Press Room & Updates

Looking back, looking forward...

Harbor Coalition — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 17:46:02 +0000

Happy New Year! As we enter 2014, it’s worth taking stock of our accomplishments at the NY-NJ Harbor Coalition over the past 12 months. Thanks to the growing strength of our 63- member Coalition -- a diverse group with national reach and deep grass roots locally -- we made real strides towards our shared goal for a post-Sandy harbor that has protected wild spaces, safe public access, vibrant waterfront communities and a sustainable and resilient urban shoreline.

More Dollars for Harbor Restoration!

Harbor Coalition — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 23:16:02 +0000

Members of the NY-NJ Harbor Coalition welcomed news of additional investment in our urban coastline -- including Gov. Cuomo's recent commitment of $50 million for a creek restoration in Jamaica Bay that can better protect Howard Beach, Queens, and $3.5 million for improvements to the ferry terminal in Staten Island. Both projects will provide environmental, economic and other community benefits -- as well as improving shoreline resiliency.

Giving Thanks for Great Waters!

Harbor Coalition — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 21:06:41 +0000

As we celebrate this most American holiday, the NY-NJ Harbor Coalition shares its appreciation for the good work done by our colleagues across the country to protect some of our nation’s most treasured resources – the rivers, estuaries and harbors that have always been essential to America’s health and success. From food to transportation to recreation, waterways are a key part of our nation’s history.

The Harbor Coalition is a proud member of the America’s Great Waters Coalition, the only national advocacy group focused on protecting and restoring these critical resources. We want to take this opportunity to wish our fellow water advocates everywhere a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Coalition Marks Superstorm Sandy Anniversary

Harbor Coalition — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 22:37:21 +0000

A year after Superstorm Sandy crashed into our coastline, destroying infrastructure, livelihoods and whole communities, the New York–New Jersey harbor region is on its way to a more resilient shoreline that better meets the needs - and more adequately protects - vulnerable waterfront communities. The NY-NJ Harbor Coalition is proud to have played a role in restoring our waterfront, by helping to secure and identify tens of millions of dollars for specific resiliency projects, and in encouraging decision-makers to fully consider natural solutions, public access and environmental justice as we invest in a safer, more sustainable coastline.

But much more remains to be done to truly protect our diverse, densely populated and economically essential shoreline from flood and storm damage in the years to come. The Harbor Coalition is working with community groups, fellow advocates and government officials at all levels to ensure that wetlands, floodable parks, resilient greenways and similar features are included in restoration plans going forward. In addition, the Coalition believes these plans must be implemented in a coordinated, comprehensive and transparent way, with public input and a focus on the most underserved and vulnerable coastal communities. (click above to continue reading)

More Funding for Coastal Resiliency, Jamaica Bay

Harbor Coalition — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 21:19:11 +0000

Representatives of the New York-New Jersey Harbor Coalition welcomed the Department of Interior’s commitment of an additional $162 million to restore federal lands damaged by Superstorm Sandy and advance research and environmental restoration projects that will better protect vulnerable coastline, including the New York-New Jersey Harbor. Coalition members were especially pleased to see the investment included $3.6 million for the Jamaica Bay Science and Resilience Center, an effort spearheaded by the City of New York, the Rockefeller Foundation and other stakeholders, including Harbor Coalition co-chair National Parks Conservation Association. (click above to read more)

Coalition Role Grows in Jamaica Bay

Harbor Coalition — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 18:55:32 +0000

The Harbor Coalition was well represented last week at a two-day conference hosted by several stakeholders involved in restoring Jamaica Bay, titled Urban Resilience in an Era of Climate Change: Global Input for Local Solutions. The event built on past “State of the Bay” forums, addressed the impact of Superstorm Sandy and the resiliency needs it revealed, and it reflected a novel partnership between New York City and the National Park Service to jointly develop and manage the amazing public park lands that surround the bay.

Tracking Federal Sandy Spending

Harbor Coalition — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 21:49:03 +0000

After Sandy struck, the Harbor Coalition worked hard behind the scenes to help our Congressional Delegation secure the full, fair $60 billion in federal recovery dollars. And now, nearly a year later, we want to make sure that funding is wisely invested in smart, sustainable projects that protect our harbor estuary while also reducing the risk associated with future storms. One helpful source is the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Superstorm Sandy portal, which tracks spending on a monthly basis by federal government agency, by category and over time.

Coalition Joins USACE Harbor Inspection

Harbor Coalition — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 21:32:41 +0000

Harbor Coalition members joined fellow restoration advocates on Wednesday, Sept. 18 for an excellent harbor inspection tour hosted by the Army Corps New York District. Thanks to Col. Owen and his staff, stakeholders got a water-view of multiple sites and detailed briefing on projects like the Corps' beach renourishment at Coney Island, environmental restoration at Plumb Beach and Gerritsen Creek, and their continued work to restore and create critical marsh islands.

Coalition Welcomes Sandy Task Force Report

Harbor Coalition — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 21:21:46 +0000

Representatives of the New York-New Jersey Harbor Coalition praised the efforts of President Obama’s Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, in particular their call for considering green infrastructure and natural systems as part of a suite of strategies as we rebuild our region and invest in future infrastructure along our urban shoreline.

Coalition Welcomes New Jamaica Bay Investments

Harbor Coalition — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 22:00:32 +0000

Representatives of the New York-New Jersey Harbor Coalition joined New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Interior Department Secretary Sally Jewell, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, chair of the federal Sandy task force, Congressman Gregory Meeks and others for the announcement of several additional investments in coastal resiliency – for our harbor region and other urban areas dealing with sea level rise.