Governor Hochul Announces Central Business District Tolling Program Final Environmental Assessment and Draft 'Finding of No Significant Impact' Now Available

 

Milestone in Process Toward Authorization of Nation's First Central Business District Tolling Program; Would Improve Regional Air Quality, Tackle New York City's Severe Congestion Problem and Deliver Critical Capital Funding for Transit

Updates to Environmental Assessment Build on Commitments to Environmental Justice Communities

Release of Documents Begins 30-Day Period of Formal Document Availability for Public Notice

Traffic Mobility Review Board to Work on Recommendations on Toll Rates and Structure

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York State Department of Transportation and New York City Department of Transportation have released the Final Environmental Assessment for the Central Business District Tolling Program and a draft "Finding of No Significant Impact," prepared by the Federal Highway Administration.

"This is a significant milestone, bringing us closer to a future where New Yorkers have cleaner air, better public transit and less traffic clogging our streets," Governor Hochul said. "This program is critical to New York City's long-term success, ensuring our commuters and businesses are able to grow and thrive."

Today's release of the documents begins a 30-day period in which they are formally available for public review online here. Those who prefer hard copies may view them at locations listed on the website. After the 30 days elapse, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will make its final decision, completing its review of the potential environmental effects of allowing the Central Business District Tolling Program. Following entry into a tolling agreement with the Federal Highway Administration, tolling could begin up to 310 days later, during which contractors would design, build, test and activate tolling equipment.

During that period, a six-member Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) would develop recommended toll rates along with any potential discounts, crossing credits and/or exemptions. The recommendation would be presented to the MTA Board acting in its legal capacity as the board of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, the MTA agency that would collect the tolls. Following the filing and publication of a proposed tolling structure and a public comment period, the MTA would hold a public hearing before any tolling structure is adopted.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, "The federal government has given congestion pricing another green light, and we're ready to get it done right. This about more than reducing traffic. We'll invest in our transit system and clean up the air in the most polluted communities. Building a stronger future means ensuring progress includes everyone, and we don't push consequences into overlooked communities. This plan will serve all New Yorkers and won't leave anyone behind. I want to thank U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, Governor Hochul, Congressman Torres, and all of the advocates who kept their foot on the gas in moving this forward."

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, "Congestion pricing means less traffic, safer streets, cleaner air, more economic opportunity, and better transit."

The Final Environmental Assessment Builds on Previous Commitments to Environmental Justice Communities

Together, the MTA and two departments of transportation are committing $207.5 million over five years for mitigation measures largely focused on environmental justice (EJ) communities and populations. This includes a $47.5 million set aside for a new low-income discount and $5 million for additional monitoring of traffic, air quality, and transit station elements.

As reflected in the Final Environmental Assessment, the mitigation measures would address potential adverse effects in environmental justice communities. New commitments in the Final Environmental Assessment include:

• A low-income driver discount program would provide a 25% discount for low-income frequent drivers on the full CBD E-ZPass toll rate after the first 10 trips in each calendar month (excluding the overnight period)
• Taxis and for-hire-vehicles may not be tolled more than once a day
• Regional mitigation measures
  • Provide a discount of at least 50% on the peak toll for trucks and other vehicles from at least 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.
  • Expand NYC DOT's Clean Trucks Program to accelerate the replacement of old diesel trucks to lower-emission vehicles
  • Expand NYC DOT's Off-Hours Delivery Program
• Place-based mitigation measures
  • Retrofit refrigeration trailers (TRUs) at Hunts Point Market from dirty diesel to clean hybrid diesel
  • Expand electric truck charging infrastructure
  • Renovate parks and expand vegetative barriers along highways in EJ communities
  • Install air filtration units in schools near highways
  • Expand the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's asthma case management program in schools and establish a new asthma center in the Bronx

The TMRB may recommend policies related to discounts and exemptions that go beyond the commitments in the EA.

These commitments are an expansion from the commitments earlier outlined such as prioritizing the electrification of bus depots located in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan EJ communities, providing a tax credit for low-income CBD residents with adjusted gross income less than $60k and eliminating the $10 E-ZPass tag deposit fee. For the full list of commitments, see here.

