between seating participants. 

·         Unvaccinated visitors are encouraged to wear a mask inside. 

 

Wave Hill House is located along a paved route with moderate changes in grade. The building is wheelchair-accessible. There is an accessible, ground-level entrance at the front of the building with a power-assist door. The restroom on the ground level is all-gender and ADA-compliant. Additional ADA-compliant restrooms are available on the lower level, which can be accessed by elevator. 

 

 

No Yoga in the Garden  
Sun, May 28, 2023

Free 

On the grounds
The next gentle yoga class with certified yoga instructor Susie Caramanica takes place on Sunday, June 4.  

 

 

Public Garden Highlights Walk
Sun, May 28, 2023, 2–2:45PM
Free with admission to the grounds                        

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center
Join a knowledgeable Wave Hill Garden Guide for a leisurely stroll in the gardens. Topics vary by season and the expertise of the Guide--come back for an encore; each walk varies with the Guide leading it. This walk lasts a half-hour to 45 minutes. Severe weather cancels. 

 

Registration is not required for this drop-in event. Public Garden Walks are most appropriate for adults or young adults. Not intended for groups; groups should sign-up for Private Garden Tours. 

 

Questions? Please email us at information@wavehill.org or call 718.549.3200 x251.   

 

Garden Highlights Walks follow a variety of routes along mixed-material pathways and varying elevations. Accessible routes are available as requested; please indicate your need to Wave Hill staff at the Greeter Desk in the Perkins Visitor Center.   

 

 

Memorial Day: Wave Hill is Open  
Mon, May 29, 2023, 10AM-4:30PM 

Regular admission 

On the grounds  

Wave Hill will be open on Memorial Day...enjoy the long weekend!
 

HOURS: 10AM–5:30PM, Tuesday–Sunday.

 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at wavehill.org.

DEC Announces 2022 Deer Harvest Estimates

 

New York Hunters Harvested More than 231,000 Deer

Hunters in New York harvested an estimated 231,961 deer during the 2022 hunting seasons, a 10-percent increase from last year, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today.

 

“DEC established several new deer hunting opportunities in 2021 and hunters took greater advantage of these opportunities during the 2022 season, including another safe, successful youth hunt,” said Commissioner Seggos. “Increased hunter success combined with recovering deer populations contributed to an overall increase in total deer harvest.” 

 

The 2022-23 estimated deer take included 116,425 antlered bucks and 115,536 antlerless deer. Statewide, this represents a five-percent increase in antlered buck harvest and a 15-percent increase in antlerless deer harvest from last season. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) affected areas of the Hudson Valley and eastern shores of Lake Ontario in 2020 and 2021, resulting in reduced deer hunting success in these areas. Increases in buck harvest, which DEC tracks as an index of deer population abundance, during the 2022-23 seasons indicate that deer populations in affected areas are recovering.

 

Hunters also took greater advantage of several new deer hunting opportunities established in 2021. More than 2,000 antlerless deer were taken during the mid-September antlerless-only season. This is a nine-percent increase from 2021. This season was established to increase harvest of antlerless deer in wildlife management units (WMUs) where deer populations need to be reduced based on DEC’s deer population objectives.

 

Nearly 2,300 deer, a 38-percent increase from 2021, were harvested by youth hunters during the Youth Hunt Weekend. The increase was due in part to increased success of 12- and 13-year old hunters participating in the second year of a pilot program established by the State Legislature that allows hunters aged 12-13 to hunt deer with a firearm. A summary report of deer hunting by 12- and 13-year-old hunters in 2022 is available on DEC’s website.

 

Lastly, Southern Zone hunters expanded their participation in the Holiday Deer Hunt, a second portion of the late bow and muzzleloader season that spans from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, designed to provide additional hunting opportunity when students are on school break and families are gathered for the holidays. Nearly 4,000 deer, representing an 11-percent increase from 2021, were harvested during the 2021-22 Holiday Hunt. Young hunters also reported taking more deer during the Holiday Deer Hunt than during the traditional portion of the late bow and muzzleloader season.

 

Across the state, hunters continued to voluntarily pass up young bucks, and about 64 percent of the antlered bucks harvested were 2.5 years old or older. DEC’s Let Young Bucks Go and Watch Them Grow educational campaign promotes individual choice and voluntary restraint to shift the age composition of bucks harvested in New York State towards older age classes, while still providing hunters the freedom to harvest any buck they desire. Since the campaign’s implementation, DEC has documented a steady increase in the proportion of bucks harvested by hunters that are 2.5 years old or older.

