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EVENTS
MWA Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Events
Apr. 1, 6-8pm
City of Water Day Paddlers and Rowers Meeting
Find out what you need to know if you're going to paddle or row to Governors Island on July 18. Urban Center, 457 Madison Avenue
Apr. 1, 6-8pm
City of Water Day Volunteers Meeting
We need your help -- and we'll make it worth your while! Urban Center, 457 Madison Avenue
Other Waterfront Events
Mar. 27, 1pm
Combating Illegal Dumping in New York City Waterways
Hearing convened by the Waterfronts Committee of the NY City Council. 250 Broadway.
Mar. 27-29Paddlesport 2009Largest canoe and kayak show on the East Coast. Garden State Exhibit Center, Somerset, NJMar. 28, 10pmTime's Up Riverside RideMonthly nighttime group bike ride. Columbus Circle entrance to Central Park, Central Park South and Central Park West
Mar. 30, 9am
WE ACT & CCCEH Children's Environmental Health ConferenceColumbia Center for Children's Environmental Health, Mailman School of Public Health, 100 Haven Avenue, Tower III, Suite 25F March 30 and 31Two-day conference to evaluate the concept of storm surge barriers to protect the New York metropolitan region from severe coastal flooding, hosted by the Metropolitan Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers in conjunction with the Environmental Sciences Section of the New York Academy of Sciences. Polytechnic Institute of New York University, Brooklyn. Mar. 31, 7pm
Sunset-Ridge Waterfront Alliance VIP Night
TRACE, 8814 Third Avenue, Brooklyn
April 1, 10:30am
Environmental Effects on the Hudson River Population of Atlantic TomcodPart of a seminar series on scientific issues related to the environmental quality and resource management of the New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary. Hudson River Foundation, 17 Battery Place, Suite 915
April 2, 6pm-8pmWorking Harbor Committee Spring Gala
Cocktail reception honoring Richard Larrabee of the Port Authority. The Down Town Association, 60 Pine StreetApril 2, 7pm-8pm
The 100th Birthday of Two Great Bridges: The Queensboro and the ManhattanLecture by architectural historian, John Kriskiewicz. MAS Urban Center, 457 Madison Avenue, Manhattan
April 3, 11am
Governors Island Hearing
The rescheduled City Council hearing takes place. Please check web site for location.
April 7, 6pm-8pm
East River Waterfront Visioning Workshop
Sponsored by O.U.R. Waterfront AllianceTwo Bridges Community Space, 80 Rutgers Slip
April 11, 10amEnvironmental Tour of the South Bronx & Randall's IslandLeisurely bike tour that includes the waterfront, community gardens and art, and historic places. Meet at the Bronx Park, 141 Street and Brook Avenue, Bronx, under the cherry blossoms!
April 17, 8am-3pmAmerica 2050: Building the Next EconomyRegional Plan Association's Regional Assembly. Featured speakers: Governors Paterson of NY and Rendell of PA, and Mark Zandi of Moody's and Economy.com.
Waldorf Astoria, 301 Park Avenue
April 19, 12pmDedication of New Dock and Ramp at Sebago Canoe ClubSebago Canoe Club
Paerdegat, Basin at Foot of Avenue N, 1400 Paerdegat Avenue North,
Brooklyn
April 22, 6pm-8:30pm
The New Erie Canal: Tourism, Transportation and Economic Development
Free forum sponsored by the State Council on Waterways (SCOW). RSVP to Capt. Mary Pat Driscoll at 201-857-2127 or marypat@sail-nyc.com. Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave.
April 23, 7-9pmEast River C.R.E.W. Benefit Party honoring Carter CraftShip of Fools Grill, 590 2nd Avenue
April 23, 6:30pm-8pm
New York Harbor: Created and Obliterated
Follow the wake of Hudson's 1609 exploration of the river that now bears his name through this illustrated talk. South Street Seaport Museum, 12 Fulton Street
April 24, 9am-5pmRestoring the Urban Oyster 2009NY/NJ Baykeeper's Second Oyster Restoration Conference, Pershing Hall, Governors Island
April 25, 11am-12:30pm
1625: Dutch New York
Walking tour along the shoreline of 1625 and visit sites - and some extant remains - of the original Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam. $20. Meet on the steps of the National Museum of the American Indian.
Quadricentennial EventsApril 1
Selling Manhattan: images of the New World in Old Amsterdam
Lecture. Columbia University, Deutsches Haus, 420 W. 116 St.
