New York City's Smaller Wetlands Remain Unprotected

Post by **Linnea** » 02-07-2009 12:16 AM

ENS (Enviornmental News Service) Feb 2, 2009

NEW YORK, New York, February 2, 2009 (ENS) - It's hard to imagine standing in midtown Manhattan, but wetlands do exist within New York City, and they both protect the city and need protection themselves, according to a report released Friday by Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"Many New Yorkers don't realize there are thousands of acres of wetlands in the five boroughs," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Wetlands are robust ecosystems that perform crucial environmental functions like trapping pollutants, capturing stormwater runoff, sequestering carbon dioxide, and moderating storm surges."

Today, the city has only one percent of its historic freshwater wetlands and 10 percent of its historic tidal wetlands.

These tidal remaining wetlands are concentrated in Brooklyn around Jamaica Bay, in Queens, and in Staten Island, which also has freshwater wetlands.

Freshwater wetlands smaller than 12.4 acres are not protected by state law and are vulnerable to determinations that they are outside of the scope of federal protection.

The new report shows that the extent of these smaller wetlands in New York City is not fully known.

To gather more information on the smaller freshwater wetlands, the report recommends developing new high-resolution aerial and satellite wetland maps to precisely determine the size and location of unprotected wetlands before pursuing other options outlined in the report. This mapping is scheduled to start later this year.

"In PlaNYC, we promised to study wetlands and build on wetland successes like the impressive Staten Island Bluebelt stormwater project managed by the Department of Environmental Protection, as well as the thousands of acres of wetlands managed by the Parks Department," said the mayor.

More at link:
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2009 ... 02-092.asp

A man-made extended detention basin in the Staten Island Bluebelt after one growing season (Photo courtesy New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection)

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 02-07-2009 12:36 AM

This is amazing and they do need to be protected, who would have thought.

Post by **Linnea** » 02-07-2009 12:57 AM

Hey, Shirley! Yes. We need to start reclaiming every bit of ecosystem we have left.

Would be nice if the stimulus package had extensive funds to hire ordinary people, unemployed youth - to plant and maintain these treasured areas. We are moving in that direction. Sanity dictates it, and the political will is gaining strength.

If we can act - in so many small ways, where ever we are - we can make a difference.

Chickadee · Post by **Chickadee** » 02-07-2009 11:09 AM

I have been to these wetlands (birding) and it is spectacular to walk (wade) through (on designated paths if one remains sensitive to the environment). I have photo's somewhere (the old paper kind LOL).

One thing positive I'll say about Mayor Bloomberg is that he gets animals and nature and their importance to be protected. I hope he can do something long term to get protection (because I don't have a lot of faith in the NYC Parks Dept.).

marsbase · Post by **marsbase** » 02-13-2009 01:34 AM

Chickadee wrote: I have been to these wetlands (birding) and it is spectacular to walk (wade) through ... I hope he can do something long term to get protection (because I don't have a lot of faith in the NYC Parks Dept.).

Toally agree! Have had the pleasure of visiting Jamaica Bay a few times and it is a stunning area.

here are just 2 shots taken last August.

http://www.pbase.com/eagle01/image/109148001,jpg

http://www.pbase.com/eagle01/image/109148018.jpg

It, for one, is a real haven for all types of shorebirds and migrants as well.

Not to get off on the Parks Dept., but look how they've mishandled the Riverside Park hawk and also the recent wild turkey at Central Park- unnecessarily moved to a rehab facillity. Awful.

Post by **Linnea** » 02-13-2009 01:44 AM

Glad you are sharing them. Very interested in seeing what the NJ coast looks like! Do you have any photos and information?
.

marsbase · Post by **marsbase** » 02-14-2009 11:00 PM

Linnea wrote: Glad you are sharing them. Very interested in seeing what the NJ coast looks like! Do you have any photos and information?
.

Sorry, Linnea, I haven't been there and not too familiar with the coast. Wish I could help. I do know the Cape May area in south Jersey is a haven for birds.

Post by **Linnea** » 02-14-2009 11:13 PM

Glad to see any photos of wetlands you have to share. Your photos are high professional quality. The seagull photo is beautiful.

marsbase · Post by **marsbase** » 02-14-2009 11:31 PM

Here are a few more shots, of swans, from Jamaica Bay.

Oops hope these are too large...I reduced the size.

racehorse · Post by **racehorse** » 02-14-2009 11:38 PM

Beautiful photographs, marsbase.

Shirleypal · Post by **Shirleypal** » 02-14-2009 11:49 PM

The Swans are beautiful, great pics. marsbase. Reminds me when I used to go to Germany and stay on the Mosel, I'd go down to the Mosel early every morning to feed the Swans.

Post by **Linnea** » 02-15-2009 02:08 AM

Spectacular! The colors are fantastic! Especially the water shot. Is this a digital camera?

marsbase · Post by **marsbase** » 02-16-2009 12:13 AM

Thanks for all the nice comments on the photos. It is a digital camera. The water nicely reflected the dark blue sky. I had to experiment as some were a bit dark.

In late Spring or early Summer they somehow 'drain' (part of?) the East Pond and this allows you to get further in. Otherwise, you'd be walking in mud and water.

I'll have to dig around and post a few more. Thanks again.

Fantastic Forum the Original Art Bell's Midnight in the Desert and Coast to Coast AM Forum

New York City's Smaller Wetlands Remain Unprotected

New York City's Smaller Wetlands Remain Unprotected

Beautiful Photos, Marsbase!

Re: Beautiful Photos, Marsbase!