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PortSide will use the BLUEspace News to distribute time-sensitive info about the NY-NJ waterfront that should be shared more promptly, or apart from, our regular newsletters.

Have problems with waterfront permitting in NYC? Have ideas on how to improve waterfront permitting in NYC?
Important chance to speak up this week

City Council Waterfronts Committee hearing
Wed 11/12/14 at 1:00PM
250 Broadway, 16th Floor Hearing Room
Re: One Stop Permitting for Waterfront Projects

Contact
Kris Sartori
Legislative Counsel
Tel:       212-788-9075
Fax:      212-788-9168
Email:  ksartori@council.nyc.gov

Dear Maritime industry colleagues...

We encourage the maritime industry in particular to speak up. The maritime sector is often "a silent industry" and does itself a disservice, in the words of Venetia Lannon, Regional Director, Region 2 of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), and formerly the head of the Maritime Department of NYC's Economic Development Corporation (EDC).

If you cannot attend, send an email to Kris Sartori.  If you would like to participate more confidentially, you can send questions and comments to PortSide, and we will amalgamate info and send it along without your name attached.

Background on the hearing
From the committee hearing announcement:

"The hearing will examine the waterfront permitting process.  Permitting for waterfront projects can be a complex, time-consuming and unpredictable process, with approval required for many projects from various agencies such as DEP, DOB, DEC, the State Departments of State and General Services and even the Army Corps of Engineers.  Many in the advocacy community have called for a streamlining of the process and the creation of a "one stop" source where access and information about the permits would be available. The hearing would examine the City's progress in addressing the issue as well as what the possibilities are for making the permitting process for waterfront projects more efficient and transparent."

We spoke to the Kris Sartori who says the following:
  • The focus is about construction permits, but we are open to getting comments about operating permits (docking)
  • This hearing is concurrent with an EDC RFP to create the Waterfront One Stop Permitting Resource Center.  The Council has been discussing the issues and wants to inform itself.
PortSide NewYork asks you to act
PortSide will advocate on your behalf.  PortSide was founded to help change waterfront policy in NYC and make this a more boat-friendly city, but a chorus of many voices is a stronger force for change. Please speak up.

PortSide understands the need for waterfront permitting changes in NYC.  We get it; we live it. 

We have shipboard offices on the MARY A. WHALEN which have been docked in multiple working waterfront sites where we watch, ask, listen and learn.  Many harbor people confide in us. Endeavors such as our maritime 9/11 exhibit, our Sandy recovery work, and our resiliency work on the NY Rising committee give us deep experience and insight into waterfront permit issues in NYC. Please join us in pushing for waterfront permitting improvements in NYC.
 
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