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The Department of City Planning conducts planning and zoning studies to promote strategic development in communities throughout the City. It also supports the City Planning Commission’s review each year of approximately 500 land use applications for actions such as zoning changes and disposition of City property. The Department assists both government agencies and the public by providing policy analysis and technical assistance relating to housing, transportation, community facilities, demography, and public space.
Department Environmental Protection
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) protects the environmental health, welfare and natural resources of the City and its residents. The Department manages the City’s water supply, which provides over one billion gallons of quality drinking water daily, serving over half the population of New York State, and manages 14 in-City waste water treatment plants, as well as nine treatment plants upstate. DEP also carries out federal Clean Water Act rules and regulations, handles hazardous materials emergencies and toxic site remediation, oversees asbestos monitoring and removal, enforces the City’s air and noise codes, bills and collects on almost one million water and sewer accounts, and manages Citywide water conservation programs.
Department of Parks & Recreation
The Department of Parks & Recreation maintains a municipal park system of more than 28,800 acres including nearly 1,700 parks, approximately 2,100 Greenstreet sites, more than 990 playgrounds, over 800 athletic fields, more than 550 tennis courts, 52 outdoor swimming pools, 11 indoor swimming pools, 36 recreation centers, over 600 comfort stations, 14 miles of beaches, 13 golf courses, six ice rinks, five major stadia, 15 nature centers, 13 marinas, and four zoos. The Department is also responsible for more than 500,000 street trees and two million park trees; 22 historic house museums; and over 1,100 monuments, sculptures, and historical markers.
Department of Sanitation’s Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling
The NYC Department of Sanitation’s Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling plans, implements, and evaluates the Department’s recycling, composting, and waste prevention programs.
The Department of Transportation is responsible for the condition of approximately 5,800 miles of streets and highways and 790 bridge structures, including six tunnels. DOT ensures traffic safety and mobility by mitigating the effect of construction on traffic; implementing engineering improvements; and installing and maintaining traffic signals at more than 11,800 signalized intersections, over 1.3 million signs, over 300,000 streetlights, 69 million linear feet of markings and approximately 63,000 parking meters. The Department encourages the use of mass transit by overseeing the operation of four subsidized franchise bus companies, operating the Staten Island Ferry and promoting new private ferry routes. DOT also encourages the use of alternative modes of transportation, and administers a Citywide program advancing the use of alternative fuels.
The Environmental Control Board is a type of court called an administrative tribunal. Judges hear cases, like a court. But there are important differences. The ECB only hears cases in which New York City has charged a person or business with violating City laws that protect health, safety, and a clean environment. These violations are not crimes. If you are found guilty of an ECB charge, you need to pay a fine. You may also be ordered to fix the violation(s)
Economic Development Corporation
The New York City Economic Development Corporation, a nonprofit organization operating under contract with the City of New York, is the City’s primary vehicle for economic development services. EDC serves as a catalyst for public and private initiatives that promote the City’s long-term vitality. Through affordable financing, tax exemptions and low-cost energy programs, EDC helps City businesses gain the competitive edge they need to meet their short and long-term goals.
Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation
The Office of Environmental Remediation is responsible for the implementation of the brownfield cleanup and redevelopment initiatives outlined in PlaNYC, the City’s comprehensive sustainability plan, to support environmental cleanup and economic redevelopment. In August 2010, Mayor Bloomberg launched the New York City Brownfield Cleanup Program (NYC BCP), the nation’s first municipal cleanup program, which offers oversight and liability protection to developers and property owners for sites with light to moderate contamination. OER’s Brownfield Incentive Grant (BIG) program provides financial incentives and technical support to developers and community organizations. OER also directs the NYC E-Designation Review Program for Hazardous Materials, Air Quality, and Noise and conducts brownfield educational workshops and outreach activities to support meaningful community engagement in brownfields redevelopment.
Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination
The Office of Environmental Coordination assists City agencies in carrying out their environmental review responsibilities. OEC also serves as the repository for City Environmental Quality Review documents, coordinates the City’s brownfields efforts, serves as the City’s liaison to state and federal agencies on environmental matters, and advises the Mayor on matters of environmental policy.
Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management
The Office of Emergency Management coordinates and supports multiagency responses to, and regularly monitors, emergency conditions and other potential incidents that affect public health and safety in the City, including severe weather, natural hazards and disasters, power outages, transportation incidents, labor disruptions, aviation disasters, and acts of terrorism. OEM educates residents and businesses on the need for preparedness and supports the efforts of City and other government agencies and private and non-profit entities in emergency planning, interagency training, and exercises and business continuity planning. OEM operates the City’s Emergency Operations Center and makes recommendations to the Mayor about the City’s emergency response capabilities. As the City’s primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for consequence management, the Office oversees the City’s compliance with federal preparedness and emergency response requirements.
The Mayor’s Office of Operations undertakes projects that support the goals of NYC Simplicity, the City’s plan to make government more customer-focused, innovative, and efficient. The Office of Operations works to make a government of over 40 agencies and 200,000 employees more cost effective and coordinated in carrying out its day-to-day business, and more accessible to the 8 million residents the City serves. The Office of Operations also monitors the performance of all City agencies, holding each agency accountable for providing high quality services and making data about the City’s performance readily available to the public.
NYC Service is meeting its goals to make New York City the easiest place in the world to volunteer, target volunteer efforts to address the most pressing local challenges, and promote service as a core part of what it means to be a New Yorker. NYC Service aims to drive volunteer resources to six impact areas where New York City’s needs are greatest: strengthening communities, helping neighbors in need, improving education, increasing public health, enhancing emergency preparedness and protecting our environment.