Testimony Of New York State Senator Thomas K. Duane Before The New York City Department Of Sanitation Regarding The Draft Scoping Document For A Draft Environmental Impact Statement
New York State’s 29th Senate District, which includes the Hudson Square neighborhood, where the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) has proposed siting the sanitation garage being discussed at today’s scoping session. I also represent portions of Manhattan Community Districts One, Two, and Five, which the facility in question is intended to serve.
With respect to the plan under consideration this evening, I am here primarily to raise concerns, many of which I have also heard from my constituents, that I hope will be addressed in the forthcoming Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
A major feature of this plan is the consolidation of three existing DSNY garages into one that will “achieve an economy of scale, replace outdated facilities, and improve operational efficiencies.” One downside of consolidation, however, is that trucks will have to travel greater distances since they are not based locally. I am curious about how much the total annual truck mileage will increase, and how that will affect the traffic congestion and air quality in the Community Districts in which the trucks travel.
Finally, if some form of this plan is ultimately approved, I hope that DSNY and the City will make efforts to maintain balance in the community, by negotiating some other type of community facility to mitigate the inconvenience the garage’s construction and usage will undoubtedly cause.