By Rebecca Martin
THIS JUST IN: A new public hearing on the Microbead Ban will occur on 1/19/16 and vote by full legislature sometime before the end of January. It has been tabled for tonight. More information coming soon. But please plan to attend to encourage the legislature to pass the remaining three other resolutions.
For the past month, KingstonCitizens.org has been following and working towards the public being more aware of the importance to understand the impacts in Kingston of both the Pilgrim Pipeline and proposed Microbead ban proposal – all up for vote tonight at the Ulster County Legislature Meeting located at 244 Fair Street, 6th floor in Kingston. Public comment will begin at 6:30pm. * THIS JUST IN: Plan now is for new public hearing on 1/19/16 and vote by full legislature sometime before the end of January. TONIGHT’S vote will only include the below three resolutions.
We have attached information below on each of the resolutions with some key points for you to research before you speak. Please keep your speech to 3 minutes or less.
Thank you!
1. URGE NYSDEC ASSUME LEAD AGENCY FOR SEQR FOR PILGRIM PIPELINE PROJECT 485
Resolution No. 485 December 15, 2015
– Urging The New York State Department Of Environmental Conservation To Assume Lead Agency Status For The State Environmental Quality Review Process For The Pilgrim Pipeline Project.
In the City of Kingston were our municipality is a lead agency in SEQR for the Pilgrim Pipeline proposal, both the Mayor and Common Council voiced their concern of the Thruway Authority’s request as Lead Agency in SEQR. We were pleased to see our County Executive take the same stance, and now – the Legislature is working towards the same outcome.
It is in our best interest to support the legislature in their efforts here.
READ: Kingston Common Council unanimously rejects Thruway Authority Lead Agency in SEQR request.
THIS JUST IN: A new public hearing on the Microbead Ban will occur on 1/19/16 and vote by full legislature sometime before the end of January. It has been tabled for tonight. More information coming soon. But please plan to attend to encourage the legislature to pass the remaining three other resolutions.
2. MICROBEADS PROHIBITED IN UC 457
Resolution No. 457 December 15, 2015
– Adopting Proposed Local Law No. 14 of 2015, A Local Law Prohibiting The Sale Of Personal Care Products Containing Microbeads In Ulster County.
We are pleased that our legislature is looking to bass a bill prohibiting the sale of ALL personal care products containing Microbeads in Ulster County.
Did you know that companies who advocate for continued use of personal care products containing Microbeads include Proctor and Gamble, Mary Kay and Amway? Here are some good talking points for this evening:
- Call on the Ulster County Legislature to pass Proposed Local Law No. 14 Of 2015 “A Local Law Prohibiting The Sale Of Personal Care Products Containing Microbeads In Ulster County”
- Currently five counties have passed legislation similar to the proposed law for Ulster County. Most recently Albany County became the first in the Hudson Valley to ban the sale of Personal Care Products containing microbeads. Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Tompkins and Suffolk Counties have also passed similar legislation.
- In addition to Ulster County, three more are considering microbead ban legislation. Those counties include Putnam, Niagara, and Monroe. In addition, ban legislation is moving forward in New York City.
- I support the reasonable phase out period in the proposed Local Law No. 14., offering 180 days for compliance
- Passing this Local Law to protect our water and health further cements Ulster County’s reputation as a leader in protecting our natural resources.
- Additionally, voting to approve this bill, sends a powerful message to the State leadership that protecting our water from plastic pollution is a top priority for the citizens of New York State
Plastic microbeads in personal care products
- Plastic microbeads are an ingredient used in over 100 different personal care products on the market today, including facial scrubs, soaps, shampoos, and even toothpastes.
- Plastic microbeads are typically used as an abrasive. However, microbeads are also added to products—such as toothpaste—strictly for decorative purposes.
- Researchers estimate that a single product can contain as many as 350,000 plastic microbeads.
- Products with plastic microbeads can be identified (and avoided), when any of the following are listed as ingredients: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon or Poly(methyl) methacrylate (PMMA).
Microbeads can enter into the environment
- Products that contain microbeads are designed to be washed down the drain.
- It is estimated that 19 tons of microbeads enter the wastewater stream in NY annually.
- Microbeads can enter into waterways through sewage overflows or by passing through sewage treatment plants, which are not designed to remove such tiny particles.
- Two-thirds of NY’s sewage treatment plants do not have advanced treatment technology needed to remove microbeads. Of the other one-third of treatment plants that do have some form of advanced treatment, plant by plant analysis would be necessary to determine the efficacy of microbead removal.
- Microbeads can also pass through septic systems.
Microbeads threaten wildlife and public health
- Microbeads attract and accumulate toxic chemicals present in the water, including Poly-Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and flame retardants (i.e. PCBs).
- Microbeads can be mistaken for food and consumed by fish and wildlife.
- Ingesting plastics can result in reductions in food consumption, stunted growth, and starvation.
- When fish and aquatic life consume plastic, these chemicals are passed up the food chain to larger fish, wildlife, and ultimately humans. Exposure to these chemicals is linked to a broad range of ailments, ranging from birth defects to cancer.
Voluntary efforts alone will not solve the problem
- Safer, non-polluting alternatives (e.g. apricot shells, cocoa beans, pumice, walnut shells) can be used as abrasives in personal care products instead of plastic microbeads.
- Some companies, such as Burt’s Bees, never used plastic microbeads in their products
- Several companies, including Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oreal, The Body Shop, Unilever, and Colgate/Palmolive, have agreed to phase-out microbeads
- Some companies have set phase-out deadlines, others have not. Many others have made no commitment at all. Voluntary efforts alone will not solve the problem.
- Even if a company agrees to phase out microbeads, there is no way to ensure that they will switch to a safe, truly biodegradable alternative.
3. U&D RAIL TRAIL Policy 488
Resolution No. 488 December 15, 2015
– Amending Resolution No. 275 Of 2014, Establishing A Policy For A “Rail With Trail” Along The County-Owned Ulster And Delaware Railroad Corridor.
READ: “Kingston Land Trust – Where we stand on R488 – An Amended Policy on Rail and Trail for the U&D Corridor
4. ASHOKAN RAIL TRAIL Planning 480
Establishing Capital Project No. 459, To Provide for Design and Engineering Work for the Ulster County Rail Trail Project along the Ashokan Reservoir (“Ashokan Rail Trail”).
More information coming shortly.