File #: Res 0512-2004    Version: * Name: Plant trees in the communities of color, low income and highest rates of asthma.
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Parks and Recreation
On agenda: 8/12/2004
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the United States Department of the Interior, the New York State and City Parks Departments and private sector nurseries to plant trees in communities of color, communities of low income and communities with the highest asthma rates, that have historically had the fewest tree plantings.
Sponsors: Helen D. Foster, Tracy L. Boyland, Yvette D. Clarke, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Alan J. Gerson, Letitia James, John C. Liu, Annabel Palma, Bill Perkins, Philip Reed, Joel Rivera, James Sanders, Jr., Jose M. Serrano, Robert Jackson, Betsy Gotbaum
Council Member Sponsors: 15
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Economic Impact Study, 3. Hearing Transcript, 4. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 9/28/04
Res. No. 512
 
 
Resolution calling upon the United States Department of the Interior, the New York State and City Parks Departments and private sector nurseries to plant trees in communities of color, communities of low income and communities with the highest asthma rates, that have historically had the fewest tree plantings.
 
 
By Council Members Foster, Boyland, Clarke, Comrie, Gerson, James, Liu, Palma, Perkins, Reed, Rivera, Sanders, Serrano, Jackson and The Public Advocate (Ms. Gotbaum)
 
Whereas, The Unites States Department of the Interior, the New York State and City Parks Departments and private sector nurseries have resources to plant trees in communities of color, communities of low income and communities with the highest asthma rates, that have historically had the fewest tree plantings; and
Whereas, According to a 1995 census of street trees published by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation's (DPR) Central Forestry Division, there are approximately 500,000 street trees in New York City, with 219,000 in Queens, 112,000 in Brooklyn, 75,000 on Staten Island, 48,000 in the Bronx and 48,000 in Manhattan; and
Whereas, The highest rates of asthma are generally in communities of color and low income according to a report by the United States Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention dated February 27, 2004; and
Whereas, According to a press release by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued May 4, 2003, one method to relieve asthma, a major disease affecting 300,000 children and 700,000 adults in New York City, the leading cause of hospitalization among children 14 years of age and younger and a cause of limited physical activity in adults and absenteeism from work, is to provide additional oxygen through the planting of trees; and
Whereas, The organization Greening for Breathing has been partnering with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation to use $125,000 in funds from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the federal government to plant a "Green Ring" around residential parts of the Hunts Point industrial area to shield residents from truck fumes and other hazards to clean air; and
Whereas, Governor Pataki announced during his State of the State address in January, 2004, that the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will plant thousands of trees in urban neighborhoods throughout the State to assist local communities in saving energy, creating new habitats, raising property values and improving the overall quality of life; now, therefore be it
Resolved, that the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Department of the Interior, the New York State and City Parks Departments and private sector nurseries to plant trees in communities of color, communities of low income and communities with the highest asthma rates, that have historically had the fewest tree plantings.
 
 
 
 
LS# 1431
THC - 8/4/04