Int 1535-2017

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Title 18 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 18-106.1 to read as follows: � 18-106.1 Tree planting; prioritization of environmental justice communities. a. As used in this section, the following terms have the following meanings: Environmental justice. The term "environmental justice" means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all persons, regardless of race, color or income, with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies. Low-income community. The term "low-income community" means a census block group, or a contiguous area comprising multiple census block groups, in which 23.59 percent or more of the population has an annual household income that is at or below the poverty level set by the United States department of health and human services. Minority community. The term "minority community" means a census block group, or a contiguous area comprising multiple census block groups, in which 51.1 percent or more of the population is non-white or Hispanic. Potential environmental justice community. The term "potential environmental justice community" means a minority or low-income community located within the city. b. Within five years after the effective date of this local law, the commissioner shall plant 100,000 trees in potential environmental justice communities. 1. Within two years after the effective date of this local law, and again within four years after such date, the commissioner shall report to the mayor and the council on the department's progress in complying with this section, including the number of trees planted to date and any common or recurring barriers to planting trees in such communities. 2. If the commissioner determines that it is not possible to meet the requirements of this section, the commissioner, within 90 days after the end of the five-year period prescribed in this section, shall report to the mayor and council the number of trees planted in potential environmental justice communities during the five-year period and the barriers that prevented the commissioner from complying with this section. � 2. This local law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law, except that the commissioner of parks and recreation may take such actions as are necessary for its implementation, including the promulgation of rules, before its effective date. HB LS #10114 3/27/2017 6:14 PM 1 1