Why an Action Manual
Address Extreme Precipitation & Flooding
Expand NYC Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Infrastructure Program and Prioritize Low-Income Communities
![Bioswales](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=221af9f4051d6a09f45908cd888659c15fcb8d02a8030e77adcd56e415c6ac9b 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=908a7fa9634526050019fc42e9730bb49ebbbfbb71d568a96df4acd26df5c58c 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=5d9a06bc7ab8b3b5015b4c76db8347bb07eb35116f3b06baefb44338a6ce665b 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=b787b7c6c3a11eaa2e073464917d88a78f61b0387611706cdfac785b5cb03d5e 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=abdab4e3f52e66798148ea917732eef9b92e00feb21e53806de33026993e86e5 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=bb8a8b66fbe505701273723fb095d6b7ad6859cb60eb09884818e5d6ca97e70d 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=a0eba03aabf802accd85559cf04b53c4401e5464dab0b48590a9d637d0a71809 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=eb2ffaae0a9ced422e537d2a6b90219299e01ef040cf33db57f9f1f241034331 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/bioswales.jpg?bossToken=d359dd5fc1726ad9e6110044057c8de8d83f22f82435fdf8f85c91ac3654ec7c 1543w)
Bioswale constructed by the DEP Green Infrastructure Program
Adapt DEP’s Green Infrastructure Fund to Support Community Gardens
Address Urban Heat
Make Cooling Centers More Functional and Accessible
Expand Cool Roofs Program
Ensure Food Security
Expand Urban Agriculture
![Gabriel12 shutterstock 1306753585](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=fb36f116425fd440a9792305c06d88079e7d28e5637934883bf7d1e7b82ce72a 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=516c2d472ba5edc17a716ccc76a9594afdf6fed02fcac2dfe9052532488ddfab 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=926fa8268e41c871f9f3ecffb711e70006d2f38382d71233368956fbf6ebbe37 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=4baf0eea646fcf5bd4e82f0de124eee863cc013a43f9d8efc021ace055410913 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=8df3f90000c8aaab0ca332e354555f3725a60d9f051395a6bdf0f25442c84c90 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=a0e69911229b4c8d32a49c9b5d5af934a9e697e1603ea5019024b230d52420a8 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=a084b03bbd7cbc7213243c61ecdc82ccd79d9a2213e92b5ec98e82a8deaf6e0d 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=6b1c18bda37f32390c239f841c055343fad322cb987d177091a838021dfe62ff 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/gabriel12_shutterstock_1306753585.jpg?bossToken=b6aef6502269757663cb1aca2be270f40ce9d526c9e839443a75e5a6d322b615 1543w)
To help formalize the presence of urban agriculture within NYC, City Council should require the Department of City Planning to conduct a comprehensive urban agriculture plan that uplifts the voices of community gardeners, as proposed by former City Councilmember Rafael Espinal and Borough President Eric Adams. An urban agriculture plan can ensure that land use policies do not restrict the ability of farmers (which includes commercial, non-profit, and community farmers) to grow, sell, or distribute food in their communities. Though a majority of community gardens comply with zoning as is, a comprehensive plan can formalize their presence in the wake of efforts to convert them into housing. City Council amended and passed an initial version of this local law to require the creation of a website on urban agriculture, but it accomplishes little beyond sharing information on existing resources available from the GreenThumb program. By passing a local law to create this plan, urban farmers and community gardeners can identify areas of growth for urban agriculture in NYC and Queens. A component of this will need to address the current barriers that prevent non-profit farms from selling what they produce on site. Additionally, a new champion for this work is needed since the departure of former Councilmember Espinal.
