EA for Dredge Sailors Haven, Watch Hill, and Barrett Beach Channels and Marinas for Public Use and Safety

The environmental assessment (EA) that proposes to dredge the existing navigational channels and their associated marinas and docking facilities at three sites on Fire Island. The purpose of the projects is to re-establish safe, public access to NPS facilities in the aftermath of multiple storm events, including Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

Navigation channels at these locations provide vessel access that is utilized by the general public, concession operated ferries, NPS personnel, law enforcement, emergency response vessels and others. Sediment that has accumulated in the navigation channels, marinas and around some of the docking facilities at these three areas has caused the channels to narrow to a width significantly below the width considered adequate for safe passage. Restoring channel depths and widths to their previous dimensions through re-dredging will provide the required, continued safe access to Fire Island at the project areas. Continuation of current conditions would ultimately result in damage to natural resources from boats running aground and property damage to vessels. Ultimately, it could lead to the cancellation of ferry operations, the inability of concessionaires to service their businesses, and the loss of public access to some Fire Island National Seashore facilities.

The EA was completed in accordance with the 1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality. The EA comment period will extend 30 days beginning September 9 through October 9, 2013. Please submit comments regarding the project: EA for Dredge Sailors Haven, Watch Hill, and Barrett Beach Channels and Marinas for Public Use and Safety electronically through the NPS PEPC web site:
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/fiis or by mail.

For more information about Fire Island National Seashore, visit the park's web site at www.nps.gov/fiis.

Document Content:

EA for Dredge Sailors Haven, Watch Hill, and Barrett Beach Channels and Marinas   (7.6 MB, PDF file) Disclaimer: Links within the above document(s) were valid as of the date published. Note: Some of the files may be in PDF format and can be viewed using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. You may download a free copy of from Adobe Systems.