Marsh To Get $7M For Restoration
BY DOMENICK RAFTER
The ongoing efforts to bring Jamaica Bay back to its natural glory got a boost last week worth $7 million.
As part of the project, 300,000 cubic yards of dredged material will be placed on the 50-acres of Yellow Bar Hassock Island to allow a new marshland to form. The project is part of the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers Continuing Authorities Program (CAP). The NYC Dept. of Environmental Protection and New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation asked the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers to help restore Jamaica Bay’s lost marshland as part of CAP and the first project, at Elder Point West, began in 2006. The marshland restoration is part of a series of ongoing projects aimed at restoring the once notoriously polluted body of water. Jamaica Bay’s ecosystem was nearly destroyed by decades of sewage discharge and pollution.
“This grant will help restore the delicate ecosystem of Jamaica Bay to its former greatness,” Assemblyman Philip Goldfeder (D-Far Rockaway) said.
U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) said he was pleased with the marshland restoration projects in the bay and the attention the bay, which is part of the federally-managed Gateway National Recreation Center, is receiving from the U.S. Dept. of Interior.
“During the summer, we did a tour with some local elected officials and some community people and some environmentalists around Jamaica Bay and I did see substantial progress,” Meeks said. “It’s not being neglected as it once was and we do have to keep that pressure on.”
The marshland restoration project will impact travel around the bay this winter. Because of the ongoing dredging work, the Gil Hodges-Marine Parkway Bridge will periodically be closed to be raised to allow dredging equipment moving sand from the Ambrose Channel in Lower New York Park to the restored marshland to pass the bridge. The closures will begin Thursday, Jan. 26 and last through the month of February. If possible motorists are advised to use the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge as an alternate.
Reach Reporter Domenick Rafter at drafter@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400 Ext. 125.