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VOLUNTEER ON JULY 16
For City of Water Day 2011. Be part of this terrific event! Training sessions on June 30 and July 7. Click here for information.
WRITER NEEDED The Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) is soliciting bids to assist in the writing and editing of its 10-year strategic plan and web site. The writer will gather information through interviews, write the Strategic Plan and create a consistent voice for the website. For more information on the scope of work, email katie@gowanuscanalconservancy.com. Bids must be submitted by June 28th at 5pm. MARITIME SERVICES
OspreyMaritimeServices.com Charters, Instruction, Deliveries James Chambers, Founder Osprey Maritime Services, LTD (917)796-9631 |
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Events on the Waterfront
Click on the links for details about these events. A calendar of events
may be found at www.waterfrontalliance.org/calendar
| June 24
Swim: Liberty Island Swim
5:15p, Liberty Island main dock
Fish: Fishing Clinic
5p-7p, Lower East Side Ecology Center, East 10th Street and the East River
June 25
Competition: Liberty World Outrigger
Gather at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Program: Osprey on the Wing
10a, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Festival: Hunts Point Fish Parade and Festival
10:30a, Hunts Point, Riverside Park
Bike Tour: Old Brooklyn Waterworks
11a, Jamaica Ave. & Highland Blvd.
Fish: Fishing Festival
11a, West Harlem Piers Park, W. 125th St.
Festival: Raritan Bay Festival
12p, Conference House Park, Staten Island
June 26
Hike: Seaside Treasures
11a, Ocean Breeze Pier, Staten Island
Show: Showboat Shazzam!
1p, Waterfront Museum & Showboat Barge, Conover St near Fairway, Red Hook
June 28
Boat Tour: Hidden Harbor North River Tour
6:15p, Pier 16, South Street Seaport
June 30
Boating: Introduction to Kayaking
10:30a, Great Kills Park Beach Center
Benefit: Newark's Riverfront Revival
6p, Passaic River
July 2
Boating: Bronx River Tidal Paddle
10a, Concrete Plant Park
July 4
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
| To the editor,
The June 9, 2011 edition of WaterWire reports, "EPA Tentatively Agrees to Ban on Dumping in LI Sound."
Since boaters reap the benefits of clean water and healthy ecosystems, we agree that our waters need to be protected and preserved. However, as the recreational boaters' advocate, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) would like to point out that there is more to the issue than what perhaps the source of this story, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC), is sharing with the public. Specifically:
Boaters have not been allowed to dump untreated sewage in any inland waters since the Federal Clean Water Act of 1972. The November 2010 NYDEC press release discussing the state's request to the EPA for the No Discharge Zone omits this fact.
The agency's No Discharge Zones in New York State Web site also states: "A No Discharge Zone designation means that it is illegal for boaters to discharge on-board sewage into the designated waterbody. This includes treated sewage, as well as untreated sewage." Again, the discharge of untreated sewage has been illegal for 39 years.
The declaration of No Discharge Zone only addresses recreational boat (and commercial vessel) sewage that has been treated with an onboard "Type I" treatment system that treats sewage to similar standards found at many municipal waste treatment plants. Very few recreational vessels have these Type I treatment systems installed aboard their vessels - we estimate this number to be fewer that one in ten boats. Most recreational boats with bathroom facilities have a holding tank that is periodically emptied at a marina pumpout station.
Unfortunately, by inferring that boaters are the justification for a No Discharge Zone, they are being unfairly portrayed as the source of this pollution. This is especially troublesome when it is widely accepted that other sources of pollution from antiquated septic systems, municipal treatment plants and agriculture have incrementally larger impacts on water quality.
As an example, just today, the Hudson Riverkeeper announced an online petition to demand sewer upgrades, largely as a result of the accidental dumping of over 19 million gallons of partially treated sewage into the Hudson River in 2010. This total doesn't include the permitted discharges from combined sewer overflows.
We only ask for fairness when attempting to portray recreational boating's impact on our waterways.
-D. Scott Croft BoatUS Public Affairs |
MWA Blue Bulletin Board |
MWA WATERFRONT CONFERENCE MATERIALS AVAILABLEInterested in seeing presentations from MWA's 2010 Waterfront Conference last November? Click here to see videos and minutes from each conference session MWA ADDRESS
241 Water Street, 3rd FloorNew York, NY 10038. MWA EMAIL ADDRESSESOur waterwire.net addresses are no longer in service. All MWA emails end in waterfrontalliance.org.
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| CONTENTS: June 24, 2011 | Queens Residents have Big Dreams for their Waterfront
Green Shores NYC and Trust for Public Land have guided the visioning process
What To Do With an Old Fireboat?
Firefighter, a National Historic Landmark, is not going gentle into that good night
Free Boat Rides on City of Water Day!
Get ready to reserve tickets on June 29
Do You Have What it Takes to Activate Pier 15?
Program dock space on north, east & south sides, plus interior space
Newark's Riverfront Revival Makes a Difference
Access to the Passaic River is paramount
Benefit for Historic Ships on the Fourth of July
Pier 66 Maritime: a prime viewing spot!
Fun is Guaranteed When You Volunteer at City of Water Day!
Information on upcoming training sessions
Meet Some MWA Partners
Newslinks
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QUEENS DREAMS OF A 21ST-CENTURY WATERFRONT
| | Astoria/LIC Residents Map Out Future Access and Activity
 For many decades, most of the East River shoreline of Queens between Newtown Creek and Bowery Bay was blocked by industry. As manufacturing moved out of the City, waterfront sites began to be converted to residential use -- but the new look of the Queens waterfront did not usually make it all the way to the water. Today, only 27% of the eight miles of Queens East River shoreline is publicly accessible.
The residents of western Queens aim to change that. On June 16, they presented the Waterfront Vision Plan for Astoria and Long Island City. Guided by Green Shores NYC, a coalition of individuals, community groups and local Queens businesses, with the help of the Trust for Public Land, the creation of this plan has taken about a year. Hundreds of people gave more than a thousand suggestions and ideas at a series of community sessions that began last summer.
The plan's three overarching themes are a) connecting people to the waterfront and connecting waterfront spaces to each other; b) enhancing the natural landscape and promoting the river as a recreational and educational resource; and c) creating, improving and maintaining user-friendly facilities, amenities and infrastructure along the waterfront. You may download the plan here.
Proposals zeroed in on seven specific waterfront areas:
1. Pulaski Bridge Improvements Improve connections between the waterfront communities of Hunters Point, Queens and Greenpoint, Brooklyn by making the Pulaski Bridge safer and more accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. Reconfigure entrance and exit ramps, expand the pedestrian/bike lane and improve bridge signage.  2. Queensbridge Park Seawall
(rendering at right) Restore waterfront access in Queensbridge Park by repairing the seawall. Create natural wetlands and an attractive esplanade. 3. Rainey Park to Hallets Cove Use modest design interventions to create an uninterrupted stretch of continuous waterfront linking Rainey Park, Socrates Sculpture Park and Hallets Cove. 4. New Hallets Pier Transfer the city-owned pier in Hallets Cove to the NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation and renovate it for community use, including boat storage and boat launch access. 5. Two Coves Corridor Improve waterfront access along the Two Coves Corridor, linking Hallets Cove, the Astoria Houses Esplanade, Whitey Ford Field and Pot Cove. Ensure that any new residential development provides attractive and continuous access. 6. Astoria Park Shoreline Make the Astoria Park Shoreline more inviting for pedstrians, with a wider, well-landscaped esplanade. Explore traffic-calming measure to ensure a safe and more enjoyable waterfront experieince for pedestrians and cyclist.  7. Luyster Creek
(map at right, rendering below) Transfer the shoreline of Luyster Creek along the end of 19th Avenue from the NYC Dept. of Transportation to the Dept. of Parks & Recreation in order to provide green space and waterfront access to Upper Ditmars. Create public viewing areas, safe water access and boat storage.  The Queens community is particularly fired up about the Luyster Creek and Queensbridge Park Seawall proposals, believing them to be relatively easy to accomplish. First on the agenda, however, is outreach. "Right now we're setting up meetings and giving presentations," said Green Shores president Katie Ellman. "Within the next month we'll probably have a plan for attacking specific proposals."
