Comment EI-17404
Received or sent (printed as 4/8/2009)
An Environmental Impact Statement should be authorized since actions to alter or remove the Harsimus Stem Embankment would negatively affect the human and natural environment. The Embankment serves as a culturally important aspects of The Village, Harsimus Cove and Hamilton Park neighborhoods. The Embankment provides a rare semi-natural landscape amongst a densely populated city and reminds its residents and visitors of the historical industrial relevance of the city. With the efforts to make the modern city green, it is important to have parks for humans to enjoy and to provide a natural environment for other species to co-exist. Rainwater and runoff are able to be filtered because of the soil and plants that surround and sit atop the Embankment. With so many streets and paved areas in Jersey City and New York, every park is crucial to prevent further pollution in the groundwater and rivers. Linear parks are greatly utilized and such use for the Embankment would allow residents to have a safe, natural and unique place to get from place to place, exercise outdoors or simply enjoy both the urban and wild environment that the Embankment creates. Removal of the structure would be a loss of another great historical gem of the city and a cultural symbol synonymous with Sixth Street. It would remove a natural spot for the many migratory birds who fly over our state. Partial or total removal would create debris that would need to be dumped elsewhere, release contaminants and likely have other averse effects on the community both in the removal and lasting afterwards. Because it is such a unique structure that has become an important aspect of the area and is one of the few parks in Historic Downtown, the consequences of its abandonment should be carefully assessed. Thank you for your consideration in this important matter.
Submitted by: Alex Goggin-Callahan · Embankment Preservation Coalition · Annapolis, MD
The Board publishes this comment in its environmental-comment table for this proceeding. It is quoted here as printed; nothing is inferred from it, and it states the commenter's own position in their own words, not this record's.
Permanent address docketyard.org/d/AB-167/sub/1189X/comment/EI-17404 · back to the docket sheet