The Harlem River is a tidal strait that flows between the Hudson River and the East River separating the island of Manhattan from the Bronx on the New York mainland. This 9-mile tidal strait was once a complex system of tributaries, wetlands, and meandering shorelines. Ultimately, rapid industrialization and urbanization resulted in widespread loss of forests, channelization of the river, hardened shorelines, and 24 of 25 streams have been buried that once flowed freely to the Harlem River. Collectively, these actions have altered the natural resources of the watershed and impaired water quality of the Harlem River. The Harlem River is one of the most urbanized and densely populated areas within the Hudson Raritan Estuary (HRE) and is characterized with scarce and fragmented habitat as well as poor water and sediment quality. The majority of the communities within walking distance of the Harlem River are considered economically disadvantaged with neighborhoods characterized as 100% urban and having a notable lack of green space.
The Harlem River includes priority restoration opportunities identified in the HRE Comprehensive Restoration Plan and the Final Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (FR/EA) among other partner plans. The investigation of the Harlem River would be the first spin-off feasibility study for the authorized HRE Restoration Program. Ecosystem restoration in this sub-watershed would provide significant benefits to the biological communities inhabiting the river as well as the surrounding communities that have been underserved and impacted. The plan will identify opportunities to improve significant ecological function, structure and dynamic processes that have been degraded throughout the river. Restoration opportunities will be aligned with the USACE “Engineering With Nature” (EWN) Program identifying living natural and hybrid shoreline flood risk management opportunities along the Harlem River to fully capture the economic, environmental, and social benefits to the region. The goal of the plan is to identify opportunities to restore degraded habitat and connectivity and integrate green infrastructure along the waterfront greenway to provide secondary flood risk management benefits. Identification of restoration opportunities within the Harlem River will be coordinated with the Harlem River Working Group (coalition of non-profit groups), NYC Partners and the Bronx and Harlem River Watersheds Urban Waters Federal Partnership. In addition, the study will be closely coordinated with the NY/NJ Harbor and Tributaries Study (HATS) where the Tentatively Selected Plan includes shore-based measures including floodwalls and bulkheads to manage the risk of coastal storms.
AUTHORIZATION: HRE Study Authority: April 15, 1999 Resolution by the United States House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure; HRE Construction Authority: WRDA 2020 (134 Stat. 2739): Title IV- Water Resources Infrastructure, SEC. 401. Project Authorizations (5) Ecosystem Restoration (11) NY, NJ; Hudson-Raritan Estuary Ecosystem Restoration; May 26, 2020; Federal: $273,933,000, Non-Federal: $147,502,000, Total: $421,435,000; Additional Feasibility Studies: SEC. 8356. Ecosystem Restoration, Hudson-Raritan Estuary, New York and New Jersey. (a) In General—The Secretary may carry out additional feasibility studies for the project ecosystem restoration, Hudson–Raritan Estuary, New York and New Jersey, authorized by section 401(5) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2739), including an examination of measures and alternatives at Baisley Pond Park and the Richmond Terrace Wetlands. (b) Treatment—A feasibility study carried out under subsection (a) shall be considered a continuation of the study that formulated the project for ecosystem restoration, Hudson–Raritan Estuary, New York and New Jersey, authorized by section 401(5) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (134 Stat. 2740).
STATUS: A total of $500,000 was provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Bill of 2024 which was included by Congressman Torres. A Feasibility Cost Share Agreement (FCSA) would be executed with the local sponsor, New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP), when NYCDEP secures their local non-federal funding. The Feasibility Study is expected to be completed within three years resulting in a Chief’s Report followed by future construction authorization.
STUDY COST
Total Feasibility Study Cost: $3,200,000
Federal: $1,700,000 [including $200,000 for Independent External Peer Review]
Non-Federal: $1,500,000
CONTACT:
Mr. Evan Nelson, Project Manager
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NYD
Phone: (917) 790-8350
E-mail: evan.m.nelson@usace.army.mil
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278-0090
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS:
Congressman Adriano Espaillat, NY-13
Congressman Richie Torres, NY-15