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> Environmental Community Right to Know Act
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Environmental Community Right to Know Act
Our Position: support
Bill Number: A1952
Sponsor: Karben (MS)
Legislative Session: 2006
This bill makes informational releases concerning pollutants available on the Internet.
Status
This bill is inactive in the current session.
Action Needed
Please call or write your State Assembly Member in support of this bill. To identify your State Assembly Member and his/her contact info, click here.
More information
Contact our legislative office.
Contact
Background
May 2, 2005
Memorandum of Support
In Assembly A1952 by Assembly Member Karben
Title: An Act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to enacting the “Environmental Community Right to Know Act of 2005.”
Provisions:
This bill directs the DEC Commissioner to establish an internet database of all new records of releases of any substance that has the potential to harm human health or the environment. The bill also directs the DEC to establish a data network of all releases into the air, water, land and environment that is searchable by zipcode.
Statement of Support:
Through the DEC permitting program New York State sanctions the release of pollutants into our air, water, and environment. The public has the right to know about these releases. Many records are only available through a written Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request, which can be daunting and costly due to the .25 cent per page copying fee. Due to limited staffing it can sometimes it takes weeks or months to receive a complete response. An internet database would make records more accessible. Even with access to records, it can be difficult to get a comprehensive picture of our exposure to air pollution, water pollution, and environmental contaminants. A data network searchable by zipcode will allow community members to gain a more comprehensive understanding of releases in a specific location.
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