The Environmental Assessment setting forth the NPS plans for restoring the West Pond at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge can be found at the site referenced below. Thanks should be given to all birders who worked hard in obtaining this result, particularly the Birders Coalition for the West Pond, the NYC Audubon Society and ther other organizations who participated in this long-running process. And, oh, yes, the breach will be filled, fresh water will be returned and in the future additional trails, boardwalks, blinds, etc., will be provided.
From: "Yun, Daphne" <[email protected]> Date: Oct 2, 2015 8:09 AM Subject: West Pond EA Public Release To: Cc: Environmental Assessment Notice of Public Availability and Open House: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, West Pond Breach Repair Project The National Park Service (NPS) has made available for public and regulatory review the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Jamaica Bay Unit, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, West Pond Breach Repair Project. This project would make the West Pond embankment and loop trail resilient to coastal storms and flooding and protect environmentally sensitive conditions along the West Pond loop trail that support a diversity of Jamaica Bay habitat, wildlife and enhanced visitor experience. The EA evaluates the potential impacts of four alternatives: two action alternatives, the NPS preferred alternative and the no-action alternative. The NPS preferred alternative includes filling and repairing the primary and secondary breaches and the subsequent restoration of West Pond and the loop trail. The preferred alternative would be implemented in phases, with the initial phase addressing filling and repairing the primary and secondary breaches, replacing the water control structure, the possible installation of a supplemental water supply system (either groundwater or municipal water) to provide freshwater to the pond, and restoring the West Pond loop trail. Future phases of work would include upland habitat restoration at Terrapin Point, shoreline and saltmarsh restoration to increase resiliency against potential future storm damage, and installation of other visitor amenities, such as boardwalks, trails, pathways, viewing blinds, and educational signage. The ongoing participation of the public is very important to the success of this project. We invite you to attend an Open House to learn more about the project, the Environmental Assessment, ask questions, and share your comments. Open House: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Thursday, October 22nd, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. 715-10 Cross Bay Boulevard Broad Channel, Queens, New York The EA will be available for public review and comment for a period of 30 days from October 6th through November 6th, 2015. Please go to http://parkplanning.nps.gov/gate to view the EA and comment electronically. You are also welcome to mail comments directly to: Office of the Superintendent Gateway National Recreation Area, Fort Wadsworth Attn: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge West Pond EA Project 210 New York Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10305 Please postmark written comments by November 6th for consideration. For more information on Gateway National Recreation Area and this project, please go to: http://www.nps.gov/gate. Daphne Yun Acting Public Affairs Officer Gateway National Recreation Area 718-354-4602 917-282-9393 Follow us on Twitter @GatewayNPS Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GatewayNPS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsSubscribeConfigurationLeave.htm ARCHIVES: 1) http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/maillist.html 2) http://www.surfbirds.com/birdingmail/Group/NYSBirds-L 3) http://birdingonthe.net/mailinglists/NYSB.html Please submit your observations to eBird: http://ebird.org/content/ebird/ --