Program Benefits

Across the 28-county area studied in the environmental review, the assessment finds that of those who commute to work in Manhattan's Central Business District (CBD), only 11% drive and 85% use public transportation. By reducing congestion and creating revenue for public transportation, the program would benefit millions of people every day. Through the new package of mitigations, the program will also significantly invest in air quality in environmental justice communities.

Less traffic congestion. New York is among the most congested cities in the United States. Congested streets slow down buses, delay delivery services, raise the cost of doing business, and degrade our quality of life. The Environmental Assessment estimates a roughly 15-20% reduction in the number of vehicles entering the Central Business District, or about 110,000 to 143,000 fewer vehicles daily, about as many as enter Manhattan on the Brooklyn Bridge today.

New York City buses serve a greater share of low-income and minority households compared to other modes of transportation, including subways. Local bus speeds have declined 28% in the Central Business District since 2010 and Select Bus Service in Manhattan is 19% slower than Select Bus Service in other boroughs. While ongoing MTA initiatives such as the bus network redesigns have shown improvement in speeds, congestion pricing would not only improve travel times for bus service, but also paratransit service.

A more equitable, accessible transit system. The program would generate net revenues sufficient to leverage $15 billion for the MTA's 2020-2024 Capital Program which includes transformational projects. The MTA's transit system, and particularly the bus network, promotes equity by serving low-income and minority communities. The funding would allow the MTA to progress on its aggressive timeline of completing accessibility improvements, along with performing necessary state-of-good repair work to the more-than-a-century old transit system.

A healthier, more sustainable future. Congestion pricing would improve overall regional air quality with one of the most comprehensive plans the region has implemented to support a greener future. The environmental assessment found in all tolling scenarios an overall decrease in vehicle-miles traveled in the Central Business District and region overall, and that the program would encourage some commuters to shift from their vehicles to transit.

Outreach and Community Engagement Unprecedented in Scope

Over the course of the environmental review process, the Project Partners held 19 early outreach sessions, of which nine were focused on environmental justice communities, 10 meetings with Environmental Justice Technical Advisory and Stakeholder Working Groups, and six public hearings after the release of the draft Environmental Assessment in August 2022. Nearly 950 speakers participated in early outreach sessions and public hearings, combined. Additional meetings were held separately for elected officials, community boards, transit and environmental advocates, and other interested parties.

The MTA and two departments of transportation received and responded to more than 22,000 individual comments and more than 55,000 form submissions. There were more than 25,000 views cumulatively of online videos of the public hearings.

The Environmental Assessment's Study Area

Incorporating and documenting all public input, the Final Environmental Assessment analyzes the impact of Central Business District Tolling on traffic congestion, transit, air quality and numerous other environmental indicators in 28 counties across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The Study Area contains 22 million people, including 12.3 million residents residing in environmental justice communities, and five Tribal Nations.

The Environmental Assessment assesses impacts to traffic and public transportation for a regional transportation network with 28.8 million journeys per average weekday, 61,000 highway linkage points, 4,600 traffic analysis zones, 44,267 bus stops or transit stations, 4,170 transit routes, and more than a dozen public transportation providers in addition to the MTA, including NJ TRANSIT, PATH, ferries, and regional bus systems including Westchester County Bee-Line, NICE, and Suffolk County Transit.

Background on the Central Business District Tolling Program

The Central Business District Tolling Program was mandated by the State in April 2019 and modeled on urban congestion pricing programs around the world to reduce traffic congestion and raise needed revenue to improve public transportation. The program would charge vehicles a toll for traveling in Manhattan south of and inclusive of 60th Street, excluding through-traffic on the Franklin D. Roosevelt Drive, West Side Highway, Battery Park Underpass, and roadway portions of the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connecting to West Street.

