S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
9057
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 31, 2022
___________
Introduced by M. of A. GALEF -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
declaring a policy of equal treatment in the development and enforce-
ment of environmental laws, regulations and policies
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 1-0101 of
the environmental conservation law is designated paragraph a and a new
paragraph b is added to read as follows:
B. IT IS FURTHER THE POLICY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK THAT ALL PEOPLE,
REGARDLESS OF RACE, CULTURE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, INCOME, GENDER IDENTITY OR
EXPRESSION, DISABILITY, OR COMMUNITY OF RESIDENCE, SHALL BE TREATED
EQUALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICIES. IT IS A BASIC RIGHT OF
ALL NEW YORKERS TO LIVE AND WORK IN SAFE, HEALTHFUL, PRODUCTIVE AND
AESTHETICALLY AND CULTURALLY PLEASING SURROUNDINGS. THIS POLICY OF ENVI-
RONMENTAL JUSTICE IS BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF FUNDAMENTAL FAIRNESS THAT
ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE FREE FROM ANY DISPROPORTIONATE EXPOSURE OR RISK OF
EXPOSURE TO POLLUTION, AND FROM THE CUMULATIVE NEGATIVE IMPACTS RESULT-
ING FROM THE DISPARATE CONCENTRATION OF POLLUTED SITES OR ENVIRONMENTAL
FACILITIES LICENSED, REGULATED OR APPROVED BY STATE AGENCIES, NOR SHOULD
PEOPLE BE DEPRIVED OF LOCALLY ACCESSIBLE OPEN SPACE OR OTHER ENVIRON-
MENTAL BENEFITS DUE TO LACK OF POLITICAL OR ECONOMIC STRENGTH.
§ 2. The opening paragraph of subdivision 3 of section 1-0101 of the
environmental conservation law is amended to read as follows:
It shall further be the policy of the state to foster, promote, create
and maintain conditions under which [man] PEOPLE and nature can thrive
in harmony with each other, and achieve social, economic and technolog-
ical progress for present and future generations by:
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03117-02-1
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