Long-term forecasts indicate that extreme weather events will become more frequent and severe as man-made changes impact the environment with resulting changes such as shrinking wetlands and warmer oceans. In coastal areas, extreme weather events will be compounded further by sea level rise. Hurricane Sandy provides only the most recent example of such an extreme weather event. Certain environmental infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment plants, was inundated and further worsened environmental damage. This hearing is intended to solicit input on potential actions to mitigate the man-made factors that contribute to extreme weather events and thereby reduce the environmental impacts of such events.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. 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. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible.

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.

Robert K. Sweeney

Member of Assembly
Chairman
Committee on Environmental Conservation

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Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing on the Environmental Causes and Effects of Extreme Weather Events are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and mail, email or fax it to: