Legislator Hahn Re-Appointed to Head Environmental and Planning Committee

Suffolk County Legis. Kara Hahn, D-Setauket, has been re-appointed to head the legislature's Environment, Planning and Agricultural Committee, the legislature announced Thursday.

In her capacity as chairwoman, she will have direct oversight of the Suffolk County’s planning division, Planning Commission and issues that deal with the local environment including land acquisition, water quality improvement,  farmland protection, smart growth planning, and more.

In a statement, Hahn said the county legislature "will be challenged to make decisions that will help us achieve a cleaner, stronger and more prosperous tomorrow."

"We have many important policy decisions ahead of us, and I look forward to working with my fellow legislators in setting a course to be stronger protectors of our drinking water and our bays and waterways,” she said.

During 2012, Hahn authored several resolutions falling under the EPA category:

• Resolution 149, which mandates that the county consider "green methodologies" for certain public works projects;
• Resolution 244, which banned the acceptance of hydrofracking wastewater in Suffolk;
• Resolution 310, which created a memorial arbor program for county parks;
• Resolution 313, which mandates donating any extra catch basin inserts to towns and villages for the purpose of filtering stormwater runoff;
• Resolution 877, which paves the way for possible acquisition of open space at the Detmer Farm in Setauket;
• Introductory Resolution 1929, which strengthens parameters for safely disposing of expired or unused medications;
• Resolution 298, which remains in front of the EPA Commitee, would require County land acquisitions to be evaluated using a uniform rating system.

Hahn will also sit on the Economic Development and Energy Committee for the first time, and will continue her service as a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee and Public Safety Committee.