Council calls for 10‑year stormwater capacity plan and dashboard to address inland flooding

Council member Jim Gennaro introduced legislation and accompanying resolutions aimed at increasing New York City’s capacity to convey stormwater and addressing inland (pluvial) flooding.

Gennaro said the city’s earlier efforts to reduce combined sewer overflow relied heavily on green infrastructure such as bioswales and rain gardens; the new bill, Intro 11‑50, would require the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a 10‑year plan with annual milestones to increase conveyance capacity where inland rainfall causes flooding. The plan would move the city beyond earlier green‑infrastructure measures to additional sewer capacity where needed. Gennaro cited the current design standard of 1.75 inches per hour for sewer systems — a standard that once represented a 5‑year storm — and said heavier and more frequent storms mean the city needs to target higher capacities in hotspots. He also noted parts of the city are effectively at lower standards (1.5 or 1.0 inches per hour), and some areas of Southeast Queens lack storm sewers entirely.

Intro 11‑50 would require DEP to set priorities, target hotspots first, and publish an online dashboard showing the status of the comprehensive stormwater plan and recommended projects and policies. Gennaro said the planning phase would take 10 years and implementation would take decades because the city has over 7,000 miles of sewer mains.

The transcript records sponsor explanation and appreciation for prior efforts and for DEP cooperation; the transcript does not record a final vote result for Intro 11‑50 or the associated resolutions.