Sample letter to Army Corps of Engineers on the HATS proposal

To be sent to Mr. Bryce W. Wisemiller, Project Manager and Ms. Cheryl R. Alkemeyer, NEPA Lead at nynjharbor.tribstudy@usace.army.mil by March 7, 2023.

Mr. Wisemiller and Ms. Alkemeyer,

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Feasibility Study (NYNJHATS) and Draft Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). My name is [ ]. I am a resident [frequent visitor/etc] of Hunters Point in Long Island City, Queens, and [spend time in] Gantry Plaza State Park and Hunter’s Point South Park, where a number of flood mitigation measures are being proposed.

I am particularly [worried about/in favor of] [feature] because of [impact to the community]. [Feel free to elaborate on multiple features, but more effective comments engage with the different types specifically rather than just the overall plan, but it’s also fine if just one aspect particularly concerns you.]

Overall, I [support/oppose/am concerned about] this plan because it will [describe effect] on the [aspect of the park you care about]. The Corps should continue to do local outreach and consider [community group you belong to or local group you support]

Sincerely,

[Name]

Sample letter to Army Corp on the Hunter's Point Ferry proposal

To be sent to Robert.T.Vietri@usace.army.mil by November 18.

Mr. Vietri,

My name is []. I am a resident [frequent visitor/etc] of Long Island City, Queens, and I am writing to call for a public hearing in response to Public Notice NAN-2022-00658-EVI for the construction of a new ferry landing. I am concerned about this project and would like to request a public hearing because [concerns in your own words].

Points to potentially include (feel free to add your own):

- impact on park users [noise, disruption of view]

- impact of this particular location versus current location

- impact on the environment [ pollution, restored wetlands, migrations, noise, increased traffic]

- potential impact on resiliency features in park

- importance of neighborhood hearing about these plans before they are approved, since has been no outreach

- lack of public comment/information [how location chosen/height of structures/impact on views/justification for need for additional ferries here when so close to main terminal]

Sincerely,

[Name]