April 4
Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson
Opening day of the first major exhibition to mark the Quadricentennial of Henry Hudson's arrival in New York Harbor. April 4 is the day that Hudson set sail from Amsterdam on his third voyage in pursuit of a new route to Asia. Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Avenue
April 9
Nederlands Dans Theater II
NDT returns to NYC after ten years. Joyce Theater, 175 8th Ave.
April 29
Hail Henry!
Benefit dinner/concert with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and NY Philharmonic Brass, featuring the world premiere of Benjamin C.S. Boyle's Hail Henry!, commissioned for the Quadricentennial. Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave. (at 120th Street)
April 30, 11:30am-12:30pm
Carillon 2009 "Perfect Day"
Dutch Queensday carillonneur Sjoerd Tamminga plays Lou Reed's Perfect Day, as well as the National anthems of the United States and the Netherlands. Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave. (at 120th St.)
May 1, 2009
The Glory of Dutch Bulbs: A Legacy of 400 Years
Opening day of a new exhibition of rare Dutch bulbs at the NY Botanical Garden.May 1, 2009The New Amsterdam TrailFirst day of multi-platform, self-guided walking tour sponsored by Henry Hudson 400, with the Dutch National Archives and the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy at Federal Hall. Save the Date!
September 9-10, 2009
H209: A Water Forum
Business, environmental and government leaders explore solutions to the water
challenges of coastal cities. H209 is organized by the Henry Hudson 400 Foundation in cooperation with Liberty
Science Center, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and the Netherlands Water
Partnership.
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 City Reinstates Waterfront Advisory Board
- New legislation signed by Mayor Bloomberg on March 18 reestablishes and strengthens the City's Waterfront Management Advisory Board. Though mandated by the City Charter, the Board has not convened since the Dinkins administration.
"This legislation gives the Advisory Board a fresh start in its mission of bettering over 500 miles
of New York City's waterfront property," said Council Member Michael Nelson. "The Waterfront Management
Advisory Board will increase public participation in the development of
waterfront policy and undoubtedly create more jobs and substantial
recreational activities as well as bring in more revenue for the city."
The 21-member board will advise the Mayor, City Council and Borough Presidents on "matters relating to the industrial,
commercial, residential, recreational and any other development of the
city's wharves and water front property." Read more here.
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Point/Counterpoint on Proposed
NJ Waterfront Access LawThe Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance strives to find common ground for
waterfront issues.
Recognizing that some issues may be controversial, we
will do our best to illuminate all sides. A case in point is proposed legislation to be
discussed soon in the New Jersey State Senate. The bill -- S.1921 (read
it here) - which was described in the last issue of WaterWire, would stop the Dept. of Environmental Protection from requiring public
access to waterfront areas adjacent to transportation, military,
industrial, and energy sites. The bill would also relax requirements
for security-sensitive facilities near the water's edge to provide
waterfront access elsewhere.
Many organizations, environmental
groups in particular, oppose this bill, fearing that if it were to
become law, NJ residents would be more regularly denied access to the water because the DEP would not be able to mandate public access. They also say the restrictions go beyond what is
necessary to protect facilities where national security may be an
issue. But some business groups favor the bill and want the DEP's public access requirements prohibited. These groups say they face an unfair financial burden to provide public access to the
waterfront.
Frank
McDonough, president of the New York Shipping Association, a group that
represents the interests of port employers and ocean carriers in the
NY/NJ region, got in touch with WaterWire. While he supports the larger
goal of access to the waterfront, he says allowing the DEP to
continue to mandate public access has harmful consequences for the shipping
industry.
"The
Public Trust Doctrine has been implemented in this state very
practically and reasonably, without the need for any kind of
restrictive regulation," said Mr. McDonough, adding that DEP requirements place an inequitable tax on waterfront businesses. "We're the most expensive port in the
country. It's tough enough to [conduct business] without having
additional impositions."
A discussion of the bill by the NJ
State Senate Environmental Committee scheduled for March 16 was delayed
until May. We encourage
readers to respond and continue this important dialogue.
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Dive In!
Register for the Manhattan Island Foundation 2009 Swim Series
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Going Dutch
Roland Lewis reports on a trip to the Netherlands,
with observations from Rob Pirani
Henry Hudson sailed into this great harbor 400 years ago, on a Dutch-financed expedition. This year's many Quadricentennial events mark the birth of our metropolis and the start of a long and continuing connection to our Dutch forebears. One of the most important observances is the H209 Water Forum on September 9 and 10, where business leaders, scientists, government representatives and others will discuss solutions to water challenges that face cities around the world. This conference, sponsored by the Henry Hudson 400 Foundation (a Dutch/American civic association) and co-sponsored by MWA, will take place at the Liberty Science Center in New Jersey.
Conference co-chair Emlyn Koster, president of the Liberty Science Center, and I (Roland Lewis) recently traveled to the Netherlands to plan the conference with our Dutch counterparts. Rob Pirani of the Regional Plan Association joined us. The RPA is working closely with the Dutch government to facilitate idea exchanges between American and Dutch organizations involved with water management. These new transatlantic relationships are expected to bear fruit for the H209 conference and beyond. Rob met with Dutch water experts and toured cities and the countryside. Here are a few of his impressions.
Water
is integrated into almost every aspect of the Dutch landscape. The
Dutch people created democratic authorities to manage water in the 15th
century, long before a national government even existed, so perhaps it
is not surprising that water management continues be a celebrated part
of their culture and a vital part of their planning decisions.
As I (Rob Pirani) saw firsthand in my travels, hosted by Ivo Demmers and Peter van der Kolk of the Netherlands Water Partnership, the Dutch have come up with innovative solutions to problems common in the United States, and their policies are instructive as we begin to grapple with our vulnerability to sea level rise. The Dutch government instituted measures called "Room for the River," for example, that makes space for the flood waters of the Rhine, Meuse, and smaller rivers to safely overflow their banks. Rotterdam has ambitious proposals to retain storm water in green roofs and water plazas. "Cradle to Cradle Islands" in the North Sea are testing new technologies for water reuse and decentralized treatment.
 Unlike American engineers, who design to protect from the 100-year storm (flood conditions that will occur once every 100 years), Dutch planners design for the 10,000-year storm. Economic investments in infrastructure, like the massive tide gate protecting Rotterdam's port (right), are complemented by a concerted political investment, exemplified by a national plan about climate change adaptation put forth by the high-level Delta Commission.
We can learn from this multi-faceted approach. The MWA's Waterfront Action Agenda recognizes sea level rise as a major challenge to our region and recommends immediate attention to infrastructure improvements and the revision of building and zoning codes. Adaptation strategies are now being assessed by new groups sponsored by the city (PlaNYC's Climate Change Task Force) and state (the Dept. of Environmental Conservation's Sea Level Rise Task Force). My Dutch and American colleagues and I expect the September H209 Water Forum to be an excellent venue for moving this dialogue forward.
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Lights! Camera! Action!
EPA Launches Water Quality Video Contest
Listen to your inner Woody Allen and enter the Environmental Protection Agency's video contest. Your mission: educate the public about water quality issues. Your goal: offer simple, low-cost steps that can improve and protect water quality. The EPA even starts you off with some ideas: How about 60 seconds on low-impact development, marine debris, watershed management, water quality monitoring or polluted runoff?
Two winners will be chosen: one for a short, 30- or 60-second video useable as a public service announcement, and another for a one- to three-minute video. Each winner will receive $2,500. The last day for submissions is Earth Day, April 22, 2009. Videos will be judged by a panel of experts on creativity and originality, quality, technical accuracy and content of message. Click here to see the full list of contest rules and guidelines.
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Waterfront Text Amendment
As you've read in previous editions of WaterWire, the NYC Department of City Planning is proposing an amendment to an important document which provides regulations for waterfront properties. Known as the Waterfront Text Amendment, this proposal amends the existing waterfront public access regulations for shore public walkways, supplemental areas, upland connections and visual corridors. The proposal does not change the amount of public access required by existing regulations, but would improve the quality of such space. MWA submitted comments to the Department of City Planning on the Waterfront Text Amendment, as did several Alliance Partners.
Click here to read the MWA's comments.
Click here to read comments from SWIM (Stormwater Infrastructure Matters)
Click here to comments from the American
Institute of Architects (NY chapter), American Society of Landscape Architects (NY chapter) and the American
Planning Association (NY Metro chapter)
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Volunteer for City of Water Day
Fun with a purpose
City of Water Day can't happen without you! The second annual City of Water Day to celebrate our harbor and waterways takes place July 18, 2009 on Governors Island.
