Advocate to Run, Bike, Paddle Around Randall's Island to Raise Money and

WHEN: Sunday November 26 2006 10 AM
WHERE: North West Corner of Randall's Island
CONTACT: Harry J. Bubbins
http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org
646.206.5288

On Sunday November 26th, local advocate and activist Harry Bubbins will run,
bike and paddle in a kayak around Randall's Island to raise awareness about
various projects that would damage this important resource for all New
Yorkers. This mini triathlon is also to raise money for preservation
efforts led by Friends of Brook Park and other organizations.

"The proposed private beach club, theme park and power plant would destroy
26 acres of ball fields and open space," Harry noted. "If David Blaine can
hang from a hook and get media coverage for his foibles, I figured I could
run, bike and kayak around a location that is really meaningful." Bubbins
further noted the proposal that would grant exclusive access to 2o elite
schools for over 20 years, to the detriment of the rest of New Yorkers.

The grassroots campaign to protect the public access and natural areas of
Randall's Island has included a boycott of the theme park proposers, Aquatic
Development Group and the public relations firms associated with it, as well
as a meeting with The Mayor.

The immediate goal of $1,000 for a planned lawsuit has been achieved with advance pledges, but the
overall fundraising drive is to reach $45,000 for general operating on this matter.

Bubbins noted that there is still time to make a Pledge at:

http://preserverandallsisland.pledgepage.org/

Background Information:
http://eastharlempreservation.org/docs/Randalls_Island.htm

Mayor Meets with Randall's Island Paddling Advocates

South Bronx Greenway Plan Unveiling
Mayor Meets with Randall's Island Paddling Advocates
Contact: Harry, 646 206 5288, information (at) friendsofbrookpark.org
Robert 212 973 1782 mutualaid (at) earthlink.net

The Mayor of the City of New York hosted a press event at 10:00 am on Monday, November 20th at Hunts Point Landing (Farragut Street end) to announce the release of the South Bronx Greenway Masterplan.

The Masterplan has been spearheaded by local groups Sustainable South Bronx and The Point and represents an important hallmark in the revitalization of the area in cooperation with the community, elected officials and local businesses.

Advocates with Friends of Brook Park, supporters of the Greenway, arrived at the future waterfront park sight by kayak from Randall's Island to highlight the many linkages the Greenway will entail.

"We applaud the Mayor for his support of this grassroots effort. It is imperative for the successful completion of the Greenway that Randall's Island remain publicly accessible, and the proposed private beach and waterpark be scuttled as soon as possible." Harry J. Bubbins stated to the Mayor, who read from the advocate's postcard from the podium.

Fellow kayaker Robert Jereski engaged in a discussion of ideas about the further privatization of the ball fields currently proposed by the Parks Department with Commissioner Benepe, even suggesting to the Commissioner that Governor's Island would be more appropriate for a water theme park.

Assembly Member Diaz applauded his fellow State officials for championing the fully funded Environmental Protection Fund, which provides resources for community groups such as Friends of Brook Park to replicate borough successes on the neglected Harlem River,

Numerous local elected officials were on hand, including Congress Member Jose E. Serrano, Assembly Member Ruben Diaz, Bronx Borough President Adolofo Carrion and other agency heads. Almost all of them indicated an interest in paddling the waterways in the near future, when it is warmer!

Many camera crews and print media filmed the departure of the intrepid paddlers with the current, bringing more interest and attention to the diverse and active paddling community of New York City.

http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=64482

http://www.nyc.gov/html/om/html/2006b/media/pc112006-greenway300k.asx

http://www.newyorkbusiness.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061120/FREE/61120011/1079/FREE


E-Action for Randall's Island

Protect our natural wetlands and waterways and park space from corporate development!

Write (or cut and paste) to the NYSDEC Commissioner at:

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/about/emailform.html


Re: Project Number 02DPR010M with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation as lead agency the proposed 26 acre development of a private beach club and water theme park requires a Tidal Wetlands Permit according to 6NYCRR661.

The proposed Aquatic Development Group private beach club and water theme park indicate that the 26 acres of parkland that would be destroyed would also directly encroach and obliterate on the wetlands along the Bronx Kill and the Harlem River, with a 12 foot fence along the immediate shoreline.

