Environmental groups oppose $52B plan to build storm surge gates in NY-NJ waterways

As sea levels rise and temperatures soar, New York City is facing increasingly difficult choices about how to address the effects of climate change. Along the waterfront, billions of dollars' worth of sea walls, jetties and breakwaters are now being built to protect against future floods and storms, with much larger projects looming on the horizon.

In September, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers published a report detailing its $52 billion proposal to protect New York City with the largest system of waterfront barriers in the region — and one of the largest infrastructure projects in the city’s history. The tentatively selected plan, named Alternative 3B, is part of the NY & NJ Harbor & Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study, or HATS, and it proposes building 12 enormous storm surge gates in New York and New Jersey waterways. It would also construct more than 41 miles of coastal barriers along the city’s shoreline, cutting through neighborhoods, parks and beaches.

Environmental groups have responded with alarm, and several are now publicly stating their opposition to the proposal. In a statement released on Thursday, 10 organizations that work with regional waterways came out in opposition to the Army Corps' proposal. The groups, which are members of a collective called the NYC and NJ Urban Tributaries Working Group, are the stewards of several creeks and canals where the Army Corps has proposed to build storm surge and tidal gates.

The collective includes the Bronx River Alliance, Coney Island Beautification Project, Gowanus Canal Conservancy, Guardians of Flushing Bay, Hackensack Riverkeeper, Hutchinson River Restoration Project, Newtown Creek Alliance, Save the Sound, Coalition for Wetlands and Woodlands, and NY/NJ Baykeeper.

WNYC host Sean Carlson chatted with environmental photojournalist Nathan Kensinger about why this collective is speaking out. Click "listen" in the player to hear their conversation, and visit Gothamist for more details.