SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

BROOKLYN
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
11:00 am
Menorah Home and Hospital
Auditorium
1516 Oriental Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York

Sheepshead Bay is an ocean inlet in Southern Brooklyn which juts out of the western end of Jamaica Bay. On shore it runs from Knapp Street to Shore Boulevard on the north, and from Seawall Avenue to Shore Boulevard on the south. The community of the same name is located on the mainland shore of the bay and has a historic connection to the shoreline. The community is mostly residential with significant restaurant and tourist facilities near the shore. The City of New York constructed the Sheepshead Piers in 1936. The first nine provide berths for charter fishing boats and a fuel tender, while Pier 10 serves as a landing site for excursion vessels. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation assumed jurisdiction over Piers 1-10 in 1994.

The waters of Sheepshead Bay continually face environmental issues that range from odor complaints and floating debris to fish kills and oil slicks. In addition, casual inspection of the private bulkheads shows many in need of repair and one that has caved into the bay. There have also been reports of emergency vessels running aground while responding to emergencies. With development along the shoreline continuing, the stresses on the bay will only increase. At present, it is unclear who is responsible for dredging of the Bay and ensuring that bulkheads along the shore are properly maintained.

The purpose of this hearing is to solicit information to help determine where ultimate responsibility for addressing the problems impacting Sheepshead Bay lies and to determine what actions should be taken to better protect the Bay. The Committee will invite witnesses representing a wide range of interests including government officials, community groups and governmental agency staff.

Oral testimony will be accepted by invitation only and limited to 10 minutes duration. 10 copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements. Written testimony will also be accepted and may be sent to the contact person listed on the reply form. In order to further publicize the hearing, please inform interested parties of the Committee's interest in receiving written testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons invited to present testimony at the public hearing on Sheepshead Bay Environmental and Shoreline Protection to be held on December 12, 2006, or who wish to submit written testimony, are requested to complete and return this reply form by December 6, 2006 by mail or fax to:

Alex Roth
Principal Legislative Analyst
New York State Assembly
Program & Counsel Staff
Capitol/ Room 520
Albany, NY 12248
e-mail: rotha@assembly.state.ny.us
(518) 455-4363
fax (518) 455-5182

(It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.)

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