Action for Tomorrow's Environment on Sustainability

February 4, 2004

The Honorable Andy Spano
County Executive

The Honorable Bill Ryan
Board of Legislators, Chair

The Honorable Marty Rogowsky
Board of Legislators, Chair Energy and Economic
Development and Legislation Committees

The Honorable Tom Abinanti
Board of Legislators, Chair Environment Committee

Re: Recommendations for Energy and Environmental Initiatives for 2004

Dear County Executive Spano and Legislators Ryan, Rogowsky and Abinanti:

We commend both the Westchester County executive and legislative branches on their proactive efforts to protect the environment over the last few years. County action has included many significant initiatives including the passage of the pesticide neighbor notification law and the sunset provisions for use of pesticides by the county, the Legacy program to protect open space, establishing a goal of purchasing 25% green power by 2010, a comprehensive public education campaign on water quality protection, the work on expanding and improving the trail systems in the county, the initiative to implement ISO 14001 at the airport, the expansion of recycling efforts and of the Household  Chemical Clean-up Days, and legislation to reduce mercury in the environment. All of these very significant accomplishments form an essential part of creating a sustainable future, but more work must be done and much of that work must be done at the local level. “Think globally and act locally” has never been a more apt expression of the responsibility each level of government must accept.

To implement the needed changes the executive and the legislative branch must work hand in hand, each using its own expertise and scope of authority. Input from stakeholders and the general public should be an integral part of the process.

In order to advance towards sustainability in Westchester we propose that, (1) the county adopt a resolution establishing sustainability as a measuring stick against which decisions are made, (2) that a process be commenced for the development of a consensus as to the approach to be taken by the county to achieve a sustainable future; and (3) that certain specific executive and legislative actions discussed below be undertaken in the near term to protect our environment now.

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