WaterWire 2-25-09

NY Waterway Reiterates Need for Federal Support
Ridership on NY Waterway ferries is declining. As the company tries to maintain a reasonable level of service, less-utilized routes have been consolidated. "You seek any economy, look for any possible efficiency," said NY Waterway spokesperson Pat Smith.

"There should be a federal solution," said Smith. He referred to NY Waterway founder Arthur Imperatore's opinion that ferry service tends to get lost in the local government shuffle. "Our Congress members should recognize that this is an important regional transportation service. And as the Miracle on the Hudson demonstrated on January 15, it's also an important rescue resource. We as taxpayers could not afford to maintain a rescue fleet to be standing by for another 9/11 or a blackout. Instead, we have this 34-boat rescue fleet that responds."

If you would like to suggest to your representatives in the federal government that they support waterborne transportation, click here for the House and here for the Senate.

Within minutes of the crash-landing of an airliner in the Hudson River on January 15, NY Waterway ferries were at its side. All aboard were rescued. Photo by Ron Jeffers.

Expanding NY Water Taxi Strives to Cut Costs
Tom Fox, president of NY Water Taxi, is trying to cut expenses and streamline operations by building a maritime support facility in Brooklyn's Atlantic Basin. His proposal, however, has not been accepted by the city, which instead is leaning toward leasing the waterfront space to Phoenix Beverages, a beer distributor that would boost port commerce by working with American Stevedoring to unload millions of cases of beer from cargo ships.

Fox is not giving up. Trying to leverage community support for his Brooklyn Maritime Center and compromise with city officials, he continues to promote a vision for the Brooklyn waterfront that differs from the city's vision. To read a New York Times article about this, click here. If you want to register your opinion on the future of Atlantic Basin, Fox encourages you to contact Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Mayor Bloomberg.

"The good news," said Fox, ever the optimist, "is that we completed the acquisition of Circle Line Downtown and formed the Harbor Experience company." The new company, comprising Circle Line NY Water Taxi and Water Taxi Beach, has one efficient ticketing system for all options. Moreover, Fox is able to maximize marketing and streamline paperwork. Further solidifying the company's presence in Lower Manhattan, Fox is introducing the Harbor Pass, which will allow people to enjoy any Water Taxi option -- a ferry jaunt, speedboat ride, a music cruise, even a sail on the schooner Pioneer (thanks to an agreement with the South Street Seaport Museum) with a single ticket.

NEW CO-CHAIRS ELECTED TO LEAD HEP CAC

Strange acronym. What does it mean?

HEP CAC stands for the Harbor Estuary Program Community Advisory Committee. Authorized by the EPA, the Harbor Estuary Program (HEP) promotes the conservation and restoration of the NY/NJ Estuary. Participants include representatives from local, state and federal environmental agencies. The HEP's Community Advisory Committee - which consists of civic organizations and concerned citizens - seeks to influence the work of these agencies.

On February 12, two new co-chairs were elected to lead the HEP CAC: Michelle Doran-McBean, president and CEO of Future City Inc. and Roland Lewis, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.

"The CAC is a dynamic vehicle for residents, organizations and small businesses to receive information about the NY/NJ HEP," said Ms. Doran-McBean, whose organization, Future City Inc., links sustainable development to watersheds. "Information flows in the opposite direction, too, since CAC members have an opportunity to give a policy perspective to the HEP."
NJ Meadowlands

Mr. Lewis said, "Our goal is to create a much more open and diverse waterfront, and to give a larger political voice to the average citizen and the civic organizations that inform the work of the Harbor Estuary Program."

Find out more about the NY/NJ HEP here. To be notified about the next HEP CAC meeting, contact gabriela@harborestuary.org.

LET'S START PLANNING CITY OF WATER DAY!

Families, Fun and Expanding Your Customer Base

Don't let the cold weather fool you - it's not too early to start planning for this summer's City of Water Day! MWA is gearing up for a fabulous day of water-inspired fun on Governors Island, on July 18, 2009. Last summer, City of Water Day brought over 7,000 visitors to Governors Island. Read more about the first City of Water Day here.

Assuming the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation is successful in its efforts to persuade the state and city to fund basic island operations (please note the Keep Governors Island Afloat! rally on February 27 at City Hall), this year's City of Water Day will be better than ever, bringing together thousands of pedestrians, boaters, waterfront enthusiasts, families, Alliance Partners and politicians working toward giving all the people of our region a dynamic, economically viable and accessible waterfront. "The twin purposes of the day," says MWA president Roland Lewis, "are furthering the MWA Action Agenda and bringing our Alliance Partners together for 'Fun With a Purpose.' "

One of the biggest changes this year will be more fun activities for children, families and non-boating visitors. Look for the draft Program of Events due out next month.

