Legislators Call For More Study Of NY Harbor Flood Plan

WHITE PLAINS, NY — Members of the Westchester County Board of Legislators are asking the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a more in-depth study of a plan that could permanently alter the landscape and damage the ecosystem of the Hudson River and the Long Island Sound. A coastal flood mitigation plan under consideration would erect giant sea barriers to block New York Harbor, the western end of Long Island Sound, the Hutchinson River, and other waterways.

These barriers will disrupt the migration of species and irrevocably change life for the residents of Westchester County. Legislators are concerned because proposals are being fast-tracked to conform to arbitrary limits that could be lifted by Congress.

The legislators are calling for the Corps to extend the period for public comment, which is set to end Nov. 5; hold more public hearings; and release all scientific and design information.

Nancy Barr, D-Harrison, Port Chester, Rye Brook, chairwoman of the board’s Environment, Health and Energy Committee, said, “It is inconceivable to me that a project of this magnitude, which could do irreparable damage and change the environment for generations, is being considered with such limited study of the potential impacts.”

Tracy Brown, director, Save the Sound, said, “Action must be taken to protect coastal communities from the impacts of climate change but fast-tracking the construction of massive in-water barriers is not the answer. We need more robust analysis of the impacts and alternatives and a process that includes all stakeholders, which definitely includes communities on the Sound shore.”

John Lipscomb, a patrol boat captain and vice president for advocacy at Riverkeeper went a step further, saying plans for massive, in-water barriers “should be withdrawn. The Corps and New York State should start over with plans that address both storms and sea level rise without harming the River.”

The Corps’ public comment period has been extended through Nov. 5, but the last scheduled public hearing on the proposal is set for this Thursday, Sept. 20 at the New York Aquarium in Brooklyn.

Video of Tuesday’s meeting of the Board’s Environment, Health and Energy Committee meeting with representatives of Riverkeeper and Save the Sound is available here: https://bit.ly/2D9dl64

Photo caption: A moribund proposal for a New York harbor storm-surge barrier, originally proposed by the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan Storm Surge Working Group, is being resurrected by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as one of the alternatives in their ongoing New York and New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study. Photo credit: Courtesy State Sen. Murphy's Office.