This proposed law would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to test for lead in the soil of public parks located near high-traffic roads and bridges. Research suggests that such locations may have a higher concentration of certain heavy metals, with road traffic as the source. The Department of Parks and Recreation would then remediate the lead-contaminated soil after notification by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
- Filed (End of Session)
History
Int. No. 1760
By Council Member Constantinides
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to testing for lead in the soil of public parks and remediation of lead-contaminated soil
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 1 of title 17 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 17-199.6 to read as follows:
§ 17-199.6 Testing of soil for lead in parks. a. For the purposes of this section, the term “state arterial highway” means a route or thoroughfare as described in section 349-f of the highway law.
b. The department shall:
1. Test for lead in the soil on lands under the jurisdiction of the department of parks and recreation located within 300 feet of a state arterial highway or within 300 feet of one of the bridges or tunnels that crosses over or under a body of water from one of the other four boroughs to Manhattan;
2. Convey the results of such tests to the public; and
3. Notify the department of parks and recreation.
c. The department shall post such results online and shall include:
1. Information about the concentration of lead found in the soil;
2. Whether such concentration of lead poses a risk of significant lead exposure or lead poisoning to individuals exposed to it;
3. General information about any ongoing environmental remediation efforts in parks found to contain lead; and
4. Information on how to limit the risk of lead exposure.
§ 2. Chapter 1 of title 18 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 18-154 to read as follows:
§ 18-154 Remediation of lead-contaminated soil. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the term “phytoremediation” means the use of plants and associated soil microbes to reduce the concentrations or toxic effects of contaminants in the environment.
b. Upon notification by the department of health and mental hygiene that soil on lands under its jurisdiction are contaminated with lead as provided in section 17-199.6, the department shall remediate such lead-contaminated soil using phytoremediation along with any other method the department deems appropriate.
§ 3. This local law takes effect 90 days after it becomes law.
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LS #11111
10/25/17 2:32PM