|
|
|
Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance 2-3-10
|
LOW TIDE 5:15am * HIGH TIDE 11:21am * LOW TIDE 5:39pm * HIGH TIDE 11:58pm
|
|
|
|
Support WaterWire
and help build a blue movement in the region. Financial contributions made
to MWA are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Click here to donate.
|
EVENTS
Cold weather is here, and it's not the most appropriate time to host gatherings at and on the water. Still, there must be some waterfront-related events that you'd like us to help you publicize! Send us your information and we'll be glad to list it in WaterWire and on the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance website.
Click here to send information about events to Louis Kleinman.
Sunday, Feb. 7
2pm
The Hudson: America's River
Drawing on the material in her recently-published book The Hudson: America's River, Fran Dunwell will present a one-hour slide show and discussion. Using images of Hudson River School paintings, maps and period engravings, she captures the spirit of the river through the eyes of its many admirers. Her talk recounts how the Hudson River powered the growth of the country's greatest industrial and financial empire and also produced leading American artists, writers, engineers and environmentalists. She makes the case for conserving the Hudson as a source of creative inspiration and demonstrates that the river continues to be a creative force today.
www.waterfrontalliance.org
Wednesday, Feb. 17
Tug Pegasus Preservation Project Fundraiser
Buy tugboat art, meet the artists, eat, drink, and donate to the upkeep of the Pegasus, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Congressman and host Jerrold Nadler will be joined by Linda Gramatky Smith, daughter of Hardie Gramatky, author and illustrator of the children's book, "Little Toot." $75.
5:30pm-8pm.
Ear Inn Gallery, 326 Spring St. 917-692-8315,
www.tugpegasus.org
Wednesday, Feb. 24
2pm
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge: Black Skimmer Recovery Plan
New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation is pleased to announce a stakeholder meeting for the Black Skimmer Recovery Plan. Meeting will inform concerned stakeholders of the ecological status of black skimmer in NY State and the process for developing the recovery plan. Local and expert stakeholders on black skimmer ecology will be encouraged to additionally participate on the Black Skimmer Recovery Team.
www.waterfrontalliance.org
Thursday, Mar. 11
Long Island City Community Boathouse Fundraiser
At The Foundry, 4238 9th Street, Long Island City.
www.licboathouse.org
Thursday, Mar. 11
6pm
Spring 2010 Gala Award Reception for the Working Harbor Committee
Honoring Capt. Timothy Ferrie, President of the Marine Society of the City of New York. Capt. Ferrie will be honored for his leadership as President of the Marine Society of the City of New York and for his commitment to maritime educational programs for NYC youth.
www.workingharbor.com
|
|
 Governor and Mayor Demand
Fair Share for New York Harbor
Paterson and Bloomberg ask Obama to rework EPA's 2011 budget
to include $52 million for the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary
Other water bodies around the country receiving
more money from EPA are used by far fewer people __________________________
Calling attention to the fact that the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary receives no specific funding in the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed 2011 budget, Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg have challenged the Obama Administration on the issue, requesting
$52 million dollars to address the disparity of
resources for restoration relative to other regions.
The
EPA's budget for next year includes significant funding for
Chesapeake Bay ($63 million), the Mississippi River ($17 million), and
the Great Lakes restoration
initiative ($300 million) -- but nothing for the New York
region. "We
believe that the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary merits a higher
level of funds than it currently secures under the National Estuary
Program," the Governor and Mayor declared in a joint letter to the President dated January 22. Click here to download the letter.
Local leaders say this is just the beginning of the negotiation process over the $10 billion budget put forth by EPA on February 1. "We are confident that the Obama Administration will recognize that the economic and environmental health of the historic New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary depends on funding from the federal government," said James Tierney, Assistant Commissioner for Water Resources at the NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation.
Photo by Robert Simko
The NY-NJ Harbor Estuary is one of the nation's 28 Estuaries
of National Significance. With this designation comes membership in
the EPA's National Estuary Program, a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), and a promise by the federal government to help develop sustainable financing strategies to protect and restore the ecosystem. This promise, however, has fallen short.