I am requesting immediate information regarding this matter of Project Number 02DPR010M, and an update.

In addition, it is imperative that a public hearing be held on this Major Project as well as a completed Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) according to regulations.

Also, please forward all document requests to Friends of Brook Park including all documents related to this project and the permit application and any pre and conference meetings, reports by marine biologists, and whatever else they have requested.

I look forward to your written response.

_MORE DETAILS BELOW!!!!


------ Forwarded Message
From: "Harry J. Bubbins"
Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 12:22:56 -0800
Conversation: Letter re: Randall's island
Subject: Letter re: Randall's island

Dear Government Elected Official
City, State and Federal Representatives:
And Supporters

This letter is to request your involvement in a Tidal Wetlands Permit matter with the New York State Department of Conservation for a proposed development on Randall's Island in New York City which is extremely time sensitive!

After many months of delay, our FOIL request has yielded the following information: according to the April 23rd 2004 City Environmental Quality Review Negative Declaration Notice of Determination of Non Significance of Project Number 02DPR010M with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation as lead agency the proposed 26 acre development of a private beach club and water theme park requires a Tidal Wetlands Permit according to 6NYCRR661.

Our review of the recently FOIL released designs for the proposed Aquatic Development Group proposed private beach club and water theme park indicate that the 26 acres of parkland that would be destroyed would also directly encroach and obliterate on the wetlands along the Bronx Kill and the Harlem River, with a 12 foot fence along the immediate shoreline.

Please direct a letter to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Conservation requesting immediate information regarding this matter of Project Number 02DPR010M, including all documents related to this project and the permit application and any pre and conference meetings, reports by marine biologists, and whatever else. In addition, it is imperative that a public hearing be held on this Major Project as well as a completed Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) according to regulations. In your letter you could also explore the potential conflict of interests that emerge when a city agency is in change or land use review and determinations of significance when it would stand to profit in the millions of dollars from the implementation of such a project, and if there are review mechanisms in place at any government level.

As you know, the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Conservation has ultimate oversight of the Tidal Wetlands Permit Program.
Tidal wetlands line much of the salt water shore, bays, inlets, canals, and estuaries of Long Island, New York City, and Westchester County. They also line the Hudson River in Westchester and Rockland Counties upstream to the salt line.

In addition, most wetlands will come under the jurisdiction of the US Army Corps of Engineers whether protected by DEC or not. This project would come within 100 ft. of a protected wetland, and therefore requires a marine habitat protection biologist to come to the site and mark the wetland boundary. We would like any information about this.

Given the confluence of City, State, and federal oversight, we are requesting all of your involvement.

The tidal wetlands regulations apply anywhere tidal inundation occurs on a daily, monthly or intermittent basis, including but not exclusively within the salt wedge. Vegetation in intertidal areas beyond the range of the salt wedge is classified as coastal fresh marsh.

Tidal wetlands are valued for marine food production; wildlife habitat; flood, hurricane, and storm control; recreation; cleansing of ecosystems; absorption of silt and organic material; education and research opportunities; and aesthetic values. Areas adjacent to tidal wetlands often carry many of the same or similar valuable attributes and, in addition, provide a valuable buffer for the wetlands.

Certain kinds of human activities can adversely affect, and in some cases destroy, the delicate ecological balance of these important areas. The policy of New York State, as set forth in the Tidal Wetlands Act, is to preserve and protect these wetlands.

To implement this policy, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) administers the Tidal Wetlands Regulatory Program which is designed to prevent the despoliation and destruction of tidal wetlands by establishing and enforcing regulations that:
1 . Preserve, protect, and enhance the present and potential values of tidal wetlands,

2 . Protect the public health and welfare, and

3 . Give due consideration to the reasonable economic and social development of the state.

Thank you for your time and attention to this TIME SENSITIVE matter. Please direct a letter to the Commissioner of the NYSDEC regarding the above outlined matter. Please use the same language as above if you find it helpful.

Please cc us on this matter as soon as possible.

Thank you again for your support.


Harry J. Bubbins
Director