Mid-Island Bluebelt Drainage Plans

Mid-Island Bluebelt Drainage Plans Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement

A Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement (FGEIS) has been prepared by DEP for the proposed Mid-Island Bluebelt Amended Drainage Plans project. This FGEIS assesses the potential for environmental impacts and related mitigation to occur under the proposed project.

A Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DGEIS) for the proposed project was completed and distributed for public review by DEP on September 23, 2011. A public hearing was held at the offices of Community Board 2 on Staten Island on October 27, 2011. The public comment period closed on December 16, 2011. In addition, DEP hosted a workshop-style meeting for the public on February 27, 2013 at which time residents had an opportunity to discuss the proposed plans described in the DGEIS. This FGEIS incorporates comments received from the public on the DGEIS, and an assessment of potential environmental impacts related to the design, construction, and operation of the Staten Island Bluebelt Drainage Plans for the Mid-Island Watersheds.

Project Description

DEP proposes to amend the drainage plans for three watersheds within the Mid-Island (East Shore) area of Staten Island. The proposed project covers the Oakwood Beach, New Creek, and South Beach watersheds located in Staten Island Community Boards 2 and 3, an area approximately 5,000 acres in size. Each of these watersheds has surface water features such as streams, ponds and wetlands that would be utilized with the objective of protecting and enhancing these resources through the preservation and improvement of existing streams and wetlands.

The objective of the proposed project is to provide comprehensive stormwater management and address chronic flooding of streets and properties in Mid-Island while preserving and enhancing existing wetlands. Best management practices (BMPs) would be included to provide improved stormwater conveyance, attenuation of stormwater velocities, management and control of stormwater volumes and pollutant removal to reduce flooding of private properties and public streets. In addition, three new proposed outfalls would convey stormwater runoff to Lower Bay. Also, the proposed project includes designs for additional and upgraded sanitary sewers for wastewater conveyance to the Oakwood Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). If approved, the proposed action would commence in fiscal year 2014 and would continue through 2043.

Public Hearing and Comment Period for Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement

One public hearing was held to receive oral and written comments on the Draft GEIS. This hearing was held on:

Thursday, October 27, 2011
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Staten Island Community Board #2 Offices
Community Services Building, Sea View Hospital
460 Brielle Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314

The public comment period for this project was extended to Friday, December 16, 2011.

Please direct any comments or questions on the FGEIS to:

Robert Will, Project Manager
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Bureau of Environmental Planning and Analysis
59-17 Junction Boulevard, 11th Floor
Flushing, New York 11373
Phone: (718) 595-3185
Fax: (718) 595-4479

Final Generic Environmental Impact Statement

• Statement of Findings
• Notice of Completion of FGEIS
• Cover and Table of Contents and Foreword
• Executive Summary
• Project Description of the Overall Program
• Methodology for Drainage Plan EIS Analyses
• Oakwood Beach Watershed
• New Creek Watershed
• South Beach Watershed
• Impacts During Construction
• Alternatives
• Mitigation
• Unavoidable Adverse Impacts
• Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources
• Response to Comments
• Appendix A: Waterfront Revitalization Program (WRP) and Consistency Assessment Form
• Appendix B: Stream Bank Stabilization Techniques
• Appendix C: Natural Resources Data Inventory
• Appendix D: Water Quality Reports
• Appendix E: Pre-Final Design Natural Resources Survey - First Mid-Island Capital Project
• Appendix F: Multi-Year Pre Final Design Natural Resources Investigations for Protected Species in the Three Mid-Island Watersheds

Technical Memorandum Update

Environmental Review Technical Memorandum, April 19, 2019

Mid-Island Bluebelt Drainage Plans Final Scope of Work

DEP reviewed all relevant comments on the Draft Scope of Work (DSOW) which were incorporated into the Final Scope of Work (FSOW). The FSOW was completed on September 30, 2011.

• Final Scope of Work

Public Scoping Meeting

A Public Scoping Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 to receive oral and written comments on the Draft Scope of Work (DSOW). Written comments on the DSOW were accepted until May 31, 2010.

• Determination of Significance
• Draft Scope of Work
• DSOW Figure 1
• DSOW Figure 2
• DSOW Figure 3
• DSOW Figure 4

Please visit the Staten Island Bluebelt homepage for additional information on this award-winning, ecologically-sound and cost-effective stormwater management program.