Join us next week on Wednesday, April 1, 6pm to 8pm at the Urban Center (457 Madison Ave.) to discuss volunteering for City of Water Day. You'll find out about all the way to volunteer before City of Water Day and, of course, on the big day itself. Your ideas about how to recruit more volunteers, how to coordinate volunteers and how to ensure that City of Water Day is fun for volunteers will be high on the agenda. 
Volunteers from last year's event are encouraged to come and provide feedback and input. Light refreshments will be served. Click here for more details!
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Guest Editorial
Invest Now in Waterfront Transportation Infrastructure
By Elizabeth Case
As New York's straphangers anxiously
follow news about the MTA's so-called "doomsday budget," the region's waterfront activists must be
wondering where water transportation fits in.
Good
question. Investing in infrastructure and
transportation is something the Empire State Transportation Alliance
(ESTA) actively promotes, and now, when the economy is waning and our public transit system is at a
turning point, there comes a call for creativity, thinking out of the
box -- or out of the train tunnels. While ferry service is not controlled by the MTA, the agency that
runs the region's network of subway, bus and commuter rails, it is a
major part of the region's transit system. But it is underutilized.
Combining innovation with our economic and urban transportation needs, investing in waterborne transit makes a lot of sense. A more
expansive transit system with greater connectivity to the waterfront
could help open up public access to the shoreline and assist in the
redevelopment of ferry service between the boroughs and throughout the
tri-state region. New York Times contributor Jim Dwyer
wrote last week, "The mass transit system is as big an advantage to
modern New York City as its port was in the 18th and 19th centuries."
The Staten Island Ferry and the NY Water Taxi are good examples of how
water transit can work in a limited fashion. But in order for water
transit to fully function in New York, links have to be made between
the ferries and MTA's New York City Transit system. Infrastructure, like docks and waiting areas, must be built. New York is currently undergoing a number of waterfront redevelopment projects, but readying the coastline for water transit will take time.
There are other obstacles, such as funding. NY Waterway, the New Jersey-based ferry service that carries 25,000 people a day, recently announced that it could go bankrupt this year. The
company has long called for federal subsidies for ferry service.
As
Errol Louis suggested in his Daily News column, we need to
start thinking about returning to the water as a transit option, but
that won't be possible unless we have well-funded transit and ferry
systems. Only then can we sufficiently connect the two. Given the MTA board's decision to approve massive service cuts and fare hikes, as well as the State Legislature's failure to act on this issue, New York clearly has a long way to go.
The
Empire State Transportation Alliance (ESTA) is a coalition of the
region's civic, business, transportation and environmental leaders
working to build public consensus for robust transportation investment. ESTA is affiliated with the Regional Plan Association. Elizabeth Case is a Research Associate at the RPA.
If you would like to contribute to WaterWire's Guest Editorial column, please email info@waterfrontalliance.org.
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Donate to the Waterfront Alliance!
Please help build a blue movement in the region and lay the foundation for a strong MWA and the greatest waterfront in the world. Financial contributions made to the Waterfront Alliance, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
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Recent Waterfront News
Coast Guard reports oil spill in Newark
Staten Island Advance, March 26, 2009
Mayor Bloomberg threatens to yank funding for Brooklyn Bridge Park
Daily News, March 25, 2009
New York Aquarium Counts The Seals Living Outside Their Facility
Zoo and Aquarium Visitor News, March 2009
Sewage Release Warning for Hudson River
1010 Wins, March 21, 2009
Program Helps Inner-City Students Become Experts on Brooklyn Waterfront
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, March 20, 2009
Plans gel for interim Coney Island amusements
Crain's, March 19, 2009
A New Ferry Terminal, the Same Fretful Commute
The New York Times, March 18, 2009
Northeast US to suffer most from future sea rise
Associated Press, March 15, 2009
Enthusiasm runs deep for Hudson's 400th anniversary
The Journal News, March 15, 2009
The Bigger Apple
The New York Times, March 14, 2009
Governors Island approves budget without NY funds
Newsday, March 12, 2009
Brooklyn's CB13 Approves Coney Island Rezoning
WNYC.org, March 12, 2009
Rail tunnel dollars among millions earmarked for N.J.
NJ Biz, March 11, 2009
Local officials call for major revamp of city's Coney Island plan
New York Daily News, March 11, 2009
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Several civic associations are devoted to the redevelopment of the Gowanus area. One of them is the 