In its New York and New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Study, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering various plans to “manage the risk of coastal storm damage…while contributing to the resilience of communities, critical infrastructure, and the environment.”
One alternative includes a massive five-mile-long barrier at the mouth of the Lower Bay that would stretch from Breezy Point, New York, to Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Another alternative under consideration proposes multiple barriers, floodwalls, and levee systems around the metropolitan region. Environmental organizations are concerned about potential ecosystem changes created by in-water barriers such as those proposed by the Army Corps.
Public information sessions on these plans took place earlier this summer, including one at the Borough of Manhattan Community College on July 9. Army Corps officials seemed surprised and gratified at the standing-room-only audiences who showed up to learn about resilience options.
Due to the interest generated by the public, at meetings and through their elected officials, and to allow for meaningful comment on the NEPA scoping phase, the Corps is extending the original 45-day comment period for an additional 30 days. The extended comment deadline is September 20, 2018.
Send any questions and/or comments to NYNJHarbor.TribStudy@usace.army. mil