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WHAT TO DO WITH AN OLD FIREBOAT?
| | Firefighters Seek a Second Act for the Firefighter
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All photos by Old Tacoma Marine. Click image to see more Firefighter photos by Old Tacoma Marine on Flickr.
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"This boat is a marvel, technologically. It's an impressive piece of machinery."
Lt. Chris Walsh of the FDNY, Marine Division, was talking about the Firefighter. The most powerful pumping fireboat in the world when it was built in 1938, the boat was retired last year when its 21st-century replacement, Firefighter II, chugged into New York Harbor.
Now the FDNY is trying to find someone who will organize Act II for the Firefighter. Given National Historic Landmark status in 1989, the vessel is deemed "nationally significant" -- but the designation unfortunately does not come with a "do not destroy" clause. Owners of some National Historic Landmarks have been forced to dispose of them, and Firefighter's brass and copper parts are especially enticing to scrappers. "We're trying to make sure the boat doesn't end up in the scrapyard," said Lt. Walsh.
Firefighter's long, proud history begins with World War II, when she was requisitioned by the U.S. Coast Guard, painted battleship gray and patrolled the harbor with other New York City police and fireboats. Returned to civilian duty, her next major incident occurred in 1942, when she tried, unsuccessfully, to save the SS Normandie, which had caught on fire at the Passenger Ship Terminal and eventually sank. In recent years, Firefighter has continued to prove indispensable; notably in September of 2001, alongside the John J. Harvey, when she pumped Hudson River water into the burning World Trade Center site, and in January of 2009, when she came to the aid of passengers clambering out of the plane that landed in the Hudson River.
Perhaps the vessel's most famous firefight was in the summer of 1973, when SS Sea Witch rammed into Esso Brussels in New York Harbor at night and both ships burst into flames. Capt. Joe Gagliardi, Firefighter's pilot, takes up the tale. "The Sea Witch, a container ship, was leaving the port and lost steering," he said. "She collided with Esso Brussels, which was fully loaded with crude oil and at anchor off Stapleton. The impact punctured the tank and broke the anchor chain. Locked together, both ships caught on fire and began to drift toward the Verrazzano Bridge. The water was burning because it was covered with oil. The Firefighter was first on scene. As they were going around the ship, a firefighter noticed someone waving a flashlight on Sea Witch. They went through the flames and pulled 21 guys off the ship."
For this bravery, Firefighter's crew received the National Maritime Meritorious Service Medal and the American Merchant Marine Association Seamanship Trophy, and Firefighter itself was designated a "Gallant Ship," the government's highest award for a non-naval vessel.
Firefighter was designed by the famous naval architecture firm Gibbs & Cox and was built at Staten Island's United Shipyard, which later became Bethlehem Steel. The vessel uses "a diesel-electric system powered by two Winton diesel engines to run its propulsion system and water pumps," according to Old Tacoma Marine, a company dedicated to the maintenance of antique diesel engines. Firefighter can pump 20,000 gallons per minute.
Firefighter was the first fireboat to be pilothouse-controlled. "Before that, they had the telegraph system, where the engineer would answer the bells," said Capt. Gagliardi. "With the Firefighter, the pilot had the throttles to go forward."