In 2017, New York State announced the creation of the Vital Brooklyn initiative, which invests funding into Central Brooklyn to support affordable housing, healthcare, open space, healthy food, and more. The program aims to create a healthier neighborhood through comprehensive investments, though the effects are still to be measured due to the long-term nature of public health data. This initiative does serve as a model, however, for the State investing in programs in a specific geography, including programs that expand healthy food options. The NYS Assembly and Senate should look to expand their Mobile Market Grant Program and other funds by working with GreenThumb to connect funding from the State to community gardens in Queens that can provide locally grown, fresh foods. Even if there is not the full backing of an initiative the size of Vital Brooklyn, the best practices from the process should be replicated in other parts of the City.
Fund Adaptation Projects in Low-Income Communities with a Polluter’s Fee
![Piotr Wawrzyniuk shutterstock 49480696](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=fec398ac1df1c28ae04d5c09c0ca38abc41e7b1936c3c44f3da689686caf1bae 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=372792c96353fdd58d4cd9f01773a71c0f083e657611107d23fa483c40beb4b9 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=66787b60ea6c27a966135c4f9fc4292435bbd99d5d7e7dabc01e22c8adefe7dc 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=7d65cec2b0fd69b67c0ef888607ae689a46edee93bf501e8a9a60a9dec5eb3d1 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=84c40f76018ec7a4e61e366de2e633c7e99ff183828417670a77acefce18d0e4 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=7701e4ce28bcb77a79c5ba1c557c830b52b74a8c11981f5297ff919d34482b57 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=575dac040f8f2fc7b3cf7a8027ab7027a768a91d813f0f8304efb7b1e029c04b 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=b08b1f01d8c00a38a62ad6870ba7a8fd6cfd7d6fd5770a9b33b4922e74dd78e6 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/PiotrWawrzyniuk_shutterstock_49480696.jpg?bossToken=df5b18c9de1eba972c42232395377200e368f11f30e7776d108a40916a6999d7 1543w)
Other initiatives, such as the Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI), have proposed a cap-and-invest program for the transportation sector. TCI’s proposal would require gasoline and fossil fuel suppliers to hold allowances for the emissions caused by the consumption of their fuel. Revenue would be used to fund public transportation and safe street policies, supplementing, but not substituting, the Polluter’s Fee funds listed above. Regardless of the fundraising mechanism, revenues must be targeted toward adapting communities most affected by climate change and enabling a Just Transition as specified by CLCPA’s mandates.
Reduce GHGs from Vehicles
Electrify the MTA Bus Fleet
![MTA FINALMT Aelectricbusfinal240938522044 d7f745d0e5 o](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=c41867b7ea137592b341913c4c068185533d4ec7ba62c162afbf4fceaaa4b39f 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=7b02390ca2efbdb41a585fb397fce73d03de8f3b6d03ec8bb8e4ebc6adbbbcb3 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=b8cd940d55100c476b2c74fa19ba9bbfe609550cb9a92c8fb54eefd987aac87a 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=831c291caa96b5d8b77ba3670b04bb4597cbbd8cba7b48b13d03e57f45266759 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=34ac1894e50a7cabee5f03bc16f4af552055d19c9f5576301184308297df0c5e 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=711b9b468a80fce1568d707d4923b4b956f19dd4b97b9db1fe36f032b3a79174 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=88f4be8d62aba1b165ed3f69b51e428563ba537ad54450bafd205cacfb39a819 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=8848fb88e5dca1a6a3c465602fcc8656a695d2880a1ce7e7361f2cabe32fa042 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/MTA_FINALMTAelectricbusfinal240938522044_d7f745d0e5_o.jpg?bossToken=032bf6303c8a86fc15a197cec863a9a607f77f4afa6c64fb58a85b390f9f7143 1543w)
Reduce GHGs from Buildings
Widen the Scope of the J-51 Tax Abatement to Include Energy Efficiency Upgrades
State-Run Efficiency Programs
Reduce GHGs from Waste
Expand DSNY’s Food Scrap Drop-Off Program
