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Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan Public Hearing and Comment Period

Hudson River Park Trust held a public hearing and comment period for the Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan (ESMP) between May 27 and August 9, 2021 as memorialized below and was conducted in accordance with the requirements of the Hudson River Park Act.

The Trust has commenced a public review and comment period for the Draft Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan for Hudson River Park: Progress Report & 2021–2030 Action Agenda. The Draft Plan is a foundational management document developed to guide the Trust and its partners in protecting and conserving important aquatic habitat while also facilitating public access to and fostering awareness and public education about Hudson River Park’s Estuarine Sanctuary. In addition to providing an overview of progress to date under the 2002 Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan, the Draft Plan also sets forth a 2021–2030 Action Agenda intended to guide the Trust and its partners in managing the Sanctuary through the current decade.

A copy of the Notice of Public Hearing & Comment Period, the draft Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan for Hudson River Park: Progress Report & 2021–2030 Action Agenda and the 2002 Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan are available in the links below.

The public comment period runs from Thursday May 27, 2021 to Monday August 9, 2021. All written comments must be received at the Trust’s office by 1:00 PM on August 9. Comments should be emailed to [email protected]. Written comment letters sent by traditional mail and received by August 9 will also be accepted; such comments should be addressed to:  Hudson River Park Trust, Pier 40, 353 West Street, Room 201, New York, NY 10014, Attn. Carrie Roble.

The Trust will also conduct a virtual public hearing on June 29, 2021 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at which time members of the public may also comment. Details on how to access and speak at the virtual public hearing are provided in the public notice linked below. For more information on in-person attendance, please read on below.

KEY DATES:
  • Public Comment Period Starts: May 27, 2021
  • Public Hearing: June 29, 2021 from 4:30–6:30 PM
  • Public Comment Period Closes: August 9, 2021
REFERENCES:
UPDATES REGARDING IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AT THE PUBLIC HEARING

On May 27, 2021, pursuant to the COVID State of Emergency in place at that time, the Trust advertised that a virtual public hearing for the draft Estuarine Sanctuary Management Plan would take place on June 29, 2021 from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM via Zoom as noted in the Public Notice above. On June 21, 2021, the Governor announced that the Executive Orders addressing the COVID State of Emergency will end on June 24, 2021; therefore, pursuant to the Open Meetings Law, public meetings will again occur in person effective Friday, June 24, 2021.

The Trust has already heard from members of the public who plan to attend the hearing virtually.  Accordingly, the Trust will proceed with the virtual hearing as scheduled to accommodate members of the public who have planned to participate or comment virtually. In addition, as the Trust is hosting the public hearing at the Trust’s Pier 40 office, members of the public who wish to listen to the hearing or provide their comments in person may do so. To ensure the Trust has enough seating for any guests who wish to attend in person, please email Tina Walsh at [email protected] by 5:00 PM on Monday, June 28, 2021.

As a reminder, the hearing will take place on Tuesday, June 29 between 4:30 and 6:30 PM. Please review the Public Notice that provides the information on how to join the hearing via Zoom. For anyone attending in person, the location is: Hudson River Park Trust. Pier 40, 353 West Street, Room 201 (a Trust staff person and/or signage will direct you to the hearing location).