Do you know of a company interested in showcasing its products or services to thousands of people interested in environmental, water and urban causes? Evironmentally conscious clothing companies, organic food distributors, green services, children's products, water-related sporting companies, and shipping- and port-related firms -- all of these and more can take the opportunity to market to thousands of potential customers as City of Water Day Sponsors. Check out sponsorship levels and the benefits of sponsorship here. Contact Roland Lewis at rlewis@waterfrontalliance.org for more information about all the ways your company can be featured. You'll be supporting a great cause while expanding your customer base. Advertising space is available in the Program of Events for sponsors as well.

The City of Water Day kick-off meeting will be held March 4, 5:30 to 7:30 at the Urban Center, 457 Madison Avenue. All are invited to come to share ideas and learn about day-of logistics (e.g., how will human-powered vessels get to and from Governors Island for the event?). We want your ideas and input! Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to jstark-hernandez@waterfrontalliance.org.

ASK CHRISTOPHER WARD
This week, Christopher O. Ward, the executive director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, will be taking questions from readers on the City Room Blog of The New York Times. Click here to send a question to Mr. Ward. (Click here to reread the City Room Q&A with MWA president Roland Lewis in July 2008, and here to reread the City Room Q&A with former MWA program director Carter Craft in July 2007.)

MWA Partner

SPOTLIGHT
From the paddlers of the Sebago Canoe Club on Jamaica Bay to the International Shippers of the New York Shipping Association, nearly 400 organizations dedicated to a healthy, shared and vibrant harbor make up the Waterfront Alliance. Together these hundreds of organizations and hundreds of thousands of people create a diverse and powerful voice for a better waterfront. Below, read about the Long Island City Community Boathouse (and don't miss their "Paddle Party" on March 12). If you'd like to see your waterfront group in the WaterWire Spotlight, email info@waterfrontalliance.org

Long Island City Community Boathouse
Opposite the United Nations complex and just north of the giant Pepsi sign, Anable Basin is home to the Long Island City Community Boathouse. The all-volunteer, not-for-profit LICCB provides paddling opportunities on the East River and Newtown Creek to growing numbers of Queens residents and visitors from all points of the compass.

Participants are thrilled to find their waterways alive and vibrant as they paddle in the shadows of skyscrapers. Beautiful birds and leaping fish at sunset motivate us to share our passion. Our East River launch affords magnificent views of the beautiful bridges and the skylines of Manhattan and those rising in Long Island City and Williamsburg.

Long Island City Community Boathouse members paddling

What do we want most for the waterfront? A greater degree of acceptance from those with whom we share the waters. Too many captains of ships, tugs, ferries and yachts refer to us as "speed bumps." Of course they're joking, but it's not funny as we try to navigate around their vessels. Native Americans paddled here long before the first bridge, tunnel or cruise ship came to be. What's more, our presence on the river is no longer novel. Like swimming at the ocean beaches or biking on midtown streets, kayaking the waterways is a safe and rewarding activity when done properly.

MWA's Action Agenda is chock full of commonsense and innovative solutions. For LICCB, "Solutions For a Fun Harbor" are especially appealing. While miles of waterfront are still marred by ugly walls and fences that separate people from their estuary, last year the NYC Water Trail was launched and now there are more than 30 sites in the five boroughs where canoes or kayaks can land legally. More sites are expected soon.

LICCB values the opportunity to be part of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and benefits from associations with other Alliance partners. Clean, safe and accessible water matters to all of us. With our waters cleaner now than they've been in a lifetime, boathouses are springing up around the harbor at a phenomenal rate.

People often express surprise and great interest when they learn about LICCB. This indicates a great potential demand for estuary enjoyment. As more water access sites become available, awareness and capacity of groups like ours will grow.

Long Island City Community Boathouse members

I'd like to extend an invitation to all to dip a paddle with the friendly crew of Long Island City Community Boathouse some Sunday afternoon this summer. If that seems a long way off, come to our gala Paddler Party & Fundraiser March 12th. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. We'd love to have the pleasure of your company, exchange salty stories and share excitement about the coming season.

Ted Gruber, Chair
Long Island City Community Boathouse

Recent Waterfront News

Governors Island Ferry: Going, Gone For $23,600
New York Observer, Feb. 23, 2009

Newark biodiesel producer uses Passaic River for shipping
The Star-Ledger, Feb. 23, 2009

NY Circle Line deal completed
Newsday, Feb. 23, 2009

Landmark year for historic ship
Times Union, Feb. 23, 2009

Inside the Brooklyn Navy Yard Hospital
The Gothamist, Feb. 23, 2009

Coastal Flooding Concerns in Battery Park City
The Broadsheet Daily, Feb. 19, 2009

Reviving the Passaic
New Jersey Monthly, Feb. 18, 2009

City and Developer Spar Over Coney Island Visions
The New York Times, Feb. 17, 2009

Energy and Mobility (East River Power)
Urban Omnibus, Feb. 13, 2009

On the improved waterfront: City floats less-restrictive development rules
NY Daily News, Feb. 9, 2009

East River Power
Urban Omnibus, Feb. 4 2009

Minding Coney Island
The New York Times (editorial), Feb. 3, 2009

MTA: Talks to continue on Hudson Yards Contract
Newsday, Jan. 31, 2009