Governor Hochul Announces Construction Of 698-Unit Development At 405-407 West 206th Street In Inwood, Manhattan

 

This week Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of construction on a $416 million residential development in Inwood, Manhattan. The two-building, mixed-income project at 405 and 407 West 206th Street will bring nearly 700 apartments with 281 affordable units with free broadband internet, all-electric heating and cooling, and other sustainable features in line with the state’s climate goals. The development is a joint venture among LMXD affiliate of L+M Development Partners, MSquared, and Taconic Partners with the Community League of the Heights as the community sponsor, and Beyer Blinder Belle Architects responsible for design.

“My administration is fighting to ensure every New Yorker has the opportunity to live in a safe, secure, sustainable home in a thriving community like Inwood,” Governor Hochul said. “This development will not only create new homes but will also provide essential services and amenities that increase quality of life and boost the economy for the entire community.”

405 and 407 West 206th Street are part of Governor Hochul’s $25 billion comprehensive housing plan that will create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with supportive services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes that currently use carbon emissions.

“Mixed-use, energy-efficient developments like 405-407 206th Street are critical for addressing our city’s housing needs and help ensure that our communities are built to thrive,” said George Tsapelas, senior vice president of Taconic Partners. “With the addition of nearly 700 homes, vital community resources and cultural amenities, all built with an eye towards sustainable design, residents will have a high-quality, accessible place to call home.”

Together the buildings will have a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Forty percent of the apartments are reserved for residents earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). An additional 10 percent of apartments will have rents restricted up to 30 percent of 120 percent of AMI and be subject to NYC rent stabilization guidelines. The remaining units will be designated as market rate.

Residents will have access to an expansive suite of shared amenities including landscaped courtyards, an attended lobby, multiple roof decks, a fitness center, coworking spaces, lounge spaces, and music rehearsal rooms. The complex will also house a supermarket under the city of New York’s Food Retail Expansion to Support Health Program program, as well as retail space, parking, and an immigrant-centered performing arts center to be owned and operated by the People’s Theatre Project.

The project meets the new sustainability standards established by New York State Homes and Community Renewal in 2022, which promote healthier living environments and highly efficient buildings. It also supports the goals set by the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and will pursue a LEED BD+C Silver certification.

Financing for the affordable portion of the new development includes nearly $70 million in low income housing tax credit equity and nearly $82 million in tax-exempt bonds and almost $182 million in taxable bonds provided by New York State Homes and Community Renewal. In addition, the project applicant is applying for an estimated $39.5 million in tax credits following work completed to investigate and clean up contamination under Department of Environmental Conservation oversight as part of the state’s successful Brownfield Cleanup Program.

VCJC News & Notes 5/12/23

Van Cortlandt Jewish Center
News and Notes

Here's this week's edition of the VCJC News and Notes email. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful! Reminders Shabbos Shabbos information is, as always, available on our website, both in the information sidebar and the events calendar. Here are the times you need:   Shabbos Candles Friday 5/12/23 @ 7:45 pm Shabbos morning services at 8:40 am.  Please join the services if you can do so safely.  Shabbos Ends Saturday 5/13/23 @ 8:49 pm   Would you prefer to get the Center Light via email?  We are considering offering the Center Light by email (as an alternative).  It might be as a pdf, which might not work very well on mobile devices.  It might be as highlights or summaries with links to read more.  It could be a different format than that.  We are soliciting your input about this.  You can respond to this newsletter and tell us: if you prefer postal mail or would like email instead, if you would find pdf acceptable or would prefer a more mobile-friendly format, if you think this is a good idea (to save money and make the Center Light more accessible) or a terrible idea. Thanks in advance for your feedback. We got a few answers last week, but not enough. Let us know.  3. Shiurim on the website There are now several audio shiurim on the VCJC website. You can access them via the right column on any page or the blog summary page.  Let us know how you like them or if you have any suggestions for how they are presented.  Van Cortlandt Jewish Center 3880 Sedgwick Ave Bronx, NY 10463

NYC COUNCIL PASSES PUBLIC ADVOCATE’S ‘WORST LANDLORD LAW’ TO PREVENT FRAUDULENT REPAIRS AND INCREASE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS

Today the New York City Council voted to pass Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams’ Worst Landlord Law to help prevent fraudulent repairs by bad landlords and increase accountability for failure to correct hazardous violations, including by increasing financial penalties. The bill is part of the Worst Landlord Accountability Act, a two-bill package which comes out of the Public Advocate’s annual Worst Landlord Watchlist.

