Ray Sambrotto, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) research scientist presents "Benthic - Pelagic Coupling as the Key to Ecological Restoration in Jamaica Bay"

Directions:
For directions to campus and campus map, view the City University of New York (CUNY) - Brookyln College Travel Directions web page.

Agenda:
6:30 Sign in & Introductions; Dan Mundy (JB Ecowatchers) & Don Riepe (ALS)

6:40 White Island Grassland Project; (NYC Department of Parks & Recreation)

7:10 Gerritsen Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project; (USACE, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation)

7:40 Elders Point West Restoration Update; (USACE)

8:00 Update on DEP, JBWPP Projects; (NYCDEP)

8:15 Update on Oyster Projects; (Hudson River Foundation, NPS, JB Ecowatchers)

8:30 Adjourn

Directions:
By Train/Bus: Take the 2 or 5 grain to Nostrand Avenue, then take the B41 to Kings Plaza or B3 west to East 33rd & Avenue U.

By Bus: Take the B46, B2, or B41 to Kings Plaza, transfer for the westbound B3 bus to East 33rd Street and Avenue U.

By Car: Take the Belt Parkway to Kings Plaza exit, then north on Flatbush Avenue to Avenue U. Turn left onto Avenue U and continue west for ten blocks. Pass 33rd Street and look for the parking lot on the right.

Rebecca Boger and John Marra of Brooklyn College, City University of New York (CUNY), along with the National Park Service (NPS) and Jamaica Bay Institute (JBI) are organizing a Bioblitz of Jamaica Bay from 3pm Friday, September 11th through 3pm Saturday, September 12th 2009. Like the 1st BioBlitz in September 2007, this 24-hour survey aims to catalogue the diversity of organisms in Jamaica Bay. It is part contest (racing against the 24-hour clock), part educational event, and part scientific endeavor. We hope it increases the public’s awareness of the diversity of their own “backyard,” while highlighting the need to protect sensitive ecosystems like Jamaica Bay.

Agenda:
6:30 Sign in & Introductions; Dan Mundy (JB Ecowatchers) & Don Riepe (ALS)

6:45 Update on JFK - SPDES Permit; Larry Levine (NRDC)

7:00 LNG Offshore Island Proposal; (JB Ecowatchers)

7:20 Update on Marsh Restoration Projects in JB; Lenny Houston (USACE)

7:40 Oyster/Eel Grass Project, Nitrogen Reduction; (JB Ecowatchers)

8:10 JB Cleanup and Other Projects; (ALS)

8:30 Adjourn

As a result of the recent Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) meeting held March 24th hosted by the Jamaica Bay EcoWatchers & the Rockaway Park Homeowners/Residents Association, Congressman Anthony Weiner (D-Brooklyn & Queens) has arranged for a follow up meeting involving the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) regarding the proposal for the LNG island to be built off of the Rockaways.

Agenda:
2:00 Informal - Posters brochures and information on the Proposal

4:00 Formal - Question/Answer period with Congressman Weiner, U.S. Coast Guard, Maritime Administration, others

6:00 Adjourn

A Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Island is proposed to be constructed approximately 13 miles off Rockaway’s shore that would cover 140 acres of sea floor with 14 million tons of material from an undisclosed location in the middle of prime fishing grounds. In addition, a 70’ wide trench from the island to an existing pipeline would further impact the ocean floor. This LNG would come from foreign countries, is highly flammable, will create a large carbon footprint, and is difficult to safeguard.