TreeBranch Network

Free:   subscribe to Urban Outdoors our monthly electronic newsletter

Neighborhood Open Space Coalition   Friends of Gateway   Take A Walk, New York!

Join Now

Plant a Tree

Gateway National Rereation Area

Jamaica Bay

Be Pro-Active Join TreeBranch Listservs

Parks & Public Space:
The Challenge

Greenways & GreenStreets

The Waterfront

Community Gardens

The Hub for NYC Urban Environment

TreeBranch
On Air

Board of Directors

Supporters

Contact Us

Friends of Gateway

Jamaica Bay Task Force

Jamaica Bay Task Force

The idea for a Jamaica Bay Task Force (JBTF) grew out of the concern of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) for the 208 program passed in 1972. The federal government had just mandated CAC's to provide opportunities for community stakeholders to participate with agency decision makers on actions to improve their neighborhoods.

Jamaica Bay was a priority waterbody being considered for status as a Special Management Area under the coastal program. The first meeting of a special sub-committee of the CAC took place on December 14, 1978. Subsequent meetings detailed the following aims:

1. the Task Force should be a continuing forum for regular contact of agencies with local community representatives including citywide organizations with a professional interest in the Bay;
   
   
2. agencies should rotate annually as Chair of the Task Force to provide in-kind services and administrative support;
   
   
3. the 208 program under Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) would develop an areawide waste treatment plan to protect and upgrade the water quality of the Bay;
   
   
4. using the coastal management program, Department of City Plannong (DCP) would consider land-use impacts on the Bay and develop an issues map ( published on 3/24/92);
   
   
5. elected officials would be invited to assist in attracting resources to implement plans.

The first meeting took place on July 25, 1984 chaired by the Port Authority; it met thereafter at least once and sometimes twice a year with a rotating chair among the Commissioners of Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), DEP, DCP, Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) and National Parks Service (NPS). One of the most active partners was Doris Moss who worked for Congressman Addabo. Together with then Parks Supt. Bob McIntosh, they stimulated interest in a scientific meeting to review progress on understanding the problems and proposed solutions for restoring water quality. The Task Force had been specifically invited to compile the problems to be addressed in a Jamaica Bay Plan in a community-sponsored meeting on February 15, 1984 addressed by Ms. Moss and Supt McIntosh to solicit public input.

The focus of the Conference was the Celebration of Jamaica Bay; the theme, Rene DuBos' dictum - "Think globally, act locally". The approach centered on public education and an information exchange among government, scientists, and the lay public. A great deal of groundwork has been accomplished by the various agencies. DCP compiled the issues map; Audubon and Trust for Public Land had produced the Buffer the Bay report (which has been largely implemented); DEP has upgraded its plants and tested both a CSO permanent holding tank and a Donkers installation; DEC designated the Bay a Critical Environmental Area; DCP has issued its approved CZM (what is this??) Plan; the Port Authority has issued several environmental studies as part of the airport expansion plans and Deprtment of Transportation) DOT is upgrading the bridge. What remains is a coordinated public policy on landuse and water quality that would guide development.

When the Task Force began to meet less often, the New York City Soil &Water Conservation District and the Friends of Gateway reconvened it as a forum for citizens to learn about and comment upon the numerous agency plans for Jamaica Bay. Since 1999 it has met several times a year and hopes to become quarterly. Regular agency attendees include the US Army Corps of Engineers, the NYC DEPs, the NYS DEC and the NPS Gateway National Recreation Area - all of whom have plans for the Bay.

The JBTF is envisioned as a vehicle for public participation in the local planning process. It is not a decision-making body but it does expect to impact on public decisions. It is inclusive; any group or individual with an interest in the Bay and its surrounding communities can participate. Interested parties can also stay abreast of Jamaica Bay issues by subscribing to the Jamaica Bay listserve administered by the Friends of Gateway (FoG) /Neighborhood Open Space Coalition (NOSC).