Legislation Details

File #: Int 1095-2026    Version: * Name: Requiring the department of environmental protection to establish an adopt-a-catch basin program.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection and Waterfronts
On agenda: 9/24/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of environmental protection to establish an adopt-a-catch basin program
Sponsors: Nantasha M. Williams, Chi A. Ossé
Council Member Sponsors: 2
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to create and administer a city-wide adopt-a-catch basin program, in which volunteers may elect to clear one or more catch basins of debris to help to prevent street flooding. DEP would be required to create an application process via rule and enter into volunteer agreements with those individuals whose applications DEP has accepted. As part of this program, DEP would be required to provide volunteers with clearing instructions, and a means of reporting observations about adopted catch basins. Finally, DEP would be required to publish an annual report regarding the program.
Indexes: Agency Rule-making Required, Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1095, 2. Int. No. 1095, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. September 24, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 1095

 

By Council Member Williams and Ossé

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of environmental protection to establish an adopt-a-catch basin program

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Chapter 5 of title 24 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 24-535 to read as follows:

§ 24-535 Adopt-a-catch basin program. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Adopted catch basin. The term “adopted catch basin” means the catch basin designated by the department to be adopted by a volunteer participating in the adopt-a-catch basin program.

Department. The term “department” means the department of environmental protection.

Volunteer. The term “volunteer” means any natural person who enters into a volunteer agreement with the department to participate in the adopt-a-catch basin program.

b. The department shall establish a city-wide adopt-a-catch basin program that commits approved volunteers to clear debris from designated adopted catch basins. As part of such program, volunteers may apply to adopt 1 or more catch basins in a form and manner prescribed by rule.

c. Volunteerss approved by the department to participate in the adopt-a-catch basin program shall enter into a volunteer agreement with the department to participate in the program in accordance with the requirements of this section and any other requirements imposed by the department.

1. The department shall establish, and include in any volunteer agreement, a minimum level of service for adopted catch basins. Such level of service shall include clearing leaves and litter from adopted catch basin grates at least once per month, and when necessary before or after rainstorms. Such level of service shall not include inspecting or cleaning the inside of adopted catch basins.

2. The term of any volunteer agreement shall be 1 year from the date of agreement. The volunteer may apply for a renewal of the agreement no less than 30 days before the expiration of a volunteer agreement.

3. Any volunteer agreement shall hold the city harmless from liability for any damage or injury suffered by any persons resulting from the actions or activities of such volunteers while participating in the program.

d. The department shall provide volunteers with catch basin clearing instructions and an online form for reporting observations related to the performance of their adopted catch basins.

e. No later than September 17, 2027, and every September 17 thereafter, the department shall post on their website and submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council a report regarding the adopt-a-catch basin program. Such report shall include:

1. a list of adopted catch basins, with each listed by geographic coordinates;

2. a map of adopted catch basins;

3. an assessment of the program’s effect on street flooding; and

4. any barriers to participation in the program and any recommendations to increase participation.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 120 days after it becomes law.

NNB

LS # 15204/24473

8/3/2026 4:00 PM