All News Releases By Date

Public Asked to Comment on the Future of the Port of New York and New Jersey

Release Date: 11/26/2003
Contact Information:

New York, N.Y. -- The federal, state and local government agencies that are developing a plan to improve the port of New York and New Jersey invite interested members of the public to comment on the potential social, economic and environmental impacts of the project. The entities involved in the Comprehensive Port Improvement Plan (CPIP) will hold seven public meetings in December and January to discuss a plan to increase port capacity with residents whose neighborhoods host port sites. "EPA and our partners are committed to an open dialogue with port communities about how port improvements might affect them," said Jane M. Kenny, EPA Regional Administrator. "In everything we do - from cleaning up contaminated sites and enforcing the law to planning for major projects like this one - preserving people's quality of life is our primary goal. The agencies involved in this effort will put the needs of the public at the forefront." "The region's port and its supporting network of freight transportation facilities are vital to economic growth, creating new jobs, and maintaining our competitive position as a gateway for international commerce," explained Richard Gimello of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and Chair of the CPIP project's steering committee. "Contributions to this planning effort from the communities and businesses most directly affected by the port will not only help shape the port's future, but will ensure that the region's environment and quality of life are protected." "Our participation in the CPIP underscores the Army Corps of Engineers' commitment to securing the economic and environmental sustainability of the region. We look forward to the public actively participating to identify issues that will guide the development of the long-term plan for the Port of New York and New Jersey," stated Colonel John B. O'Dowd, District Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Port of New York and New Jersey, the largest port on the east coast, receives and distributes a variety of goods to one of the largest consumer markets in the U.S. The port supports nearly 230,000 jobs and generates nearly $10 billion in wages in the region annually. The volume of cargo that passes through the port's terminals is expected to grow dramatically, potentially doubling over the next 20 years. To deal with this expected increase, the CPIP is being developed in two parts concurrently. One is a plan that defines how the region's port facilities may be improved. The other, an environmental impact statement (EIS), will evaluate the potential improvements based on their likely impacts on the environment and quality of life. The EIS is being developed jointly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration, the NJDOT, the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) and the New York City Mayor's Office. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the NJDOT, the ESDC, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation are funding both parts of the CPIP. A series of seven public meetings will begin in December 2003 in waterfront communities throughout the region. The meetings will include informal open houses from 4:30 to 9:00 PM, with formal presentations about the CPIP EIS and opportunities to comments at 5:00 and 7:00 PM. The meeting dates and locations are as follows: Tuesday, December 2, 2003 Elizabeth City Hall 50 Winfield Scott Plaza Elizabeth, New Jersey 07201 Thursday, December 4, 2003 East Side High School 238 Van Buren Street Newark New Jersey 07105 Tuesday, December 9, 2003 Police Athletic League's Miccio Center 110 West 9th Street Brooklyn, New York 11231 Thursday, December 11, 2003 Public School #1 309 47th Street Brooklyn, New York 11220 Thursday, January 8, 2004 Summerfield United Methodist Church 100 Harbor Road Staten Island, New York 10314 Tuesday, January 13, 2004 Cordero School 158 Erie Street Jersey City, New Jersey 07302 Thursday, January 15, 2004 Bayonne City Hall 630 Avenue C Bayonne, New Jersey 07002 To learn more about the CPIP plan and CPIP EIS, visit www.cpiponline.org, e-mail the CPIP EIS Study Team at [email protected], or call the CPIP toll-free telephone information number at 1-866-877- CPIP (2747).