![Joanna Stankiewicz Witek shutterstock 292148792](https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/300/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=f0f508e24a360d8f2259fd650ed3e37f0ce6e93bfac6fcebd42d9a866905de34 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/600/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=3888bea07649ef0bf88c528b9f536b298ef004987bbf39a97d28671c71f5dfe2 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/900/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=d3c5acdeba32855167c0afc59832c37279c54d86734d47f38df3ae7292fe8ee1 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1200/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=1fff638b2e48fe6843fd493e54fe892f0854d0dc45d305f53b62af7ce1b7a8a7 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1500/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=0d45819011f709a4bb868be8a2b3f2ded1390040d18bf3eb3d13747c33ed7ee2 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/1800/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=baa08ea1f4222ab4548dfa8e20a92f73a841e93b1a2eb1458add2570e0639a82 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2100/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=bda899d4f7e0f4dc1a0e0dbc47d4f9edc903e758e0b72f49e9397319c8a1b2d4 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2400/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=6190758276e358d3a726adf735e1ce08cd5b807e24be4742b818acd71a642016 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/width/2700/quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/JoannaStankiewiczWitek_shutterstock_292148792.jpg?bossToken=28e470af641b032c1e563440194f81dba9bdeb8c9cefa760c1b83b3608f82d3c 1543w)
Discourage Single-Use Plastics
Reduce GHGs from the Power Sector
Promote Community Solar Projects that Give Marginalized Communities a Chance to Directly Benefit from Green Energy
Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
Clarify How 35 Percent Investment in “Disadvantaged Communities” from the Recent Climate Law will be Operationalized by Working with Community Groups and Leaders
Work Against Displacement, including Green Gentrification
The displacement of low and moderate-income residents by wealthier populations is a common occurrence in New York City and throughout the region. The neighborhoods that tend to be at risk of displacement and gentrification are former industrial hubs or communities home to ethnic enclaves or minorities. Many marginalized communities in New York have been home to polluting industrial uses and vacant land due to disinvestment.
Recently, improvements like utilizing vacant land for community gardens and other environmental improvements have lifted communities in the five boroughs. However, this has led to the phenomena of “Green gentrification” in those same neighborhoods.
Green gentrification is the process by which local real estate prices increase and put pressure on long-time residents following the transformation of low-income polluted neighborhoods. Green gentrification is evident in New York City. Before it was known as a neighborhood of high-rise condominiums and cocktail bars, Williamsburg was once a center for urban industry with breweries, sugar refineries, and clothing manufacturing. We can learn valuable lessons from its sudden transition from an urban manufacturing hub. When industrial and manufacturing are displaced due to real estate speculation, remediation, or other causes, their workers, who tend to be a largely immigrant and minority workforce, suffer from those losses. Just north of Williamsburg, the Greenpoint neighborhood depended on community awareness to achieve an “alternative vision for urban sustainability”. The Newtown Creek, a well-known superfund site, was recommended for remediation by the DEP in 2010. To ensure the livelihoods of the neighborhood’s working-class, the community pushed for the preservation of some of the industrial uses on the waterfront.
Based on these lessons, we recommend that environmental improvements and green developments must be balanced with displacement protections. Furthermore, both City and State legislators should enact policies to protect residents who would be subject to predatory real estate practices. Finally, community land trusts should be used to preserve and create permanently affordable homes in communities in danger of losing affordable housing stock.
The Risk of Climate Gentrification
Could climate change edge you out of your home?
Nearly 70% of households in Central Queens are renters with residents that carry a higher rent burden than the rest of New York City and Queens. Most buildings here were built before 1970 and are more susceptible to damage and flooding.
While building renovations or neighborhood improvements are needed, they come at a cost and renters often pay.
Increased rent could usher in a new wave of “climate gentrification,” pushing people out of their homes.
Where do we go from here?
