Waterfront Management Advisory Board bill Authored by Council Member Kallos Signed into Law
Channel: New York City Council Member Ben Kallos
Date: 2016-09-02

New York, NY – On Wednesday August 31, Introduction 507-A authored by Council Member Ben Kallos and Waterfronts Chair Debi Rose was signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio. The legislation reconstitutes the role of the City’s Waterfront Management Advisory Board (WMAB) to play an important part in advising New York City on how to best revitalize and protect our 520 miles of shoreline while also ensuring our waterfront investments are anchored to the priorities of our coastal communities.
As sea levels rise, New York’s economy evolves, and the city continues to recover from Hurricane Sandy, the Waterfront Management Advisory Board will help shape a changing New York. The City Charter requires the Board to produce by 2020 a vision plan for our waterfronts and resiliency through 2030, which gives the new-look Board four years to hold planning conversations with agencies and stakeholders, as well as to execute the remainder of the current vision plan.
 
Under the new legislation the Waterfront Management Advisory Board (WMAB) will:
• Meet quarterly and report on activities annually;
• Develop reports and consult or advise the Mayor or agencies upon request on industrial, commercial, residential, recreational or other use or development of wharves, waterfront property and waterfront infrastructure;
• Assist and advise in the drafting of the Comprehensive Waterfront Report upon request of City Planning;
• Convene and include Federal, State and multi-state agencies and authorities to participate as non-voting members in planning for the waterfront;
Under the new legislation the Waterfront Management Advisory Board (WMAB) membership will be as follows: 
• Membership is expanded to include diverse voices, including ex-officio offices or representatives from their staff: Mayor, Small Business Services (or Economic Development Corporation), City Planning Commission, Environmental Protection, Housing Preservation and Development, and two New York City Council Members.
• Membership is also expanded to include eighteen (18) members of the public with half appointed by the Mayor and half by the Speaker, with at least one from each borough, including representatives and advocates interested in use of the waterfront for: industrial, commercial, residential, and recreational.