Within the current system, landlords are often able to self-certify their own repairs without city verification – and frequently, they falsely certify that violations have been corrected. The legislation passed today will restrict bad actors who own the worst buildings in the city from engaging in this deceptive practice. 

“"Last year’s Worst Landlord Watchlist saw the most violations in its history as buildings deteriorate and rents rise under landlords who put profit over people,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams ahead of the vote. “They exploit loopholes to shamelessly dodge accountability and avoid repairs, while tenants suffer. Passing this Worst Landlord law will prevent the worst owners in the city from self-certifying repairs that haven’t been made, and increase penalties for failing to fix violations so that fines aren’t just part of the cost of doing business. Our list is designed in part to shame the worst landlords in the city — but for owners who are shameless in their negligence, this law will hold them to account and deliver relief to countless tenants facing unlivable conditions.”

Intro 583-A, which was passed by overwhelming majority today, would increase the penalties for many violations issued by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development related to registration failures, hazardous conditions, and false certification. In addition, HPD would be required to annually identify 100 buildings based on criteria such as the number of hazardous or immediately hazardous violations that have been falsely certified as corrected. Hazardous or immediately hazardous violations issued to buildings on the list would not be deemed corrected unless HPD has attempted at least two re-inspections, or those violations are excluded from the calculation for identifying the 100 buildings.

The Public Advocate's Worst Landlord Watchlist spotlights the top 100 most egregiously negligent landlords in New York City as determined by widespread and repeated violations in buildings on the list. These bills, the second of which would mandate faster inspections and repairs for the most hazardous violations, are aimed at correcting and preventing disingenuous tactics used by some of those landlords in order to remove themselves from the list. 

Together, the legislation in the Worst Landlord Accountability Act will help tenants get the repairs they need, make the worst landlords pay for their negligence and deception, and show that there are consequences for the conduct that puts landlords on the Watchlist.

 

Bronx Week Veterans Appreciation Luncheon

 

This was the first Bronx Week scheduled event after the introduction of Bronx Week. The Veterans Appreciation Luncheon is a favorite of all the members of the Armed Forces and of all wars which the United States sent troops to fight in. In the front was the special table that is set up to remember those who did not return from fighting to protect the country. 

Mr. Gary Axelbank has been the emcee of this Bronx Week event, and did his usual excellent job of introducing speakers and honorees. After the singing of the National Anthem by veteran Belinda Barnes the invocation was given by Bishop Rosario, and there was a moment of silence as the names of fallen soldiers were read from the previous year. Mr. Axelbank then acknowledged Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguero, the representatives of other elected officials, he then introduced Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. 

Bronx Borough President said "Today we gather to celebrate and appreciate the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces". She then called out the various branches of the armed forces to hear those members respond, and the loudest cheer came from those that had served in the U.S. Army. She introduced her Veterans Advisory Committee, and mentioned that she is trying to have the city council declare November as Veterans Appreciation Month so veterans are appreciated for not just one day, but an entire month. BP Gibson introduced Joe Mondello the chair of her Veterans Advisory Committee. Mr. Mondello explained the importance of the empty table at the front to remember the soldier who did not return from wars to protect the country. 

Vivian De Cohen the Director New York State Veterans Services, James Hendon of the NYC Department of Veterans Services, Balavenkatesh Kanna MD, MPH the director of the Bronx VA Medical Center, and Wendy McClinton CEO of the Black Veterans for Social Justice (who was the keynote speaker) all spoke, and then it was time for the Honoree Recognition. The five Honorees were Mrs. Roxanne Gonzalez-Jimenez, Courtney Lanier, Dondi McKellar USN(MST),Sidney T. Clark, and Ed Deglomini.  

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson then gave closing remarks and called to the podium Pastor Jay Gooding for the closing prayer. Bronx Week runs through Sunday when the Bronx Week Parade, Food Festival and Concert take place along the Grand Concourse from East 167th Street through East 158th Street. Go to Ilovethebronx.com for the calendar of events for Bronx Week 2023.

