Whose park is this? It’s YOURS and MINE and EVERYONE’S! One of the many activities that the Natural Resources Protective Association (NRPA) does is cleaning-up at natural areas, such as in the much neglected park area of the Graniteville wetlands and forest in Staten Island. This video follows Jim Scarcella, president of NRPA, and his fellow volunteers as they do the clean-up work and explain what and why they are doing this and what they hope to achieve. NRPA will be doing more such clean-ups at Staten Island’s beaches, waterfronts, parks and other neglected natural areas throughout this year as they have in past years of Staten Island’s harbor estuaries.
The controversial plan to build a BJ’s wholesale Club and several other retail outlets on South Avenue is moving forward.
But some say the move will put nearby residents at risk of flooding since the construction would disrupt nearby wetlands.
NY1’s Anthony Pascale speaks with Saul Porter and Gabriella Velardi-Ward, members of the Coalition for Wetlands and Forests, about their plans to fight the development.
The fact is that approximately 1,850 trees will be cut down. The fact is that 5 vernal wetlands will be destroyed leaving one tidal wetland. The fact is that traffic in this neighborhood is already so bad that it is very difficult and dangerous to cross the street. The fact is that if this strip mall is built, the traffic will increase especially during the holidays. The fact is that BJs will create flood resiliency for themselves but not for the neighborhood. The fact is that if they build their grade elevation higher then their neighbors, we will be flooded. The fact is that the developer is not considering climate change in their Environmental Impact Statement and they are using outdated statistics. I could go on about this.
Email from CWF Member to Councilwoman Debi Rose:
Councilmember Rose, I hope you are well.
You are an intelligent person. You are generous, and you work hard for your district.
Not quite sure who guided or directed you on this partially misguided publicity video, but compared to the existing forest and wetlands, the South Ave Retail is far from the “home run” you seem to think it is.
We never saw documents saying or showing 1,000 trees will be protected. At least, I haven’t seen the new footprint saving 1,000 trees.
There was never a legal notice publicized of the draft EIS hearing before the CPC (we tracked it down on the DCP website). The CPC noted six persons spoke in favor and six against. I heard you were there that day, but you chose not to speak up?
Further, the DCP official response to comments notes multiple persons objecting to various components of the project, but curiously the supporters had nothing official in the final EIS.
Also, the fine pledges — hire local, no truck traffic on South Ave (oh, there will be post-project monitoring) — how will you enforce the developer’s promises to you and the community you represent?
If you noticed, the bulk of my opposition was related to the destruction of trees, because asthma will increase in your district if this project moves forward. It’s usually not your style to harm your constituents in any way, shape, or form. You also heard testimony that small businesses would be hurt by the wholesale club and related stores.
Not sure what to think, but this project is poor.
If South Ave Retail moves forward, we respectfully request that you and DCP find a way to make the “project concessions” become real.
Tour of Graniteville wetlands and forests of October, 2017. Description of environmental and quality of life issues regarding the destruction of 18 acres of rare unprotected woodlands on the north shore of Staten Island, New York.
Wetland systems proved critical in protecting Staten Island communities during 2012’s Hurricane Sandy by providing a natural buffer from the rising waters. The Trust for Public Land is currently working as quickly as possible to identify and acquire more lands in Staten Island in order to expand a network of wetlands which can help absorb the impact of large storms and protect communities.
