New York Harbor Storm-Surge Barrier Proposal Explained

The New York Harbor Storm-Surge Barrier proposal is a complex plan, but let's break it down. The proposal aims to protect New York City from storm surges, which are wall of water that can cause catastrophic damage.

The barrier would be a 5-mile-long wall that would stretch across the harbor, from Sandy Hook to the Verrazano Narrows. It's designed to withstand powerful storms and rising sea levels.

The proposal includes a system of gates that would close during severe weather events, preventing storm surges from entering the harbor. This would help prevent flooding and damage to the city's infrastructure and homes.

The barrier would also include a system of locks to control water levels and prevent flooding during high tides. This would be especially important during full moons and other high-tide events.

The proposal for a storm-surge barrier to protect New York Harbor is a $52 billion plan to build 12 movable sea barriers across waterways like Jamaica Bay.

The plan replaces a disputed previous plan for a single, larger outer-harbor wall that was estimated to cost $119 billion.

These new barriers would be built across locations including Jamaica Bay in Queens and the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn.

The federal government would pay 65 percent of the cost, making it a significant investment in the region's flood protection.

The plan aims to protect the whole New York Harbor region from future storms, which are expected to become more frequent and intense due to climate change.

Similar to the proposed storm-surge barrier, other communities have successfully implemented effective barriers to protect against storm surges.

The Stamford Hurricane Protection Barrier in Connecticut, for example, has been in operation for nearly half a century and was closed hours before Hurricane Sandy struck, withstanding an over-11-foot storm tide that devastated every waterfront community on western Long Island Sound except Stamford.

The Delta Works in the Netherlands protects the south of the country, while the MOSE Project protects Venice. These larger barrier systems demonstrate the effectiveness of this type of infrastructure in safeguarding major cities.

The Thames Barrier in London is deployed about twice per year to protect the heart of the city from excessive tidal flooding.

The City Response to The Proposal was swift and decisive. They implemented a comprehensive plan to address the concerns of the community.

The city's emergency services were put on high alert, with additional personnel and equipment deployed to the affected areas. This was done to ensure a quick and effective response to any potential emergencies.

The city's communication team worked tirelessly to keep the public informed about the situation, providing regular updates through social media and press conferences. They also set up a dedicated hotline for residents to report any issues or concerns.

The city's infrastructure team worked around the clock to repair and restore damaged buildings and roads. They also implemented temporary measures to ensure public safety and access to essential services.

The city's economic development team worked closely with local businesses to provide support and resources to help them recover from the effects of The Proposal. This included offering financial assistance, marketing support, and access to new business opportunities.

The city's community outreach team provided support and resources to affected residents, including counseling services, food and shelter assistance, and access to community programs. They also worked to rebuild community relationships and promote a sense of unity and resilience.

The $52 billion proposal to protect New York Harbor is a significant plan to address the growing threat of storm surges and rising sea levels.

The proposal involves building 12 movable sea barriers across waterways like Jamaica Bay, which would replace a disputed plan for a single, larger outer-harbor wall.

The plan is a response to the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Sandy almost 10 years ago, which showed the region's vulnerability to severe storms.

The US Army Corps of Engineers would pay 65 percent of the cost, making it a federal government-led project.

The proposal is the region's largest project to address storms, and it's the only one attempting to defend the whole New York Harbor region.

The new proposal comes after a previous version was shelved due to criticism from President Donald J. Trump, who estimated the cost at $119 billion.

The plan would be built across locations including Jamaica Bay in Queens and the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, providing a comprehensive defense against storm surges.

The proposal is a crucial step in managing flood risks related to climate change, which is expected to raise sea levels one to six feet by the end of the century.

The proposed storm surge gates could pose a threat to marine habitats and migration routes. This is a major concern, as it could have a devastating impact on the ecosystem.

Three waterways where storm surge gates are proposed are highly polluted Superfund sites, which are undergoing lengthy cleanups by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Environmental concerns are a major issue with the proposed storm surge barriers. Several environmental groups have expressed grave concerns about the barriers, including the Natural Resources Defense Council and Riverkeeper.