 

Veteran Belinda Barnes sings the National Anthem.

The names of fallen veterans from the previous year are read during the moment of silence.

The empty table that is set up to remember the soldiers who did not return from their service to the country.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson welcomes everyone, and wanted to see which branch of the armed forces they served in.

Borough President Gibson introduced her Veterans Advisory Council, led by Joe Mondello who explained the reason for the empty table at the front. 

The honorees (L - R) Courtney Lanier, Sidney T. Clark, Ed Deglomini, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Dondi McKellar, and Mr. Roxanna Gonzalez-Jimenez.  

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson with Pastor Jay Gooding who gave the closing prayer. 

Mayor Adams, NYC DCAS's New York City Government Hiring Halls Reaches Milestone of 1,000 Job Offers to New Yorkers

 

City’s Hiring Halls Have Brought Agencies Directly to New Yorkers They Serve

 On Average, 46% of Featured Jobs at City Hiring Halls Result in a Same-Day Offer

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock today announced that more than 1,000 jobs have been offered to New Yorkers as part of the city’s ongoing hiring events, dubbed New York City government hiring halls. Spearheaded by DCAS, these weekly events are designed to address unprecedented employment challenges and fortify the city’s workforce by bringing opportunities directly to the communities we serve. Job seekers are afforded a unique opportunity to engage with municipal agencies, interview for roles, and receive same day job offers without ever leaving their neighborhood. Thus far, the city has hosted eight events and has seen over 6,000 job seekers. 

 

“We are an out-front, community-driven administration that believes in bringing city government to the neighborhoods they serve — and we are proud these efforts have borne fruit, with our 1,000^th job offer being made today,” said Mayor Adams. “New Yorkers know the type of services they want and expect from their city agencies, and there is no better way to deliver those services than by signing up to work for the city. We are proud to have reached this major milestone thanks to the tireless work of our team at DCAS, DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido, and all our partners in government.”

 

"We are thrilled to welcome these new civil servants to the Adams Administration to help us Get Stuff Done," said New York City First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. "I want to congratulate the Department of Citywide Administrative Services for their leadership and reaching the milestone of 1,000 job offers. Together with our DC 37 partners, this Administration is leading the way to bring New Yorkers from every community into public service."

 

"We are providing a unique opportunity to New Yorkers who want to build a career in public service by bringing jobs directly to them in their communities and breaking down barriers to municipal employment, civil service, and the middle class," said NYC DCAS Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “This is how we strengthen our workforce, how we invest in our communities, and how we make city government work for all New Yorkers. I'd like to thank Mayor Adams for his leadership, DC 37's Executive Director Henry Garrido, the New York City Council Members, and especially our team at DCAS who has worked tirelessly to coordinate these events weekly." 

 

"It is clear that New Yorkers are eager to join our municipal workforce, but we have to provide them opportunities and facilitate their hiring,” said New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Our NYC Government Hiring Halls are critical to ensuring city agencies have the capacity to effectively provide the services that people in our city need. I thank the Adams Administration and DC 37 for their partnership, and all of my Council colleagues for co-sponsoring these events in their districts."

 

“The increasing impact of the City’s vacancies on their ability to provide services required an innovative and proactive approach that streamlined the process for filling positions. The success of these hiring halls is a clear picture of the demand for reliable employment in New York City— and the desire to work in public service. We’re grateful for the partnership with Mayor Adams and the incredible staff at DCAS for making these hiring halls come to life,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry A. Garrido.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting impacts on the city’s workforce, and the city faces hiring challenges that have been felt nationwide. To aggressively address this crisis, the administration has worked in close coordination and collaboration with DC 37, New York City’s largest municipal public union, and the City Council to bring weekly hiring events to communities around New York City. Unlike a traditional job fair, these hiring halls present a unique opportunity to job seekers where they can interview with an agency and receive a same day offer.

