New York/New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study
Coastal storms have severely impacted the north Atlantic coast of the United States, including the New York-New Jersey Harbor region. In response to these storms, the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is investigating measures to manage future flood risk in ways that support the long-term resilience and sustainability of the coastal ecosystem and surrounding communities, and reduce the economic costs and risks associated with flood and storm events. In support of this goal, the Corps completed the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, which identified nine high-risk, focus areas on the north Atlantic Coast for further in-depth analysis into potential coastal storm risk management measures. One of the nine areas identified was the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries study area.
The New York New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries focus area feasibility study, which will include a tiered Environmental Impact Statement, is evaluating five initial alternatives, which currently are comprised of measures that address severe coastal storm risks for specific geographic regions within the study area, in addition to the no action alternative. These five alternatives encompass a variety of water- and land-based measures identified throughout the estuary at areas of high projected coastal storm risk and include combinations of shoreline structures, such as beach nourishment, levees, floodwalls and seawalls, and storm-surge barriers. This initial range of alternatives was developed in part from the analysis provided in the North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study, as well as coordination with the States of New York and New Jersey and the City of New York. The alternatives are taking into account other ongoing and planned actions being taken within the study area by the Corps, other federal agencies, both states and New York City, and other municipalities.
The feasibility study will develop information to distinguish between alternatives so that ultimately a recommended plan can be identified. Based upon available information and analyses, a draft report describing the alternatives, their benefits, costs and environmental and social impacts is scheduled to be available for agency and public review in the late fall 2018. The Corps will then review the comments received as part of the agency and public review to determine what, if any, additional analyses, may be warranted to refine the alternatives and possibly add further measures that may be justified on a building-to-building basis (e.g., non-structural measures) or that may address areas that suffer from more frequent (and typically less severe) coastal storm risks (e.g., natural and nature-based features). Additional analyses may result the preparation of a subsequent draft prior to the completion of the final report and the selection of a recommended plan. As project details are developed during Preconstruction Engineering and Design, consideration of environmental and social impacts will continue to be evaluated.
The study non-federal sponsors are the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The City of New York is involved in this study through a partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
October 2018 Update
The New York District , the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the City of New York, with Congressman Tom Suozzi, held a public meeting for the New York and New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries (NY NJ HATS) Study on Tuesday, October 23, 2018.
The public comment period ends on November 5, 2018.
To see the meeting presentation click here. To see the meeting posters click here.
September 2018 Update
The New York District, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the City of New York, with the Westchester County Executive George Latimer, held a public meeting on October 3, 2018, at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York.
To see the meeting presentation click here. To see the meeting posters click here.
NEPA Scoping Comments can be submitted to the project email NYNJHarbor.TribStudy@usace.army.mil or by mail to
Nancy Brighton
Room 2151
US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
26 Federal Plaza
New York, New York 10278
Comments received by November 5th will be considered and incorporated into the draft report anticipated to be released in late November/early December 2018. Comments received after this date will be included with the comments received during the public review of the draft report.
NEPA scoping comments can be submitted to the project email NYNJHarbor.TribStudy@usace.army.mil or by mail to;
Nancy Brighton
Room 2151
US Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
26 Federal Plaza
New York, New York 10278
Comments submitted will assist the agency’s evaluation of the project changes and will be reflected in the project record. All written comments, including contact information, will be made a part of the administrative record, available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Administrative Record, or portions thereof, may also be posted on a Corps’ internet website. Due to resource limitations, this office generally cannot acknowledge receipt of comments or respond to individual letters.
For more information please read the project Fact Sheet or email the Project Manager.