Notable Numbers 

• 16.6 and 0.6 --- number of deer taken per square mile in the units with the highest (WMU 8R) and lowest (WMU 5F) harvest density.
• 64 percent --- portion of the adult buck harvest that was 2.5 years or older statewide, up from 45 percent a decade ago, and 30 percent in the 1990s.
• 46.4 percent--- portion of successful deer hunters that reported harvest as required by law. This is below the five-year average of 49.3 percent.
• 13,568 --- number of hunter-harvested deer checked by DEC staff in 2022 to determine hunter reporting rate and collect biological data (e.g., age, sex, antler characteristics).
• 2,727 --- deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in 2022-23; none tested positive. DEC has tested 63,012 deer for CWD since 2002.
  

Deer harvest data are gathered from two main sources—harvest reports required of all successful hunters, and DEC’s examination of harvested deer at meat processors and check stations across the state. Harvest estimates are made by cross-referencing these two data sources and calculating the total harvest from the reporting rate for each zone and tag type. DEC’s 2022 Deer Harvest Summary report provides tables, charts, and maps detailing the deer harvest around the state and can be found on DEC’s website. Past harvest summaries are also available on DEC’s website.

Attorney General James Proposes Nation-Leading Regulations on Cryptocurrency Industry

 

Crypto Regulation, Protection, Transparency, and Oversight (CRPTO) Act Would Eliminate Conflicts of Interest, Increase Transparency, and Impose Commonsense Measures to Protect Investors

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced landmark legislation to tighten regulations on the cryptocurrency industry to protect investors, consumers, and the broader economy. The multi-billion-dollar industry lacks robust regulations, making it prone to dramatic market fluctuations, and has been used to hide and facilitate criminal conduct and fraud. Attorney General James’ program bill, which proposes the strongest and most comprehensive set of regulations on cryptocurrency in the nation, would increase transparency, eliminate conflicts of interest, and impose commonsense measures to protect investors, consistent with regulations imposed on other financial services.

The bill would require independent public audits of cryptocurrency exchanges and prevent individuals from owning the same companies, such as brokerages and tokens, to stop conflicts of interest. Crypto platforms would also have responsibilities to customers similar to banks under the federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act by requiring platforms to reimburse customers who are the victims of fraud. The bill would also strengthen the New York State Department of Financial Services’ (DFS) regulatory authority of digital assets.

“Rampant fraud and dysfunction have become the hallmarks of cryptocurrency and it is time to bring law and order to the multi-billion-dollar industry,” said Attorney General James. “New York investors should have the peace of mind that there are safeguards in place to protect them and their money. All investments are regulated to account for every penny of investors’ money — cryptocurrency should be no exception. These commonsense regulations will bring more transparency and oversight to the industry and strengthen our ability to crack down on those that don’t pay respect to the law.”

Overview of the Crypto Regulation, Protection, Transparency, and Oversight (CRPTO) Act:

Millions of investors have lost hundreds of billions in the value of their cryptocurrency investments because of rampant fraud, including market manipulation, hacking, and opaque business practices. Currently, the cryptocurrency industry lacks a robust regulation regime that would prevent or intercept fraud and market failures. While there are millions of investors who have lost significant investments because of these failures, lower income investors and people of color have been disproportionately harmed by the risks of crypto. A study by the JPMorgan Chase Institute on investments made before the 2022 collapse in cryptocurrency values found that lower income households bought crypto at substantially higher prices, and as a result, those lower income households bore a disproportionate share of the losses when the bubble burst.

Additionally, as cryptocurrency investments have been marketed directly to minority communities, the people most susceptible to fraud and losing significant funds due to financial collapses are disproportionately vulnerable and marginalized Americans. Attorney General James’ bill seeks to protect New York investors by bringing regulations and oversight that are applied to other financial services to the cryptocurrency industry and addressing risky practices that are unique to crypto.

1. Stop Conflicts of Interest

The cryptocurrency industry is rife with conflicts of interest that harm investors and reduce competition. In one example, crypto company Terraform Labs created a token, Luna, and also created a lending platform, Anchor, that promised 20 percent interest to customers who invested in Luna on Anchor. But investors could only access the 20 percent returns if they purchased another token created by Terraform Labs called Terra. Because Terraform Labs owned Luna and Terra and promised these unsustainable high interest rates, the actual value of the digital assets was masked from everyday investors and set the table for market disaster. Under current law, there is no regulation or prohibition against these obvious conflicts of interest that put crypto investors at risk.

The bill would stop conflicts of interest in the industry by:

• Preventing common ownership of crypto issuers, marketplaces, brokers, and investment advisers and preventing any participant from engaging in more than one of those activities;
• Preventing crypto brokers and marketplaces from trading for their own accounts;
• Prohibiting marketplaces and investment advisers from keeping custody of customer funds;
• Prohibiting brokers from borrowing or lending customer assets; and
• Prohibiting referrals from marketplaces to investment services for compensation.

