10 gate west pond public mtg october 22 2015 (2)

National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the InteriorJamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge

West Pond Environmental Assessment

WEST PONDENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

October, 2015



HISTORY OF WEST POND• In 1951, Robert Moses, former New York City Parks Department

Commissioner, with aid from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, surveyed Jamaica Bay to further plans for a bird sanctuary and park with breeding ponds in the bay.

• In 1954, the New York City Parks Department partnered with the New York State Conservation Department to establish the Jamaica Bay Bird Sanctuary.

• East and West Ponds, built in 1954, were designed and constructed to provide attractive feeding habitat with freshwater plants for birds.

• The Jamaica Bay Bird Sanctuary became part of the National Park System in 1972 and was renamed the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

• Special mandates in Gateway’s enabling legislation include conservation and management of wildlife and natural resources in the Jamaica Bay Unit.



VISITATION AT JAMAICA BAY WILDLIFE REFUGE• West Pond is one of the most popular sites within

Gateway National Recreation Area and is a local, national, and international destination.

• Post Hurricane Sandy visitation to the refuge has decreased approximately 37% between 2011 and 2014.

• Prior to Hurricane Sandy, the average annual visitation was 575,000 with an average annual visitation from school groups of 5,400 (between 2010 to 2015).



FRESHWATER WETLANDS• In the past century, over 90% of the freshwater wetlands in

NYC have been lost.

• Freshwater wetlands provide important ecological, economic, and social benefits.

• Wetlands are among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the world; improve water quality by aiding in the retention of stormwater; and provide a buffer from storm surges.

• Wetlands attract wildlife for viewing and otherwise enhance the enjoyment of parks and public spaces. These open spaces are particularly highly valued in the dense urban area of NYC.

• Wetlands are destinations for educational programming and hands-on learning.



WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT? To provide for environmentally sensitive and resilient conditions along the West Pond Trail loop trail that support a diversity of Jamaica Bay habitats, wildlife, and enhanced visitor experiences.



TOPICS ADDRESSED IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT INCLUDE:

Soils and Sediments Water Resources Wetlands and Floodplains Vegetation Wildlife and Special Status

Species Visitor Use and Experience and

Scenic Resources Socioeconomics



ALTERNATIVES ASSESSED Four alternatives were analyzed:

Alternative A: No Action - Continue Current Management

Alternative B: The NPS Preferred Alternative - Repair the Breach and Improve Habitat Conditions

Alternative C: Create Different Types of Habitat

Alternative D: Bridge the Breach



ALTERNATIVE A: NO ACTION / CONTINUE CURRENT MANAGEMENT

No repair of the loop trail, the berm, or the primary or secondary breached areas

Natural processes would be left to proceed uninhibited

Areas would be monitored for safety

Wetland conditions and species composition would continue to shift in response to the introduction of saltwater from Jamaica Bay



ALTERNATIVE B: THE NPS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE – REPAIR THE BREACH AND IMPROVE HABITAT CONDITIONS Phase 1:

Repair primary and secondary breaches

Restoration of West Pond and the loop trail

Replacement of the water control structure.

Addition of a freshwater supply /return to freshwater conditions

Future Phases: Upland habitat restoration at

Terrapin Point Shoreline and saltmarsh

restoration to increase resiliency against future storm damage

Installation of visitor amenities: boardwalks, trails, pathways, viewing blinds, and educational signage



ALTERNATIVE C: CREATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HABITAT

Construction of a new berm further inland establishing a smaller, more inland, West Pond and converting Terrapin Point into an island.

Creation of a mosaic of wetland and upland habitats to support a diversity of species.

Installation of a groundwater freshwater source.

Replacement of the water control structure in the new West Pond.

Establishment of a new trail system around West Pond and extending to Terrapin Point.



ALTERNATIVE D: BRIDGE THE BREACH Bridge the primary breach to

restore the loop trail around West Pond Bridging options would

include a steel truss bridge or a box culvert

Under either option, the breach would remain open

Stabilization of the banks of the primary and secondary breaches

Wetland conditions and species composition would continue to shift in response to saltwater from Jamaica Bay



Alternative A: Net construction costs were not developed because the alternative does not include any planned additional construction.

Alternative B: Phase 1: $1.7 – 2.5 M Future Phases: $5.1 – $6.2 M Total (All Phases) = $6.8 – 8.7 M

Alternative C: Total $36.0 – $44.0 M

Alternative D: Steel Truss Bridge Option Total = $5.4 – $6.7 M Culvert Option Total = $5.3 – $6.6 M

CLASS C COST ESTIMATES



THE PLANNING PROCESS TIMELINE



Decision document: December 2015

Construction contract award: 2016

Construction completion: 2017

NEXT STEPS AND ANTICIPATED TIMELINE



Your Participation is Important! Please share your comments by

November 6, 2015. Comment by any of the following means:

You may view the document and comment on-line at: http:parkplanning.nps.gov/gate

Fill out the comment card, drop it off or mail it in. Write to us:

Office of the SuperintendentGateway National Recreation Area, Fort WadsworthAttention: Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge West Pond EA210 New York AvenueStaten Island, New York 10305