Since Houston, Texas was founded nearly two centuries ago, Houstonians have been treating its wetlands as stinky, mosquito-infested blots in need of drainage. Even after it became a widely accepted scientific fact that wetlands can soak up large amounts of flood water, the city continued to pave over them. In recent days, the flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey has raised water levels in some parts of the watershed high enough to completely cover a Cadillac. The vanished wetlands wouldn’t have prevented flooding, but they would have made it less painful, experts say.

Written by Ana Campoy & David Yanofsky. Read more from the article: https://bit.ly/2PjcLpl.

NY/NJ Baykeeper has a significant interest in preserving open space in Staten Island, particularly in a neighborhood as already well developed as Graniteville. Adding yet another unnecessary retail development in place of a beautiful wooded area raises significant concerns, as it is not supported by local need or desire. The fact that this particular development abuts a significant tract of protected tidal wetlands only compounds the issue, putting even more green space at risk of loss.

Written by Debbie Mans. Read more from the letter: https://bit.ly/30naqA4.

On July 7, 1997, roughly nine acres of land in the neighborhood of Graniteville were assigned to the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. This area of land is within the site known as Graniteville Swamp, which is five times the size of the acreage assigned to the Parks Department.  On June 1, 2000, another addition was made to what is now known as Graniteville Swamp Park.  This little sliver of land, in addition to the original portion obtained by the Parks Department, account for close to nothing when they are compared to the size of the swamp.

Written by Anthony Licciardello. Read more from the article: https://bit.ly/39Sog0q.