New York's environment and its defenders posted some successes in this year's legislative session in Albany, but much work remains to be done.

Among the victories this year were:

• The Environmental Protection Fund Expansion Act [1], which incrementally raises monies in the fund to $300 million by 2009. Communities across the state tap the EPF to protect farmland and open space. The expansion brings us one step closer toward the goal of $500 million.
• The Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act, [2] which allows-- but does not require -- communities in Westchester and Putnam counties to create community preservation funds. Those funds would be supported by a small tax on real estate purchases, and help areas struggling with overdevelopment to retain open space and restore historic buildings.
• The New York State Sea Level Rise Task Force [3], which will draft recommendations on how coastal communities can cope with sea-level rise.

Unfortunately, many issues of concern to NYLCV did not pass. Among them were Industrial Development Agency Reform, the Historic Preservation Tax Credit, State Green Building Construction Act, the Smart Growth Infrastructure Policy Act, the bill that would advance Mayor Michael Bloomberg's trash plan and reform to the 2003 Brownfield Cleanup Program.

Perhaps most significant, both Mayor Bloomberg's bold PlaNYC legislation and Gov. Eliot Spitzer's innovative vision of Article X reform failed to move. Both are key components of NYLCV's Climate Action Agenda.

As it appears that all sides have agreed to the concept of congestion pricing, NYLCV is urging the Legislature and governor to finalize their negotiations before July 16th in order for the city to be eligible for the up to $500 million of federal funding it would receive to implement the program. In the case of Article X, NYLCV is urging that this legislation be a priority in a special session this summer.

NYLCV is also heartened that the conversation around environmental issues has been reframed this session. Success can no longer be measured in terms of the success or failure of traditional "green" legislation. Prompted by growing concerns about climate change, it is now understood that energy policy, transportation policy and smart growth are all part of the environmental agenda.