2. Require Public Reporting of Financial Statements

Too often investors are unaware of the real risks of investing in cryptocurrencies because crypto companies are not required to make critical public disclosures of their financial condition. As a result, most companies do not make any public disclosures and some companies have even publicly misrepresented their financial condition. For example, Celsius, a cryptocurrency lending platform, bought up its own token, Cel, resulting in an inflated price of Cel and an appearance of demand for Cel, which did not actually exist. When Celsius ultimately froze customer withdrawals and filed for bankruptcy, many investors were caught by surprise, especially in light of repeated statements by the company and its CEO Alex Mashinsky that Celsius had billions of dollars of liquidity.

The bill would increase transparency in the industry by requiring companies to, among other things:

• Undergo mandatory independent auditing and publish audited financial statements;
• Provide investors with material information about issuers, including risks and conflict-of-interest disclosures;
• Require marketplaces to establish and publish listing standards; and
• Require cryptocurrency promoters to register and report their interest in any issuer whose crypto assets they promote.

3. Bolster Investor Protections

Cryptocurrency companies — unlike banks — lack insurance for customer deposits, which makes these companies at significant risk of an old-fashioned “bank run” if they get into trouble. At the same time, crypto companies often lack comprehensive oversight and reserve requirements to ensure they can meet consumer demand or obligations. Multiple cryptocurrency companies have gone bankrupt, losing billions of dollars in investments with no recourse for investors. Additionally, due to inadequate cybersecurity measures, many crypto brokers and marketplaces have lost billions of dollars of customers’ crypto assets. In 2021, cybercriminals raked in at least $14 billion in stolen digital assets. Currently, the law does not protect investors’ cash or provide a means for returning an investor’s crypto holdings if a crypto exchange, broker, or platform fails.

The bill would bolster investor protections by:

• Enacting and codifying “know-your-customer” provisions, meaning brokers would have to know essential facts about their customers, and requiring crypto brokers and marketplaces to only conduct business with firms that comply with KYC provisions;
• Banning the use of the term “stablecoin” to describe or market digital assets unless they are backed 1:1 with U.S. currency or high-quality liquid assets as defined in federal regulations; and
• Requiring platforms to reimburse customers who are the victims of unauthorized asset transfers and transfers resulting from fraud.

The bill would grant the Attorney General jurisdiction to enforce any violation of the law, issue subpoenas, impose civil penalties of $10,000 per violation per individual or $100,000 per violation per firm, collect restitution, damages, and penalties, and shut down businesses engaging in fraud and illegality. The bill would also codify DFS’ authority to license digital asset brokers, marketplaces, investment advisors, and issuers prior to engaging in business in New York and allow DFS to oversee the digital asset licensing regime.

“The cryptocurrency industry is in need of regulation and oversight,” said New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. “As the financial capital of the world, New York must lead these efforts. I applaud Attorney General James for taking decisive action to protect the public.”

“The lack of transparency plaguing the crypto industry causes immense harm to countless investors, especially low-income New Yorkers and people of color who carry a disproportionate share of the losses,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “We cannot let the crypto industry operate without a basic infrastructure for accountability. With this bill, Attorney General Letitia James is addressing the urgency for greater oversight of the crypto industry and building a legal framework to protect New Yorkers and the economy from predatory companies.”

This program bill will be submitted by OAG to the State Senate and Assembly for their consideration during the 2023 legislative session.

This announcement is the latest effort by Attorney General James to rein in the cryptocurrency industry. In March, Attorney General James continued her efforts to crack down on unregistered cryptocurrency platforms by filing a lawsuit against KuCoin for failing to register as a securities and commodities broker and falsely representing itself as a marketplace. In February, Attorney General James brought action against CoinEx for similarly failing to register as a securities and commodities broker. In January, Attorney General James and a multistate coalition recovered $24 million from the cryptocurrency platform Nexo for operating illegally and sued the former CEO of Celsius for defrauding investors and concealing the company’s dire financial condition. In November 2022, Attorney General James urged congress to adopt legislation that would prohibit investing retirement funds in cryptocurrencies. In June 2022, she warned New Yorkers of the dangerous risks of investing in cryptocurrencies after the market reached then-record lows. Also in June 2022, Attorney General James reached a nearly $1 million settlement with crypto platform BlockFi Lending LLC for offering unregistered securities. Last March, Attorney General James issued a taxpayer notice to virtual currency investors and their tax advisers to accurately declare and pay taxes on their virtual investments. In October 2021, Attorney General James directed unregistered crypto lending platforms to cease operations for not registering with the state. 

