Bill Text: NJ AR230 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges NJ Sports and Exposition Authority to ensure buildings in Hackensack Meadowlands do not negatively impact birds.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-23 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [AR230 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AR230-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman TIM EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges NJ Sports and Exposition Authority to ensure buildings in Hackensack Meadowlands do not negatively impact birds.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to take steps to ensure that buildings constructed in the Hackensack Meadowlands do not negatively impact birds.
Whereas, Birds crash into buildings at alarming rates because they cannot see clear or reflective glass and mistake it for clear air space; and
Whereas, During the daytime, birds collide with windows because they see reflections of the landscape, such as clouds, sky, vegetation, or the ground in the glass, or they see through glass to "habitat," including potted plants or vegetation inside buildings, or to sky on the other side; and
Whereas, While the majority of collisions happen during the day, at night, in inclement weather during spring and fall bird migration, birds can be attracted to lighted buildings, resulting in building collisions, entrapment, and exhaustion; and
Whereas, According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, collision with building glass is estimated to be the second greatest source of direct mortality of birds, with over 300 million birds killed each year; and
Whereas, The Hackensack Meadowlands is a birding hotspot, where more than 285 species have been seen, including 34 species that are listed as threatened, endangered, or species of special concern; and
Whereas, It is possible for glass buildings to be "bird friendly," by using glass that is opaque or that contains patterns or films that are opaque on one side and mostly clear on the other, or by incorporating special lighting systems; and
Whereas, While it is possible for building exteriors to be retrofitted in order to avoid bird collisions, being proactive and addressing this issue before final construction is completed may save the lives of many birds; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to take steps to ensure that buildings constructed in the Hackensack Meadowlands do not negatively impact birds.
2. Copies of this
resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the
Clerk of the General Assembly to the Board of Commissioners of the New Jersey
Sports and Exposition Authority.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to take steps to ensure that buildings constructed in the Hackensack Meadowlands do not negatively impact birds.
According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, collision with building glass is estimated to be the second greatest source of direct mortality of birds. The Hackensack Meadowlands is a birding hotspot, where more than 285 species have been seen, including 34 species that are listed as threatened, endangered, or species of special concern.