 

Since February, the city has hosted eight hiring events from the South Bronx to the North Shore of Staten Island, as well as communities in Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Each week, 10-21 agencies participate and bring specific job titles to each event that they need filled. Participating agencies have included DCAS, Department of Social Services, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Administration for Children Services, Department of Education, Department of Sanitation, and more. These roles range from hourly jobs to entry-level salaried positions, and even engineering roles paying more than six figures. The breadth of opportunity includes work in social services, civilian roles at NYPD and the Department of Corrections, administrative and clerical titles, engineering, inspections, and more. Job seekers who attend can also walk away with a wealth of information about the civil service exam process, internships, fellowships, and have their resume reviewed and provided on-site career advisement.

 

Weekly, the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities (MOPD) is on-site at the hiring halls to provide information on the 55-a program which charts a path for people living with disabilities into civil service. In addition to career opportunities, these events also now feature voter registration tables where people can register to vote and receive in-person information about the process. The weekly hiring halls are a hub for information that covers more than just job opportunities.

 

The city is taking a multi-pronged approach to fortifying the city’s workforce. In addition to the hiring halls, DCAS has been hosting Citywide Hiring Pools to reduce the cycle time associated with civil service lists, standardizing pre-hire and onboarding processes to shorten and streamline the city’s hiring policy and process changes. Additionally, the agency has been prioritizing the modernization of civil service, including revising minimum qualification requirements for entry level titles to prioritize practical skills and experiences needed to serve the public over strict educational requirements.

 

DCAS regularly hosts other recruitment events including Civil Service 101 sessions where information is provided to job seekers about the civil service process. The agency has also been hosting employer readiness and New York City government readiness workshops to help prepare job seekers and employers on how to navigate the hiring halls and strive for successful outcomes. These workshops take place on a weekly basis. Additionally, recruitment events are conducted both virtually and in-person throughout New York City. For more information on employment opportunities with the city of New York, job seekers should subscribe to DCAS’s monthly NYC Jobs newsletter.

 

With competitive salaries, healthcare, pensions, and many roles offering union benefits, working for the city is a pathway to economic mobility and the middle class. city employment is an equalizer that promotes equity, fairness, and diversity.

 

“Even years after the height of COVID-19, many New Yorkers are still reeling from the devastating impact the pandemic had on our economy and our neighborhoods,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “With the unemployment rate in the Bronx over 5%, it is imperative that we continue to work with our city partners and city agencies to get our residents employed with a stable income to support themselves and their families. I want to thank Mayor Adams and DCAS for their work in hosting NYC Government Hiring Halls throughout the city and commitment to ensuring every New Yorker has a pathway to a job and potential career.”

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

 

The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:



•   Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees
•   Managing 55 public buildings
•   Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property
•   Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies
•   Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country
•   Leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations

Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas or by following us on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.

Fifth Defendant Sentenced To 48 Months In Prison For Large-Scale Trafficking Of Rhinoceros Horns And Elephant Ivory And Heroin Conspiracy

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that ABDI HUSSEIN AHMED, a citizen of Kenya, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for conspiring to traffic large quantities of rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory — both protected wildlife species — worth millions of dollars that involved the illegal poaching of more than approximately 35 rhinoceros and more than 100 elephants, as well as for conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.  The sentence was imposed earlier today by U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods.

AHMED is the fifth and final member of these conspiracies to be sentenced in a case prosecuted over the course of several years, and which has involved the extradition of multiple individuals from several countries in Africa.  AHMED’s co-conspirators were previously sentenced to substantial prison terms by Judge Woods.  Specifically, MOAZU KROMAH, a/k/a “Ayoub,” a/k/a “Ayuba,” a/k/a “Kampala Man,” a citizen of Liberia, was sentenced to a prison term of 63 months; AMARA CHERIF, a/k/a “Bamba Issiaka,” a citizen of Guinea, was sentenced to a prison term of 57 months; MANSUR MOHAMED SURUR, a/k/a “Mansour,” a citizen of Kenya, was sentenced to a prison term of 54 months; and BADRU ABDUL AZIZ SALEH, a/k/a “Badro,” a citizen of Kenya, was sentenced to a prison term of 42 months.

