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