Suffolk Takes a Sustainable Step -- Holds Hearing Tomorrow on Banning Plastic Bags

By Gwynn Schroeder

The Suffolk County Legislature will hold a public hearing tomorrow (Tuesday, September 16) on I.R. 1791 – A Local Law prohibiting the distribution of plastic carryout bags by retail stores. The proposed law simply states: “No retail store, located and doing business within the County of Suffolk shall sell, give or provide plastic carryout bags to consumers.”

This is a major step in the right direction towards sustainability and we hope you will take a few moments to comment.

Written comments must be received no later than 1 PM tomorrow and can be sent to William.Lindsay@co.suffolk.ny.us . The hearing will be held at the Rose Caracappa Auditorium of the William H. Rogers Legislature Bldg., 725 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge. The Legislature will begin public hearings at 2:30 PM.

You can also write to Southold's representative, Edward Romaine, to encourage him to vote in favor of the legislation at edward.romaine@suffolkcountyny.gov .

In addition, hearings will be held on the following proposed laws that may be of interest to our readers:
I.R. 1673 – A Local Law to establish a minimum altitude for operations of helicopters.
I.R. 1769 – A Local Law to provide parking for “Clean Pass” vehicles at County facilities

To read the proposed legislation in its entirety or to view the Agenda for tomorrow’s meeting, visit the legislature’s website at http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/legis/ . Click on Online Documents/Agendas and Packets of Resolutions/September 16.