Jamaica Bay Restoration.pdf

A project to restore Jamaica Bay's islands using dredged material from New York Harbor is underway. The bay's 26-square-mile natural sanctuary has lost over 15,000 acres of salt marsh islands due to environmental neglect, development, and erosion. The Army Corps of Engineers is using millions of cubic yards of dredged material to restore the islands, with the goal of reviving the bay's ecosystem.

The dredging project, which aims to deepen shipping channels, has produced large amounts of rock, clay, sand, and silt. The material is being used to restore wetlands, salt marshes, and oyster beds in Jamaica Bay. The project is a collaboration between city, state, and federal agencies, as well as private partners.

Jamaica Bay, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, is home to hundreds of species of migratory birds and marine life. The restoration efforts aim to revive the bay's natural habitats and improve water quality. The project has already restored 42 acres of wetlands on Elders Point East and 34 acres of salt marsh on Elders Point West, with plans to restore an additional 50 acres of marsh at Yellow Bar Hassock.

The dredging project is expected to be completed in 2014, with approximately 42 million cubic yards of material removed from the harbor. The restoration of Jamaica Bay is seen as a crucial step in preserving the region's natural resources and improving the overall health of the Hudson-Raritan Estuary.