York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Study (HATS) – Engagement, Comment Deadline, Upcoming Public Meeting

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With the recent extension of the public comment review period from March 7, 2023 to March 31, 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District is announcing two additional informational virtual public meetings for the New York New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries (NYNJHAT) Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) Feasibility Study.

The purpose of these meetings is to inform the public of the NYNJHAT Study Draft Integrated Feasibility Report (FR) and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP), and to solicit public feedback on this tentative plan selection to manage coastal storm risk in the Study Area.

The Draft Integrated FR/Tier 1 EIS is posted to the Study website at https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/NYNJHATS.

About the Study

The NYNJHAT Study purpose is to determine the feasibility of constructing a technically feasible, environmentally acceptable, and economically justified project that will manage coastal storm risk while supporting the Study Area’s economic and community resilience. The Study Area includes 25 counties in New Jersey and New York, including Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex, Hudson, Union, Somerset, Middlesex, and Monmouth Counties in New Jersey; and Rensselaer, Albany, Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Ulster, Putnam, Orange, Westchester, Rockland, Bronx, New York, Queens, Kings, Richmond, and Nassau Counties in New York.

The need for the NYNJHAT Study derives from the significant and widespread damage to communities, infrastructure, and the economy caused by coastal storms.  Hurricane Sandy (2012) highlighted a need for a comprehensive and collaborative evaluation of coastal storm risk to communities along the Atlantic Coast.  The storm flooded or otherwise impacted homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, and caused blackouts, school and businesses closures, gas shortages, and many deaths.  This need has been recognized by the President, the U.S. Congress, USACE, the states of New York and New Jersey, the City of New York, other municipal governments, federal and local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public at large.

Study Website: https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/NYNJHATS

New York District Social Media Accounts:

• https://twitter.com/USACE_NY
• https://www.facebook.com/USACE.NewYorkDistrict

Please Submit Comments by March 31, 2023

The public comment period for the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement has been extended from March 7, 2023 to *March 31, 2023.* Your office and your constituents can send written comments to nynjharbor.tribstudy@usace.army.mil, or via mail to Mr. Bryce Wisemiller or Ms. Cheryl Alkemeyer (contact info is on the study website) by this date.

The public is invited to submit comments electronically or in writing, by March 31, 2023, to:

Mr. Bryce W. Wisemiller, Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District
Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, Room 17-401
c/o PSC Mail Center
26 Federal Plaza
New York, New York 10278
nynjharbor.tribstudy@usace.army.mil

or

Ms. Cheryl R. Alkemeyer, NEPA Lead
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
New York District
Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, Room 17-420
c/o PSC Mail Center
26 Federal Plaza
New York, New York 10278
nynjharbor.tribstudy@usace.army.mil