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Press Release:

State and local governments are successfully implementing the requirements of the Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Policy Act, although there is room for improvement, a non-profit advocacy group reported today. The 2010 law is intended to achieve balanced growth through enlightened land use, appropriate development, and coordinated, results-driven infrastructure spending.

The effectiveness of New York’s Smart Growth Law was examined by Empire State Future, a state-wide consortium of 72 organizations and businesses that promotes governmental actions that incorporate Smart Growth principles. Empire State Future has monitored compliance with the statute since it became law, issuing a preliminary report in 2012 and following up with today’s findings.

The groundbreaking law is intended to advance prosperity equitably and sustainably throughout New York by targeting much of the state’s significant investments in public infrastructure projects toward urbanized areas that promote mixed-use development, reduce auto-dependent growth, support public transit, and protect working farmland and natural resources.

“The Smart Growth law is slowly becoming a critical checkpoint to prevent sprawl through direct intervention in infrastructure funding: its progress is welcome, and more is needed, “said Peter B. Fleischer, Executive Director of ESF. “The challenge New York faces as we move forward with fully realizing the law’s benefits is that many state agencies, public authorities, and public corporations still do not view themselves as subject to the statute. If they do find themselves subject to it, getting some agencies to use the necessary impact statements or to provide them publicly remains an issue of concern.

“We applaud the progress evident since our initial report in 2012, and hope that the areas of noncompliance receive the proper focus and intervention required. We urge continued progress through increased outreach, education, and awareness at all levels of government,” Fleischer added.

Operating with the non-profit, private, and government sectors since it’s founding in 2007, Empire State Future is the only state-wide organization dedicated entirely to championing the Smart Growth cause to state and local governments and the general public. It conducts educational programs and public outreach focused on promoting of the policy objectives of Smart Growth.

Today’s report states that “Empire State Future is dedicated to achieving true economic prosperity for all New Yorkers. Smart Growth is a remarkably efficient way to use progressive land use planning to effectively further environmental protection and encourage sustainable economic activity while protecting and advancing the public’s well-being. Our focus is right- sized growth that sustains jobs & stability”