Link to original article / Continue Reading...

Link to original article on NJ Audubon's Facebook Wall...

New Jersey Audubon is a privately supported, not-for-profit, statewide membership organization. Founded in 1897, NJ Audubon is one of the oldest independent Audubon societies and has no formal connection with the National Audubon Society.

Almost seven months after superstorm Sandy delivered a major blow to New Jersey, federal officials are forecasting an "active or extremely active" season.

Moreover, parts of the Atlantic Ocean are much warmer than usual, and warm waters fuel tropical cyclones, according to NOAA. Check out this graphic:

Source: NOAA

Sea surface temperatures (source: NOAA)

The outlook does not predict how many storms will hit land or where, according the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to the outlook, there's an estimated 70 percent chance of:

- 13 to 20 named storms (with winds at least 39 mph. The average is 12 named storms.

- Seven to 11 of those storms becoming hurricanes, with winds of at least 74 mph. The average is six hurricanes.

- Three to six of the hurricanes becoming major storms (Category 3, with winds at least 111 mph, Category 4 or Category 5). The average is three major hurricanes.

Last month, Colorado State University researchers also predicted an active season. There's a 48 percent chance that a major hurricane will strike the East Coast, including the Florida Peninsula, according to their report.

NOAA does not issue an outlook for hurricane landfalls, but "the historical likelihood for multiple U.S. hurricane strikes, and for multiple hurricane strikes in the region around the Caribbean Sea, increases sharply for very active (or hyperactive) seasons," according to its outlook.

"It only takes one storm hitting an area to cause a disaster" and "residents, businesses, and government agencies of coastal and near-coastal regions are urged to prepare every hurricane season," the outlook says.

Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 28, 2013 (Source: NOAA/NASA)

Link to original article / Continue Reading...

The Modified-Combined traffic scenario – first presented in March – transforms the Sheridan Expressway into a boulevard with medians, signalized intersections and crosswalks, and creates a direct connection from Bruckner Expressway to the Hunts Point Peninsula.

Draft recommendations from a multi-agency, TIGER II-funded study analyzing the impacts of modifications to the Sheridan Expressway and South Bronx roadway network on surrounding neighborhoods, received mixed reviews from community leaders, advocates, residents and elected officials this past Tuesday night.

Tuesday night’s presentation, although long, was ultimately short on specific recommendations. The team’s main recommendation was the selection of the Modified-Combined traffic scenario – first presented earlier this year in March. This scenario transforms the Sheridan Expressway into a boulevard with medians, signalized intersections and crosswalks, and creates a direct connection from Bruckner Expressway to the Hunts Point Peninsula.

Additional recommendations included in previous presentations were omitted from Tuesday’s presentation, but the inter-agency team promised that a complete, clear list of draft recommendations will be posted on the website shortly in order to avoid any confusion.

Benefits of the Modified-Combined Scenario

The Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance (SBRWA), of which TSTC is a member, has largely supported the Modified-Combined scenario — the best first step toward realizing the kind of positive road and land-use transformation the community has sought  for over a decade.

The Modified-Combined scenario incorporates many of the improvements SBRWA has been calling for, including:

• Construction of ramps that provide direct access from the Bruckner Expressway to the Hunts Point Peninsula which will move trucks off local streets – including Hunts Point Avenue – and support economic development in the area
• Maximization of developable land along the waterfront and in the footprint of the Sheridan Expressway
• Increased pedestrian access to Starlight Park, Concrete Plant Park and the Bronx River
• Reduction of truck traffic on local streets and increased pedestrian safety through the closure of the southbound Sheridan off-ramp at Westchester Avenue
• Redesign of the hazardous East 177th Street/Devoe Avenue/East Tremont Avenue area
• Pedestrian improvements on Bruckner Boulevard that calm traffic, introduce greenery, make crossings safer and reconnect neighborhoods

Moving forward

Although these recommendations align with SBRWA’s goals, implementation still requires meaningful engagement and consultation with the community. To reinforce that work remains to be done, SBRWA held a press conference Wednesday morning praising the City for recommendations that could improve the South Bronx community while also calling for the City and the State to continue to move the process forward and address outstanding issues, including:

• Closure of the northbound Sheridan off-ramp at Westchester Avenue as an essential step in fully realizing community goals for park access, pedestrian safety and neighborhood connectivity
• Traffic modeling for four-way direct access (four ramps instead of two) from the Bruckner Expressway to the Hunts Point peninsula. The City’s recommendations discuss only two ramps Eastbound from Bruckner Boulevard, not an additional two ramps Westbound from Bruckner Boulevard.  Four ramps provide the most access to commercial vehicles that need access to Hunts Point and keep more trucks off local streets
• Sustained and meaningful planning with community residents to ensure quality-of-life benefits are gained and displacement of current residents and businesses is prevented

Also, vigilant advocacy with the next New York City mayor, transportation and planning commissioners is needed to ensure this project moves forward.  The current administration has indicated that this should not be a study that sits on a shelf.  But, the sentiment is less secure in 2014.

A full press release and a companion document detailing the SBRWA’s position can be found here and here. The draft recommendations are expected to be available soon on the project website where readers can comment on them before final recommendations are made in June.

Link to original article / Continue Reading...

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) is a non-profit advocacy and policy organization dedicated to reducing car and truck dependency and promoting a "more balanced, environmentally sound and equitable transportation network" in downstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Link to original article on NJ Sierra Club's Facebook Wall...

With about 20,000 members, the New Jersey Chapter is the 10th largest of the 65 chapters in the USA, Canada and Mexico. We have full-time professional staff in our Trenton office, and many Local Groups which hold monthly meetings in various locations throughout the State.

Link to original article / Continue Reading...

Don’t wait until the last minute; get your tickets today! 

This year’s honorees include:

• Senator Frank R. Lautenberg
• New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner James S. Simpson and Bicycle & Pedestrian Program Coordinator Sheree Davis
• AARP-New Jersey
• Patty Woodworth, owner of Action Wheels Bike Shop in Deptford, NJ

Link to original article / Continue Reading...

The Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) is a non-profit advocacy and policy organization dedicated to reducing car and truck dependency and promoting a "more balanced, environmentally sound and equitable transportation network" in downstate New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Link to original article on NJ Conservation foundation's Facebook Wall...

The mission of New Jersey Conservation Foundation is to preserve land and natural resources throughout New Jersey for the benefit of all.