Closes lid on old way of handling NYC's waste

NEW YORK - The New York League of Conservation Voters, the political voice for New York's environmental community, welcomed an agreement between state legislative leaders and Mayor Michael Bloomberg that will allow for the construction and operation of a waste-transfer station on Manhattan's West Side.

A new waste transfer station on this site will move New York City's waste off the streets and onto barges."This agreement closes the lid on the old way of handling garbage in New York City," said Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. "It underscores how we can approach our land-use challenges creatively by integrating vital infrastructure while protecting open space and recreational uses. We applaud the Senate, Assembly and Mayor Bloomberg for their leadership and commitment to a greener, cleaner New York City."

NYLCV has played a lead role in advocating for New York City's Solid Waste Management Plan, which will more evenly distribute each borough's responsibility for its trash. The plan will decrease dependence on trucks for waste movement, relying instead on a system of rail and barge transport. It will vastly increase quality of life, reduce costs and improve air quality throughout the city.

The new agreement concerns a marine transfer station on Manhattan's West Side near Gansevoort Street. It will allow for the station to be built, while setting aside new funds for parkland along the Hudson River and keeping the Hudson River Park's bike and pedestrian paths open during construction.

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The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, policy-making and political action organization that works to make environmental protection a top priority with elected officials, decision makers, and voters by evaluating incumbent performance and endorsing and electing environmental leaders to office in New York state.