“The Jamaica Bay Ecowatcher’s fully sup ort DEP’s Jamaica Bay Improvement Plan and commend them for their outreach to local environmental groups in crafting this proposal,” said Dan Mundy, Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers. “The numerous nature based features incorporated in this plan, including wetlands and ribbed mussels, recognize the critical role these habitats play in naturally cleaning and filtering the waters of the bay. In addition, they host numerous species of fish, reptiles and birds and ultimately have a tremendous positive combined ecological effect on the entire bay. After years of advocating for the bay, it is very encouraging to see the numerous environmental projects “turning the tide” on the health of the bay and producing water quality and restored habitat that guarantees a thriving Jamaica Bay for future generations.”

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/press_releases/18-065pr.shtml#.XBxTqi2ZOu4

by

Ecowatchers advocate for SRIJB research vessel that could be used to allow NYC School Children to learn about Jamaica Bay. Would be great way to allow school kids to learn about the environment of Jamaica Bay

by

For Release: Friday, October 23, 2015
Reef Project Will Improve Fishing and Diving at Rockaway Reef

A new series of man-made reefs will be constructed off the south shore of Long Island to improve marine life habitat and bolster recreational opportunities for fishing and scuba diving, the Department of Environmental Conservation announced today.

Federal and state permits were recently secured for the Rockaway Reef project, and the first placement of materials is happening this week. “The deployment of these new reef building materials will recreate vital marine habitat essential for improving the health of marine fish while also providing benefits for divers and fishermen alike,” said DEC Acting Commissioner Marc Gerstman. “We thank the Army Corps of Engineers for working with DEC to obtain these new permits and to ensure this economically important habitat restoration continues.”

Rockaway Reef, originally permitted in 1965, is a 413-acre area of man-made reefs located 1.6 nautical miles south of Rockaway Beach off Long Island. Under a previous reef permit, thousands of tons of rock, concrete and steel had been placed there over the decades creating important marine habitat. The most current permit had sunset in 1989, resulting in no new material being added to the reef, and recent reports had indicated much of the previously placed material had silted in or collapsed, degrading the habitat created.

Rockaway Reef is one of 11 sites managed through NYSDEC’s Artificial Reef Program, which was established to increase fisheries habitat and provide marine fish and other organisms additional opportunities for shelter and foraging.

Transco-Williams, the company associated with the Rockaway Delivery Lateral Pipeline Project, will pay for the $1.6 million project.

More than 450 sections of concrete coated steel pipe will be placed to expand the network of individual patch reefs throughout the Rockaway Reef site. These patch reefs will provide valuable marine habitat for popular finfish species such as tautog, fluke, black sea bass and scup, as well as for crabs and lobsters.

“I look forward to NYSDEC’s construction of man-made reefs on the southern portion of Rockaway Beach, which will bolster tourism activities, sustain a more well-rounded environment, and foster a healthy habitat for robust marine life,” said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks. “I thank the Governor for his ongoing efforts to bolster Rockaway Beach post-Super Storm Sandy and I look forward to continuing to work with him to enhance our communities.”

“The Rockaway peninsula is flourishing, and is now more vibrant and exciting than ever before,” said Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. “The addition of new reefs will contribute to this by attracting more divers and fisherman to the area while also protecting the water and keeping our environment clean, safe and healthy.”

“The creation of Rockaway Reef in 1965 was a landmark achievement in our efforts to protect coastal habitats and promote marine recreation activities,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “In reauthorizing this project, New York State has ensured our community’s continued stewardship of this vital ocean ecosystem. I give tremendous credit to DEC Acting Commissioner Marc Gerstman, Transco Williams and, especially, the Broad Channel Civic Association for their leadership in these efforts.”

The addition of new reef building materials has also received positive feedback from local divers and fishermen. Dan Mundy, Jr. of Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, said, “The Rockaway Artificial Reef provides an amazing habitat for all types of marine life and a fantastic recreational destination for sport and commercial fishermen as well as scuba divers. The New York State DEC is to be commended for pursuing new permits and much needed enhancements at the site. When completed it will be a huge ecological benefit to this area and will provide additional recreational opportunities.”

The New York Artificial Reef Program is popular with many local fishermen and divers, and party charter boats. It enhances recreational opportunities and helps to support the local economy. Fishermen and divers who access the artificial reefs support local businesses through the purchase of fuel, bait and tackle, marine equipment, and by using for-hire charters and dive vessels.by

For over a decade the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers have put forth their theory that the high levels of nitrogen coming out of the waste treatment plants (over 50,000 lbs per day at its height) was the leading cause of salt marsh disappearance in Jamaica Bay. Scientific “experts” and agency personnel alike disagreed for years. Now with more and more scientific studies supporting this agencies like the NY State DEC are agreeing that we have been right all along. Just reinforces how critical it is to listen to local input from those who are out on the bay every day!! see the article below!!

Excessive nitrogen harming LI storm-buffering salt marshes, says DEC

Originally published: May 8, 2014 5:42 PM
Updated: May 8, 2014 8:18 PM
By JENNIFER BARRIOS  jennifer.barrios@newsday.com

Excessive levels of nitrogen from wastewater, septic systems and other sources are increasingly harming Long Island salt marshes that provide protection from storm surges and flooding, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said yesterday.

In a new report, the DEC notes an “accelerated loss” of the coastal marshes over several decades.

The damage has been most significant on the South Shore and within Jamaica Bay, according to the report. In the Great South Bay, for example, the loss of marshes between 1974 and 2001 has been estimated at 18 percent to 36 percent.

While salt marshes are also threatened by development, wave erosion and other factors, the report singled out high nitrogen levels as causing the most harm.

Nitrogen from wastewater enriches the marshes to the point where they develop shallow roots and become unstable, keeping them from performing their natural function of reducing the strength of waves as they reach the shore, according to the report.

“The loss of tidal marshlands results in a direct reduction in coastal resiliency,” the report states.

The DEC recommends that New York State support an ocean outfall pipe at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant in East Rockaway and sewer system extensions in Suffolk County as a way to reduce the nitrogen load on the South Shore.

The report warned that salt marsh restoration efforts will not be successful until nitrogen levels are reduced.

Both county executives on Long Island issued statements through the DEC backing nitrogen-reduction efforts. The report was released in advance of a series of meetings on Long Island water quality that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced last month.The four meetings, the first of which is Monday, are designed to solicit recommendations on groundwater protection. An action plan is to be sent to the governor sometime in June.

Christopher Gobler, a professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University, said studies have shown that high levels of nitrogen weaken the salt marshes — a crucial storm buffer.

“We recognized during Sandy, some of the areas spared had some salt marshes,” Gobler said. “As we wait for the next storm, we want to make sure we have salt marshes for protection going forward.”by

MORE PHOTOS HERE

on December 11 that the Port Authority had enacted a protocol to shoot and kill all Snowy Owls that were seen at JFK Airport  this was followed by a huge outcry that resulted in a social media and online petition effort the Port Authority Reversed that policy within 24 hours and will now capture and release as other airports do—Common sense ,and social media engagement, have prevailed. BIG Thanks to all those who signed the petition and sent the emails and phone calls!!  SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THE OWLS HERE by