Story by: Vince Elias
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District
NEW YORK — Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District and its partners received the Coastal America Spirit Award for the Salt Marsh Islands restoration project in Jamaica Bay, N.Y.
Brig. Gen. Peter A. DeLuca, the Army Corps’ previous North Atlantic Division Commander read the citation as Col. Christopher Larsen, the acting Division Commander presented the environmental award aboard the Army Corps vessel Hayward in conjunction with the New York District’s Harbor inspection of the completed Elders Island marsh islands restoration project in Jamaica Bay.
Coastal America is a partnership of federal agencies, state and local governments, and private organizations whose mission it is to protect, preserve, and restore the nation’s coasts. The Jamaica Bay Marsh Islands Restoration Team is comprised of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--New York District, The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, National Park Service--Gateway, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, New York Department of State and the Natural Resource Conservation Service who accepted the award.
The partners were recognized for their role in a large-scale marsh islands restoration project in the Gateway National Recreation Area of Jamaica Bay, and for its innovative and successful ongoing efforts for restoring the marsh islands in the Bay.
Elders Point East and Elders Point West is a marsh island complex within the 26-square mile Jamaica Bay Park and Wildlife Refuge a National Recreation Areas.
"The completion of the Elders Point, Jamaica Bay Salt Marsh Islands project is a result of a productive team effort,” said New York District Commander Col. John R. Boulé. “This Award recognizes a successful multi-agency venture and represents the kind of collaboration needed to achieve the shared vision of comprehensive restoration throughout the NY/NJ Harbor Estuary."
The Coastal America Awards Program is a component of the Federal Partnership, consisting of twelve Federal Agencies, that recognizes outstanding efforts and excellence in leadership for protecting, preserving and restoring the nation's coastal resources and ecosystems. Established in 1997, Coastal America Awards are presented on an annual basis. The Spirit Award recognizes exceptional projects that demonstrate the “spirit” of teamwork for group efforts that address challenging coastal issues that are limited to regional partnering efforts.