Recently the LWV-Rivertowns sponsored a Hot Topics breakfast on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposal to add storm barriers to the Hudson River to prevent flooding. After the presentation the following Letter to the Editor was sent to various local newspapers by LWV-Rivertowns president Lynn Levine with support from the LWV-Rivertowns board. Go to the Riverkeeper Website to submit your own comments to the Army Corps of Engineers.

To the Editor:

The Army Corps of Engineers has presented a Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study that presents six alternatives to address the issue of storm surge from major weather events as it would affect New York City.

The League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns is deeply concerned that there has not been adequate study of the environment impacts of the proposed storm water barriers, nor has there been adequate time for public comment in this initial phase. 

The League has requested that comprehensive, critically important environmental studies be completed in advance of any action or decision made as part of the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study, including the selection of a tentatively selected plan or plans from an array of the six alternatives under consideration. 

We are especially concerned that the alternatives that include water barriers threaten to permanently damage the Hudson River Estuary and all affected bodies of water.

The League suggests that the public comment period has been woefully inadequate and should be extended at least another 60 days. Information on the plan was not widespread enough to reach the communities affected, especially here in Westchester.

The League believes that no plan be advanced unless it addresses flooding from both storm surge and sea level rise.

Given the enormous consequences that would result from the project alternatives listed in the Feasibility Study, any initial selection or prioritization of alternatives is unconscionable and irrational without knowledge of the full range of impacts. A more thorough description may be found at Riverkeeper.org.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn Levine,
President
League of Women Voters of the Rivertowns
info [at] lwv-rivertowns.org