New York Rail-Cars for New York Waters
Coalition Meeting 6/13/02

The two main issues raised on Thursday (6/13/02) were:
1) Is the LIRR still interested in using the decommissioned rail cars as
reef material and can they render stronger assistance in bring this project
closer to fruition.
1A) Let's not rule out the "Red-Bird" cars.  If approval is granted to use
decommissioned rail cars for reef material and if the "Red-Bird" cars meet
EPA "standards" then we should take advantage of all the "material of
opportunity."

2) Thanks to the efforts of Floyd Carrington (SSMTC)  there was direct
contact with Governor Pataki regarding this project.   Floyd's contact
person indicated that the Governor was interested, unfortunately Pataki has
not officially responded to this coalitions request.  Either pro or con.
It's speculated that he fears that the environmental people will be against
this project and he rather not deal with this issue until after the election.  However, this coalition unanimously agreed that we are entitled
to an answer....NOW!!!
If we were asked to hold off until after the election, most would understand the political sensitivity of this issue and agree to wait until after November.  However nothing of this nature was conveyed to us , not even an acknowledgement that they received our letters.

Plan:
1)  We will request that the Rail Road and TA reps meet with this coalition
and discuss A) Commitment and support of this project.
B) Discuss problems associated with this project
C) Discuss further assistance, that we need, from the LIRR and/or TA to
move this project forward.

2) The "New York Rail Cars for New York Waters" has just become a campaign issue.
A) We will contact the campaign offices of Pataki, Macall, and Cuomo in the Suffolk, Nassua and NY City districts.

Pataki strategy:
Pataki's campaign officers will be inform of this coalition and that we
represent  eco-marine based businesses, trade organizations in the fishing,
diving and boating  and over 30 clubs etc. etc. etc.   Representing over
800,000 individuals, billions of dollars in economic output  etc. etc. etc.
and that we are not happy with Pataki's lack of attention to this project.

The "New York Rail Cars for New York Waters" Coalition strongly believes that a response from Albany will then be forthcoming.

B) In the McCall and Cuomo camps we will explain Pataki's lack of attention to this project and that we are looking for someone to support ONLY if they support us.

The meetings will be set-up in all three counties with all thee campaign
offices.
Alan Evelyn will take NYC, Glen Meyers will handle Nassau County and Rich Salvatore will tackle Suffolk County. Floyd Carrington will get the GOP contacts and Dave Levin will handle the Democrats.

We will inform this committee of the meeting dates and times.  We hope some of you can attend each meeting.

3)  Then DEC commissioner (Erin Crotty) will be contacted and asked to
respond to our request.  The commissioner will also be invited to attend a
coalition meeting and address this group.

4) Another part of this strategy will be to contact GE (Laura will handle
approaching GE's public relations personnel) and use their influence with
Commissioner Crotty to foster a response.   Why?? Commissioner Crotty, at one time,  worked for GE and we believe that there is still a relationship
between GE personnel and Crotty.

This basically sums up the discussion and newly developed strategy.
If anyone has any question, concerns or comments or are willing to assist
in the preceding strategy, please contact me directly via E-Mail or phone.
E-mail: John Mantione
Phone: Work (631) 654-2311 or Cell (516) 971-6753

On a bright note, Thanks to Lynne Maher (LIDDA) the Suffolk County
legislature passed a sense resolution asking Albany to accept the rail cars
and place them on approved reef sites in NY waters.

Also, Sandy Dumais has gathered data that shows the importance of
artificial reefs as feeding locations for fish, as areas that provide shelter from predators and that reefs provided essential fish spawning grounds, especially for Blackfish.  This information, when published, will provide valuable evidence validating the importance for improving existing reef sites along with the justification for increasing reef site areas.

John