According to the charging and other documents filed in the case, as well as statements made in court proceedings:

KROMAH, CHERIF, SURUR, and AHMED were members of a transnational criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in Uganda and surrounding countries that was engaged in the large-scale trafficking and smuggling of rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory, both protected wildlife species.  Trade involving endangered or threatened species violates several U.S. laws, as well as international treaties implemented by certain U.S. laws.

From at least in or about December 2012 through at least in or about May 2019, KROMAH, CHERIF, SURUR, and AHMED conspired to transport, distribute, sell, and smuggle at least approximately 190 kilograms of rhinoceros horns and at least approximately 10 tons of elephant ivory from or involving various countries in East Africa, including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Senegal, and Tanzania, to buyers located in the United States and countries in Southeast Asia.  Such weights of rhinoceros horn and elephant ivory are estimated to have involved the illegal poaching of more than approximately 35 rhinoceros and more than approximately 100 elephants.  In total, the estimated average retail value of the rhinoceros horns involved in the conspiracy was at least approximately $3.4 million, and the estimated average retail value of the elephant ivory involved in the conspiracy was at least approximately $4 million.

Typically, the defendants exported and agreed to export the rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory for delivery to foreign buyers, including a buyer represented to be in Manhattan, in packaging that concealed the rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory in, among other things, pieces of art such as African masks and statues.  The defendants received and deposited payments from foreign customers that were sent in the form of international wire transfers, some of which were sent through U.S. financial institutions, and paid in cash.

On or about March 16, 2018, law enforcement agents intercepted a package containing a black rhinoceros horn sold by the defendants that was intended for a buyer represented to be in Manhattan: 

From in or about March 2018 through in or about May 2018, the defendants offered to sell additional rhinoceros horns of varying weights, including horns weighing up to approximately seven kilograms.  On or about July 17, 2018, law enforcement agents intercepted a package containing two rhinoceros horns weighing over five kilograms that were sold by the defendants and intended for a buyer represented to be in Manhattan:

Separately, from at least in or about August 2018 through at least in or about May 2019, SURUR, AHMED, and SALEH conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a large quantity of heroin to a buyer represented to be located in New York.

KROMAH was arrested in Uganda on June 12, 2019, and expelled to the United States on June 13, 2019.  CHERIF was arrested in Senegal on June 7, 2019, and extradited to the United States on April 2, 2020.  SURUR was arrested in Kenya on July 29, 2020, and extradited to the United States on January 25, 2021.  SALEH was arrested in Kenya on May 30, 2022, and extradited to the United States on June 17, 2022.  AHMED was arrested in Kenya on August 1, 2022, and extradited to the United States on September 3, 2022.  The defendants all have been detained since their arrest and arrival in this country.

KROMAH, 53, of Liberia; CHERIF, 58, of Guinea; SURUR, 62, of Kenya; and AHMED, 49, of Kenya, each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking.  In addition, KROMAH and CHERIF both pled guilty to two counts of wildlife trafficking.  SALEH, 52, of Kenya, SURUR, and AHMED each pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and he thanked law enforcement authorities and conservation partners in Uganda and Kenya, including the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the Uganda Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the Uganda Police Force, the Kenya Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and the Kenyan Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, for their assistance in this investigation.  Mr. Williams also thanked the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs and the Department of State for their invaluable assistance, which made it possible to secure the arrest and return of these five defendants from Kenya, Senegal, and Uganda to the United States.

Joint Statement from Climate Action Council Co-Chairs Basil Seggos, DEC Commissioner, and Doreen Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA On EPA’s Proposed New Carbon Pollution Standards for Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants:

 

  

We applaud Administrator Regan and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for taking action today to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants. It is imperative for national climate advancement that EPA finalizes regulations that create an effective program for reducing power plant emissions.

By continuing to utilize the authority granted to EPA under the federal Clean Air Act, if finalized, today’s actions will complement State efforts, including under the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and development of New York’s economy-wide Cap-and-Invest Program, to reduce emissions and combat climate change as directed by New York’s nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

We’re proud to continue to work closely with the EPA to reduce emissions and ensure a cleaner, greener environment for future generations. We look forward to reviewing the details of this complex suite of proposals.