Riverkeeper has described the HATS study as "fatally flawed", and said storm surge barriers would pose "a threat to the very life of the Hudson & Harbor." This is a serious issue, as the Hudson River watershed is a vital ecosystem.

The proposed storm surge gates could destroy marine habitats and migration routes, which is a major concern for the health of the ocean and its inhabitants. This is not just a theoretical risk, but a real possibility that could have devastating consequences.

Three of the waterways where storm surge gates are proposed are highly polluted Superfund sites, which are undergoing lengthy cleanups by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This is a major problem, as it could trap pollutants behind the barriers and cause flooding and pollution inland.

The Waterfront Alliance is encouraging a phased approach that incorporates more natural and nature-based features, such as buyouts, restored natural areas, elevation or relocation of infrastructure, and non-physical nonstructural measures. This approach is more holistic and could have a positive impact on the environment.

The Hudson River's revival is a remarkable story, but massive storms could put a damper on progress.

In the past, the river was heavily polluted, with pollutants like PCBs and dioxins contaminating the water and harming wildlife. The cleanup efforts have been ongoing since the 1970s.

The river's water quality has improved significantly, with a 70% decline in PCBs and a 90% decline in dioxins since the 1970s. This is a testament to the effectiveness of the cleanup efforts.

However, massive storms like Hurricane Sandy in 2012 can undo all the progress made. The storm caused an estimated $100 million in damages to the river's ecosystem, including the destruction of habitats and the release of pollutants.

The river's sediment and water quality are still vulnerable to storm surges, which can stir up pollutants and sediment, making it difficult for the river to recover.

The implementation and timeline for the New York Harbor storm-surge barrier study have been revised in response to public pressure.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has agreed to allow more time and transparency before advancing any of its flood protection plans for New York Harbor.

The Corps will produce an "interim report" in early 2019 with additional detail on the six alternatives and a preliminary analysis of their relative costs and benefits.

Here are the key milestones in the revised timeline:

The Corps will share some studies used in the preliminary analysis, providing the public with actual substance to use for its own analysis.

Some critics argue that the New York Harbor Storm-Surge Barrier would be too expensive to build and maintain, with estimated costs ranging from $20 billion to $50 billion.

However, proponents of the barrier point out that it could save the city billions of dollars in flood damage and economic losses each year.

The barrier's design would require a significant amount of land to be reclaimed from the harbor, which could lead to habitat loss and disruption of marine ecosystems.

On the other hand, the barrier's construction would also create new opportunities for waterfront development and recreation, potentially offsetting some of the environmental costs.

The barrier's effectiveness would also depend on its ability to withstand extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and nor'easters, which could put a strain on the city's infrastructure.

Proponents argue that the barrier would be designed to withstand such events, with a reinforced structure and advanced safety features.

However, critics remain skeptical about the barrier's ability to protect the city from the most severe storms, citing the need for more research and testing.

The New York-New Jersey Harbor is vulnerable to storm surges that threaten to inundate the region, putting in danger large numbers of the metropolitan area's residents.

The most vulnerable communities are low-income ones located in public housing projects on low-lying land near the coast.

Hurricanes are most dangerous when their track lies slightly offshore, which is why the elevated temperatures of the tropical Atlantic Ocean and the associated warm surface temperatures of the Gulf Stream flowing northwards along the eastern seaboard are a major concern.

As the world's oceans steadily become warmer, storms are becoming stronger and larger, causing more damage when they follow past storm tracks.

Research suggests that hurricanes hitting the New York City area since 1970 are more intense or have larger wind fields, producing higher storm surge and flood risk.

Sea levels are also rising, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA's) Battery Park tide gauge measuring a rate of one foot per century over the last 160 years.

The rate of sea-level rise has begun to accelerate, potentially adding an additional 3-6 feet to current sea level by the end of this century.