The negative impacts of climate gentrification can be mitigated by ensuring there are mechanisms that protect low-income residents from unlawful behavior by landlords. Policies that include access to free counsel, rent limitations and stringent eviction requirements would guarantee such residents have sufficient resources to remain in their homes and enjoy the sustainable amenities. Finally, as the City has confirmed, the viability of community land trusts should be leveraged to increase preservation capacity of local community development corporations (CDCs). Together, these actions can guarantee sustainability is a feature to be enjoyed by all community members.
![Google Maps Central Queens](https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/300x300/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=56378d615d7b44da54cbe6ebfda3fcb49f5f447e048a6045ebb7a22c186549e4 171w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/600x600/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=bf6e549153be328384dda5baab797a605620a1c0e772dcaa16cb86ed046dbc27 343w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/900x900/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=8c5e192802fc013211b5ab343e165a0ac45371a4126e1fac4ebb797f4a945878 514w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/1200x1200/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=8d728b678e7896aa8a225af3c1619197b04d77175b8140441b1486ef955c04be 686w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/1500x1500/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=747b4d7f03d9f7cb0e872ff84859a209109041f76d5b8a786f7a0e9dd1f30e7c 857w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/1800x1800/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=89a1a794a05322d81d8d64fae4963d4cee02338d431c02f07ddd84d45b551ba7 1029w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/2100x2100/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=dddde4c59e182275926bc1dec41192d1b88bc046120b9d7b58fde6830d6218ba 1200w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/2400x2400/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=f264ffa331e2dfa1aa13874a06a24c59e4de931875e595d907213bf6df8a0dbe 1371w, https://img.imageboss.me/general/cover/2700x2700/fp-x:0.5,fp-y:0.5,quality:80/work/Reports/2020-reports/Climate-Action-Manual/GoogleMaps_CentralQueens.jpg?bossToken=a7ee9799b9c4bee905b3a60947554fd18f11c1587416683ac96eed637917e605 1543w)
Image: Google Earth
NYC Leaders Should Incorporate Displacement Risk into Decision Making
Implement “Good Cause” Eviction Legislation
Expand Legal Counsel Programs to Prevent Evictions and Protect Low-Income Residents
Promote Community Land Trusts to Create Permanently Affordable Housing
Develop an Upwardly Mobile Workforce
Require Targeted Communications of Training and Certification Opportunities to Environmental Justice Communities and Create Additional Programs like the Green Jobs-Green New York Program
Establish a Green Jobs Fair Program at NYC Economic Development Corporation
Expand NYC SBS’s Worker Cooperative Development Initiative and Include Worker-Owned Businesses as Priority Vendors for the City
Include the Study of Climate Change in Science Curricula for NYC Public Schools
Develop and Fund Additional ScienceBased Educational Opportunities
The Climate Action Manual proposes a set of policies that can help Queens mitigate the immediate effects of climate change, adapt the built environment to better respond in the future, and thrive as a result of investments in frontline communities.
As scientists’ projections of the effects of climate change seem to predict worse and worse outcomes, not only is it imperative that we change the trajectory of current emissions levels, but also that we plan and adapt our neighborhoods to be able to respond to more frequent extreme weather events. Engaging with frontline communities to develop policies is the best way to ensure that the most relevant policy and planning solutions are mobilized.
Through Regional Plan Association and Make the Road Queens’ partnership, we combined local knowledge with policy and planning context to identify and advocate for policies that can help Queens adapt equitably. As a national policy discussion around addressing climate change evolves, Equitable Adaptation can be a local model for how planning entities can connect with front line communities to make sure that investments in adaptation and mitigation are tailored to each context. Scaled up, this process can help ensure a just transition and a livable future for all.
Acknowledgements
Authored by
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Julissa Bisono
Make the Road New York, Lead Organizer
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Leticia Pazmino
Make the Road New York, BASTA Organizer
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Jose Lopez
Make the Road New York, "Co-Organizing Director, BASTA Housing & Environmental Justice Project"
Funded By
- New York Community Trust
- Ford Foundation
- Lily Auchincloss Foundation
Produced With
- Make the Road New York
Other Reports in this Series
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