The time has come, as the Governor, the Mayor and a host of local elected officials and waterfront advocates are asserting, for the federal government to help implement the CCMP and several other far-reaching plans, including the Hudson-Raritan Estuary Comprehensive Restoration Plan prepared by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and the Army Corp of Engineers in partnership with the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program, and the related Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda (see story below) developed by New York State in conjunction with federal, local, and not-for-profit partners.
"The New York Harbor and its waterways have been shortchanged by the federal government for far too long," said Roland Lewis, president of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. "We applaud
Governor Paterson and Mayor Bloomberg for asking for our fair share and
encourage all MWA partners to reach out to
our New York and New Jersey Senators and Representatives and ask them to act on this critically important issue. The health of our
region, environmentally and economically, depends on our voices being
heard and the legitimate needs of our harbor being addressed. We look
forward to working hard with legislators to make sure this is included
in the EPA's budget."
Click here to download the MWA's own Action Agenda, a program developed by hundreds Alliance Partners that offers actionable solutions to the many challenges that impact quality of life and the competitiveness of the metropolitan region.
To contact your elected representative, enter your zip code in the following sites (www.votesmart.org or www.congress.org) for his or her contact information.
|
Featured Headline
Know your target audience. Who are your most important customers, clients or prospects, and why? Know what is important to them and address their needs in your newsletter each month. Include a photo to make your newsletter even more appealing. Inserting a link in your article lets you track which topics attract the most interest.
|
DEC Releases its Draft of the
Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda
The Dept. of Environmental Conservation wants to know
what you think. The public may comment through Feb. 22
_____________________________________
 Many people rediscovered the Hudson River last year as the Quadricentennial of Henry Hudson's voyage sparked a year of celebration from the Battery to Troy. This year, attention turns to the future of the mighty river.
In late January, the draft of the Hudson River Estuary Action Agenda 2010-2014 was released by the NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Under the auspices of the State's Hudson River Estuary Program, which leads hundreds of partners in a collaborative effort, the five-year plan puts forth goals and targets for the revitalization of the Hudson River and its valley.
"The Action
Agenda is our blueprint for the next five years to clean our water,
protect fish and wildlife habitats, address the impacts of climate
change, and promote Hudson River recreation," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. "We urge all
interested parties to study the Action Agenda and provide us with
input."
Written comments may be submitted until February 22. Comments may be emailed to hrep@gw.dec.state.ny.us (please include the words "Draft Action Agenda"
in the subject line) or by mail to: Action Agenda, Hudson River Estuary
Program, NYSDEC Region 3 Office, 21 South Putt Corners Road, New Paltz,
NY 12561.
 These are two images found in the Dept. of Environmental Conservation's "State of the Hudson 2009." Click here to download this report. At right is the present day Hudson River off
Lower Manhattan; at left is the same location imagined by a team of researchers
led by Eric Sanderson, known as the Mannahatta Project.
- A new climate change goal that promotes the adoption of New York
State's ClimateSmart Communities Pledge in Hudson Valley communities
and identifies actions needed to help waterfront communities prepare
for flooding from sea-level rise and strong storms.
A pilot watershed management project that will encourage protection of streams and drinking water sources. A pilot project to improve coordination of management of existing
state-owned property on or in sight of the Hudson to conserve scenery
and habitats and support recreation. River access facilities for underserved communities and support for
the New York State Clean Marina Program and Clean Vessel Act Pumpout
Program. Incorporation of urban-greening, green infrastructure and
smart-growth principles in local waterfront revitalization programs
along with planning for future water and sewer infrastructure
improvements and upgrades for aging systems in Hudson River Valley
communities. Improved management of river sediment to address navigation and safety needs, as well as the ecological health of the river. Partnership in the Hudson River Environmental Conditions Observing
System (HRECOS), a network of continuous monitoring stations
geographically distributed from Schodack Island to the New York/New
Jersey harbor to monitor river conditions.