 Today, Firefighter is docked at FDNY Marine Division headquarters at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, waiting for her next orders. Several people have contacted Capt. Walsh with ideas for the vessel's future. One is Andrew Leider, the owner of Staten Island Towing, a colonel in the National Guard and a man with a passion for historic firefighting equipment. He imagines Firefighter as a floating museum on Staten Island's North Shore, and he's got Community Boards 1, 2 and 3 interested in the idea. "We're working on getting reduced or donated drydock space, and we're determining the cost of maintaining the vessel," he said.
On the subject of the future of Firefighter, Lt. Walsh may be reached at walshch@fdny.nyc.gov.
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| CITY OF WATER DAY HIGHLIGHT: FREE RIDES ON HISTORIC BOATS | |
Get Ready--Ticket Reservations Go Live on July 1
 Free rides on the schooner Adirondack, Circle Line, tug Cornell, fireboat John J. Harvey, sloop Ventura, paddleboat Queen of Hearts, NY Water Taxi and other iconic New York City boats are available on July 16, aka City of Water Day!
A full list of vessels, tour themes and speakers will be posted at www.cityofwaterday.org in the coming days. Tickets are available starting on June 29, at two per email address. Click here for more details and spread the word! (back to top) |
EDC SEEKS TO ACTIVATE PIER 15 MARITIME PAVILION AND BERTHING SPACES
| | Pier is an Important Part of City's Effort to Reconnect with Water
 The NYC Economic Development Corporation has issued a Request for Proposals for the lease and operation of the Pier 15 Maritime Pavilion (rendering at right) and accompanying ship berthing spaces.
Located between South Street Seaport and Pier 11/Wall Street, Pier 15 is part of construction of East River Esplanade South. It is expected to be a destination for public and charter vessel excursion services, and a venue for educational programming.
According to the EDC, "The selected lessee will manage, program, and maintain approximately 550 linear feet of available transient boat docking space along the north, east, and south sides of Pier 15. This docking space will allow the lessee to maximize non-commuter passenger vessel services, including; commercial, educational, recreational, private, and other excursion services to and from Pier 15. The Maritime Pavilion will consist of approximately 1,763 SF of programmable interior space. NYCEDC is currently constructing the core and shell of the Maritime Pavilion, as well as a publicly accessible restroom, and expects to complete construction in fall 2011. The selected lessee will be responsible for all necessary internal fit-out and programming of the Maritime Pavilion. Programming must feature a maritime or environmental educational component and additional space may be used for other commercial purposes, excluding food and beverage retail."
Go to www.nycedc.com/rfp for a copy of the RFP. Proposals are due by 4pm on August 9. (back to top)
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NEWARK RIVERFRONT PARK TAKES SHAPE
| |  June 30 Passaic River Cruise to Benefit
Newark's Riverfront Boat Tour Program
In partnership with the County of Essex and the Trust for Public Land, the City of Newark has begun constructing the first section of Newark Riverfront Park, a 7.1-acre park on the Passaic River, with a floating dock and walking/biking trails, in Newark's Ironbound neighborhood. The photo at right shows installation of the subsurface "netting chamber" to prevent waste from combined sewer overflows from entering the Passaic River.
Known as Newark Riverfront Revival (NRR), the waterfront park project has, since 2008, taken more than 1,000 people on boat and walking tours, hosted dozens of outreach events, organized design education programs for youth, and staged a City Hall exhibition.
  This past May, Tibetan monks led community residents to the waterfront for a ceremony, and in June, families enjoyed Fathers Day boat rides. On Thursday, June 30, 6pm to 9pm, the inaugural Wine on the Water will raise money for Newark's boat tour program. Tickets are $100 andmay be purchased here. For more info, call 973-733-3917 or email newarkriverfront@gmail.com. (back to top) |
| FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS GALA TO BENEFIT HISTORIC SHIPS | |  Great Views from the
Pier 66 Maritime Rooftop
For the third year in the row, on the evening of the Fourth of July, the North River Historic Ship Society will host an exclusive party on the rooftop of Pier 66 Maritime, at 26th Street and the Hudson River. Proceeds will benefit historic ship programming.