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - What's Happening in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

I am excited to share that this year’s Family Summer Series officially begins this evening! My office and I have been working hard to bring more community-based events, including resource events, movie nights, and family days, to the district. For those who will be joining us this summer for the first time, I hope you are ready for a wonderful, fun-filled experience!   

I’m also happy to share that the Department of Transportation has concluded several traffic studies. Community safety is extremely important to me, which is why my team and I have been following up with DOT to ensure your inquiries are heard. For more information on how to request a traffic study, please scroll to ‘Department of Transportation Updates.’

In this week’s email, you will find information regarding upcoming events, educational opportunities for our youth, community resources, and more. We’ve also updated our ‘Legislative Corner’ with the latest updates from New York state regarding cannabis enforcement. For those interested in learning about upcoming events and community resources, please scroll to ‘What’s Happening in District 13’ and ‘Community Resources.’ 

In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us at  (718) 931-1721 or email us at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Wishing you all a beautiful and joyous weekend.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Department of Transportation Updates

I am happy to announce that the New York City Department of Transportation has approved the highly requested speed camera on Saint Theresa Avenue between Westchester Avenue and Hutchinson River Parkway East. The safety of all of our community members is of the utmost importance. If you would like to request a traffic study in your neighborhood, please email (District13@council.nyc.gov) the following information to my office: 

Traffic Study Requests

Your Name and Phone Number

Type of Request (i.e. Speed Camera, Speed Reducers, Bollards, Traffic Control Signs and Lights)

Location: Please include the exact cross streets or the closest address

Construction & Repair Advisories

Northbound Hutchinson River Parkway Full Closure

The NYC Department of Transportation Division of Bridges has announced it will close the northbound Hutchinson River Parkway place between Exit 1B: E Tremont /Westchester Ave and the northbound entrance ramp from Hutchinson River Parkway East. The closure will continue until Friday, May 19, and will take place Monday through Friday in the following stages: 

• Single Land Closure: 10 PM to 5 AM

• Full Closure: 11:30 PM to 4:30 AM

Pelham Parkway Lane Closure

The NYC Department of Design and Construction has announced lane closures on Pelham Parkway Eastbound Main Road between White Plains Road and Stillwell Avenue. This closure  will continue through Friday, May 26 and take place between 9 PM and 5 AM. This lane closure is necessary to facilitate the catch basin repair and roadway reconstruction. Please be advised this is a moving operation and there will only be restrictions to those specific areas where the work is occurring.

Corner Curbside Parking & Limited Crosswalk Access

The NYC Department of Design and Construction has announced that there will be no corner curbside parking and limited crosswalk access beginning Monday, May 1 until Friday, May 12 from 7 AM to 4 PM (weekdays only). This is to facilitate the rehabilitation of existing pedestrian ramps at the following locations:

• Northwest and Northeast corners of Gifford Ave and Swinton Ave

• Northwest and Northeast corners of Scott Place and East Tremont Ave

LEGISLATIVE CORNER

Cannabis Law and Tax Law Updates

As a part of New York State’s FY 2024 budget, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to increase the civil and tax penalties for unlicensed and illicit sales of cannabis in New York. This is the first step to addressing the proliferation of smoke shops in New York City.

The legislation (Article VII ELFA, Part UU, 2023) enables the Office of Cannabis Management and the Department of Taxation and Finance to curb the sale and/or gifting of cannabis from the many unlicensed storefronts, trucks and stands. But what else does it mean, and what should you expect? 

The OCM Enforcement Bill empowers OCM to: :

• Seize cannabis found in unlicensed businesses

• Assess civil penalties (Tax and OCM fines/penalities) against unlicensed businesses to eliminate the economic incentive of operating an unlicensed cannabis business

• Seek court-ordered injunctions, closing orders, and the removal of commercial tenants to ensure unlicensed businesses cannot continut to operate in violation of state law, and to incentivize landlords to make sure tenants are in compliance with the state law

• Direct OCM to contnue its work informing the pubic of risks of patronizing unlicensed businesses and to encourage cannabis consumers to patronize the state’s growing legal market

• Establish selling cannabis and cannabis products without a license as a Class A misdemeanor

• Empower the Department of Taxation and Finance to conduct regulatory inspetions of businesses selling cannabis and issue fines if warranted

• Establish a new tax fraud crime for when a cannabis businesses willful fairs to collect or remit required cannabis taxes, or knowingly posses for sale cannabis on which tax is required to be paid but has not paid