The final Action Agenda 2010-2014 is expected to be released in April 2010.
|
NYC Sewage Treatment Hits a Milestone
The City has been allowed to operate at a lower standard for pollution removal than required by the Federal Clean Water Act. Until now.
New York Harbor and its waterways are consistently cleaner
due in great part to a multi-year upgrade at Newtown Creek
_____________________________________
Each day, more than one billion gallons of water course through 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts to the residents of New York City. Used water departs through 7,400 miles of sewer lines that lead to 14 treatment plants around the city. Click here for a detailed explanation of the process.
While the Federal Clean Water Act requires that at least 85% of pollutants be removed from wastewater before it is released back into local waterways, New York City has been allowed to meet a lower standard in the winter months when treatment processes are less efficient. This has now changed thanks to major improvements at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
On January 29, NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway and NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis announced that the City's 14 wastewater treatment plants are now regularly exceeding the mandated pollutant -removal levels. From now on, the commissioners stated, the City will be held accountable for meeting the federal monthly standard.
What finally enabled the City to comply with this part of the Clean Water Act? The commissioners pointed to an ongoing $5 billion infrastructure upgrade at the Newtown Creek plant. "The fact that we could reach this milestone in the middle of construction is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of DEP's plant operators, and is a prime example of how the City and our regulatory partners can work together to get results," said Commissioner Holloway.
Above, a photograph of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the largest of the City's 14 water pollution control plants. Upgrade work on the 43-year-old plant began in 1998. Below, a map showing that the plant is located in Brooklyn, on the shores of Newtown Creek, which empties into the East River.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turning the Tide: New York's Waterfront in Transition
You
are invited to a four-part series of seminars on the transformation of
the New York City waterfront and New York Harbor. The colloquia, free
to the public, have been organized
by the CUNY Institute for Sustainable Cities (CISC), in collaboration
with the Roosevelt House Institute of Public Policy at Hunter College
and the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. Advance registration is
required. Click here to visit CISC online, or contact Carina Molnar at (212) 650-3456
SESSION 1: Wednesday, Feb. 24
"Opening Out Towards the Water"-The Big Picture
Hunter College Faculty Dining Room, West Building, 8th Floor (SW corner of 68th Street and Lexington Ave.)
- Moderator: Dr. William Solecki, Director, CISC
- Speakers/Panelists
Wilbur L. Woods, Director, Waterfront and Open Space Planning, NYCDCP Roland Lewis. CEO, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance SESSION 2: Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Waterfront Parks: Old, New, Green, Blue Roosevelt House, 47-49 E. 65th Street
- Moderator: Dr. Rutherford H. Platt, Senior Fellow, CISC
- Speaker/Panelists:
SESSION 3: Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Seizing Opportunities: Waterfront Works in Progress Roosevelt House, 47-49 E. 65th Street
SESSION 4 Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Reviving the Estuary: Science and Education Roosevelt House, 47-49 E. 65th Street
|
Kosciuszko
Bridge Designs Go Public
Tell NYS DOT which of the four versions of the new bridge you like best The Kosciuszko Bridge spans Newtown Creek, connecting Brooklyn and Queens via Interstate 278 (aka the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway). To pinpoint the location of the aging bridge, which the State Dept. of Transportion is planning to replace, refer to the map in the story above.
Featuring a steel truss design popular in the 1930s, the bridge opened in 1939 and was named in honor of Tadeus Kosciuszko, a well-respected Polish military engineer who commanded this country's troops in the American Revolution. He was responsible for the fortification of West Point, which famously included a 60-ton chain that stretched across the Hudson River to block British ships from advancing.
After years of analysis, research and work with the community, the State DOT has been authorized by the Federal Highway Administration to proceed with its bridge replacement project. Now six lanes wide, the new, mile-long bridge built of steel and concrete will widen to nine lanes, five eastbound (toward Queens) and four westbound (toward Brooklyn). A bicycle path and pedestrian walkway will be part of the project. Construction is expected to begin in the spring or summer of 2014, according to DOT spokesperson Adam Levine.