The tradition began when the late John Krevey, one of the founders of the NRHSS and the co-owner with his wife Angela of Pier 66 Maritime, offered the use of the pier for a fundraiser on Independence Day.
At 26th Street and the Hudson River, Pier 66 Maritime is in prime position for great fireworks viewing, with six fireworks barges between 24th and 50th Streets. The pier is home to the historic Frying Pan lightship and the fireboat John J. Harvey.
The party is from 7pm to 10pm and is limited to the first 100 people who buy tickets in advance. Tickets are $225, which includes a $175 tax-deductible donation to the nonprofit North River Historic Ship Society. For tickets and information, visit www.nrhss.org or call 212-757-1600. (back to top) |
VOLUNTEER AT CITY OF WATER DAY, ON JULY 16
| |  City of Water Day is a free day of entertainment, education and adventure produced by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance that  celebrates the potential of our waterfront. Hundreds of organizations participate, offering free boat rides, fishing, games, films, performances, readings, crafts and much more -- and thousands of people join in. This year, on July 16, City of Water Day will be based at two locations: Governors Island and Liberty State Park.
City of Water Day could not happen without its army of volunteers. Fun is guaranteed! Interested in participating? Check out these training sessions, both of which take place at the Hudson River Foundation, 17 Battery Place (across from Battery Park), Suite 915. Light refreshments will be served.
- Thursday, June 30, 7pm-8:30pm (click here to RSVP by June 28)
- Thursday, July 7, 7pm-8:30pm (click here to RSVP by June 30)
If you are interested in volunteering but cannot attend either session, or if you have questions, please contact Paul Di Salvo at 347-640-8339 or pdisalvo@waterfrontalliance.org. (back to top) |
| MWA PARTNER SPOTLIGHT |
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Expanding every week, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance is more than a coalition; it's a force. We are ferry captains, shipping executives, park directors, scientists, sailors, paddlers, swimmers, teachers, urban planners, architects and more. Together, we advocate for the best possible waterfront in the best possible city, a waterfront that is clean and accessible to all, with a robust maritime workforce and efficient, affordable waterborne transportation. Join us! Contact Louis Kleinman at lkleinman@waterfrontalliance.org. Meet some of our Partners:
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Design Trust for Public Space http://www.designtrust.org/
Improving public space for all New Yorkers.
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Girls at Play http://www.watergirlsatplay.com/
Girls at Play LLC is dedicated to inspiring women and enhancing their lives through kayaking and yoga retreats, classes and trips.
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Manhattan Youth http://www.manhattanyouth.org
Our mission is to provide the highest quality childcare, as well as academic, recreational and cultural activities to individuals and families who live or work in Lower Manhattan, regardless of their income.
- Sail Buffalo Sailing School and Club http://www.sail-buffalo.com/
Sail Buffalo Sailing School and Sailing Club offers Buffalo's only nationally accredited sailing education (ASA), boat share program, unlimited access to sailboats for club members, ongoing educational opportunities, and a place for you in the sailing community. At Sail Buffalo Sailing School our goal is to train people to be safe, confident sailors, and provide on-water access, continuing education, and social networking to our club members. (back to top)
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| WATERFRONT NEWSLINKS |
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Brooklyn Community Marks Canal's Dirty Past, Cleaner FutureNY1, June 22, 2011 Who Will Take the New East River Ferry?The L Magazine, June 22, 2011 At Unique High School, New York Harbor Is the SubjectVoice of America, June 22, 2011 Urban Kayakers gain victory with Con Ed agreeing to move cable barricade at Bronx Kill by year's endDaily News, June 21, 2011 Erica Rose swims to winESPN, June 21, 2011 Plan Seeks to Make Gateway National Recreation Area an "Iconic Urban National Park"National Parks Traveler, June 17, 2011 Once considered irreclaimable, the Arthur Kill and Kill van Kull are slowly, but surely, making an environmental comebackSI Live, June 16, 2011 (back to top)
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