NY-NJ Harbor Coalition - Policy and Projects

NY-NJ Harbor Coalition: An Agenda for Action

The NY-NJ Harbor Coalition was created to:

Galvanize and elevate public support for comprehensive restoration and creation of urban waterfront parks in the NY-NJ harbor region.
Work with elected officials and other stakeholders to increase funding for regional waterfront projects that restore the region's ecology, promote public access and support a vibrant, healthy waterfront.
Create a long-term system of sustainable resources and the appropriate public policy to help transform the NY-NJ waterfront into a truly world-class harbor and estuary that meets the needs of the region's 22 million people.

To do so, the Coalition will build upon the existing efforts and work with elected officials and other stakeholders to secure funding for critical projects - and ensure that these monies are well spent. The Coalition will focus on projects designed to:

Restore the harbor's ecology and improve quality of life
Provide and enhance public access to the waterfront and harbor itself, particularly in low-income neighborhoods
Create natural infrastructure systems to address flooding and pollution issues
Reduce air and water pollution from ports and other maritime industries
Ensure that waterborne cargo is moved effectively and efficiently
Protect people and property in the communities most vulnerable to flooding and sea level rise

To meet these goals, the Coalition will build on existing planning and research efforts, including the following:

New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program - Summary of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, a compilation of the Harbor Estuary Program’s study and proposal for the region.
Hudson-Raritan Estuary Comprehensive Restoration Plan – “The Waters We Share”, an overview of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposal for wetlands restoration and other environmental improvements.
Blue Ribbon Panel Report on Floyd Bennett Field – “The Next Jewel in New York’s Urban Park Crown”– a proposal from the Regional Plan Association and the National Parks Conservation Association for the 1,440 acre field that is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.
Vision 2020: New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan, created by the NYC Department of City Planning as a blueprint for the City of Islands future.