 The final four designs of the new Kosciuszko Bridge will be presented to the public at open houses on February 18 and 24. "At the upcoming public meetings, we'll have more detailed graphics,
including video renderings of the different design variations and
images from many different viewpoints," Mr. Levine promised. The open houses will focus on the four conceptual designs for the main span of the bridge (the portion that crosses Newtown Creek) that the DOT, with input from the Stakeholders' Advisory Committee, has decided to advance. The rendering above shows a new "cable-stayed" Kosciuszko Bridge. DOT officials are eager to hear your input at either of the following meetings: - Thursday, February 18
Christ the King Regional High School, 68-02 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, Queens
3pm-8pm: informal discussion and review of graphics and 3D animations
3:30pm and 6:30pm: presentation
- Wednesday, February 24th
St. Cecilia´s Church, 84 Herbert Street (enter gym on North Henry St), Greenpoint, Brooklyn
3pm-8pm: informal discussion and review of graphics and 3D animations
3:30pm and 6:30pm: presentation
|
Ships, Explorers and the World Trade Center
An ancient keel, anchor and cannon are among the maritime relics exhibited at India House
 As workers excavated Lower Manhattan land in 1916, preparing for the IRT subway tunnel at the site of the future World Trade Center, they came upon the charred remains of the keel of an old ship. Historical records were examined, and experts concluded that the old timbers were from the Dutch trader Adrian Block's ship Tijger, which burned on the Hudson in 1614.
Fifty years later, an old anchor and a Dutch cannon were recovered from the mud as excavation began for the Twin Towers. At right is a photograph of the anchor, which was lashed to WTC basement pipes until it was rediscovered after the 1993 bombing. At that point, its historic significance recognized, the anchor was presented to the National Maritime Historic Society.
These maritime relics have been brought back temporarily to Lower Manhattan and are featured in a new exhibition called "Ships, Explorers and the World Trade Center" at India House on Hanover Square. Itself a historic symbol, India House was established in 1914 based on 17th-century corporations such as the Dutch East India Company, and was a prototype for the World Trade Center.
An artifact of the recent past -- a piece of World Trade Center steel -- is included in the exhibit. In dedicating the steel, Carla Bonacci, assistant director of WTC construction for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, said, "Artifacts such as the anchor and this WTC steel link together the earlier function of the [World Trade Center] site for ships, explorers and trade with the later function of the site as a lcoation for managing shipping and international trade."
The exhibition is open only through the end of the month, Monday through Friday, from 11am to 3:30pm. Guided tours available at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm each exhibition day. Suggestion donation is $10 per person. Please check www.indiahousefoundation.org for more information.
|
Grow your green business! Sponsored by CBS Television & Riverkeeper, supported by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, and
co-located with the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, Go Green
Expo is the largest eco-event in New York City. Coming to Pier 92/94
March 19-21, it is the only event that combines both Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer events into one cost-effective show. Join over 200 companies with speaker sessions hosted by eco-celebrities including Ed Begley Jr., Mariel Hemingway and more. A limited number of booths are still available. Contact Bradford 212-655-4505 ext 223 or email brand@gogreenexpo.com
|
Row New York Empowers Girls Across the City
Tryouts are this Friday! Skimming along the water in a shell, focusing on the stroke, the slice of the oar into the water, the leap of the boat as all rowers pull together -- can this really take place in New York City?
Rowing in NYC used to be almost impossible -- a great frustration for New York-bound college athletes who were passionate about the sport but unable to continue rowing after graduation. The past decade has seen a gratifying expansion of rowing opportunities in New York, particularly with the opening of the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse on the Harlem River in 2004.
 In 2002, a unique non-profit program called Row New York, combining intensive athletic training with individual academic support, was founded. Specifically targetting high school girls in New York City, Row New York has grown tremendously. All graduates of the program -- and there have been hundreds -- have gone on to college, many on rowing and academic scholarships.
Tryouts for the free Row New York program are being held this Friday, February 5 at 4pm at the Flushing YMCA (138-46 Northern Boulevard). Any girl in grade 7 through 11 is
invited to try out for the team. No rowing experience is necessary. Call 718-433-3075 or email info@rownewyork.org for more information. |
|
|
