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State FactsMiles of Coast: 2,625 Coastal Population (2000): 15,026,340 Lead Coastal Management Agency: Department of State (DOS) Approval Date: 1982 |
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Ocean and Coastal Management in New York
New York’s Coastal Management Program
The New York Coastal Management Program was approved by NOAA in 1982. The Department of State (DOS), through the Division of Coastal Resources, is the lead agency responsible for administering the program. The Waterfront Revitalization and Coastal Resources Act provides the DOS with the authority to establish a coastal program, develop coastal policies, define the coastal boundaries, and establish state consistency requirements.
As one of the nation's most heavily populated cities, New Yorkers are concerned over public access issues.
The inland coastal boundary is variable but generally is 1,000 feet from the shoreline in non-urbanized areas. In urbanized areas and other developed locations along the coastline, the inland boundary is usually 500 feet or less from the shoreline. In some areas, the boundary may extend inland up to 10,000 feet to encompass significant coastal resources.
The Coastal Program is involved in a wide variety of programs and initiatives that help revitalize, promote, and protect New York's communities and waterfronts. The Coastal Program works with local governments and communities to prepare Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs that define a local vision for the waterfront. The Coastal Program also provides technical assistance to help communities expand public access, restore habitats, protect water quality, reinvigorate urban waterfronts, strengthen local economies, reduce coastal hazard vulnerabilities, and protect historic resources.
New York's Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Hudson River Estuarine Research Reserve is a 4,838-acre network of coastal wetlands located along 100 miles of the Hudson Estuary in New York State. The Reserve is comprised of four sites that reflect the diversity of the Hudson River from the brackish marshes of Piermont to the slightly brackish wetlands of Iona Island, and the freshwater tidal mudflats and marshes of Tivoli Bays and Stockport Flats. The Reserve was designated in 1982 and the lead management agency is the Department of Environmental Conservation.
The Reserve has on-site public education and interpretation programs for adults, students, teachers, and youth leaders. A wide variety of research projects are conducted at the Reserve including: physical, biological, and chemical characterizations, studies of ecosystem processes, and investigations of exchanges between wetlands and the main stream of the Hudson River.
Program Highlights
New York Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRP)
Links
New York Coastal Management Program — The website provides information on ways to improve communities through planning, preservation, and redevelopment of important waterfront resources and brownfields.
Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve — The website provides information on educational and research activities conducted at the Reserve.
Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology — This program brief describes investments in technology development and research projects for the state of New York.
Marine Protected Areas in New York — A summary of marine protected areas and programs in the state.
Marine Protected Areas — Search for marine protected areas by state, region, or topic area.
New York Coastal Nonpoint Program Conditional and Final Approval Documents — The Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program encourages better coordination between state coastal zone managers and water quality experts to reduce polluted runoff in the coastal zone. The state received full approval in 2006.
New York State Coastal Program Evaluation (2008) — The Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management conducts periodic performance reviews of federally approved state coastal management programs.
Hudson River Research Reserve Program Evaluation (2005) — The Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management conducts periodic performance reviews of federally approved state coastal management programs.
Long Island's South Shore Estuary Reserve — The Reserve, established by the New York State Legislature, focuses on improving water quality, enhancing public access and the estuary based economy, protecting and restoring living resources, and education and outreach.
Contact Information for New York’s Programs
New York State Department of State
Division of Coastal Resources
99 Washington Avenue – Suite 1010
Albany, New York 12231-0001
Hudson River Estuarine Research Reserve
c/o Bard College Field Station
Annandale, NY 12504
(845)-758-7010