Press Release - Congressman Vito J. Fossella - New York, 13th Congressional District

	Congressman Vito J. Fossella
	*13th Congressional District of New York w Staten Island & Brooklyn*
	1239 Longworth House Office Building w Washington, D.C. 20515 w (202) 225-3371 4434 Amboy Road w Staten Island, NY 10312 w (718) 356-8400 9818 4th Avenue w Brooklyn, NY 11209 w (718) 630-5277

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 18, 2003 Contact: Craig Donner (718) 356-5039
Beeper: (800) 815-2171
www.house.gov/fossella

Rep. Fossella Scores Victory in Battle to Protect Open Space

Fossella Secures Nearly $2 Million to Safeguard Environmentally-Sensitive Land from Development

[Staten Island, NY] -- Congressman Vito Fossella (R-NY13) today announced that he has secured nearly $2 million in federal funding to help purchase and protect environmentally-sensitive open space on Staten Island's waterfront.

The funding will be used to safeguard an as-yet-to-be-determined parcel or parcels of coastal habitat most likely on the northwestern shore of Staten Island. The land will be included as part of the Harbor Herons complex, which includes the network of coastal islands within New York City, including Northwestern Staten Island, and the spectacular variety of birds– especially herons, egrets and ibis – that live there.

Fossella said, "This $2 million will be used to protect and preserve acres of open space on Staten Island. It will prevent the development of some of Staten Island's most precious natural resources. This funding, along with ongoing rezoning initiatives, will further protect our community from overdevelopment by preserving acres of waterfront property. I would like to thank the many groups involved in the Harbor Herons initiative for their commitment to the project and our shared goal of protecting open space in our community."

Fossella secured $1.947 million through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program. The funding was included in the omnibus spending bill that President Bush signed into law last month.

The $1.947 million in funding will be matched by an equal amount of non-federal funds in the form of cash, other land acquisitions, restoration, etc., bringing the total financial commitment to Staten Island's waterfront to at least $3.87 million.

The Harbor Herons complex currently consists of Goethals Bridge Pond, adjoining wetlands such as Old Place Creek, Graniteville Swamp, Sawmill Creek March, and nearby nesting islands, including Isle of Meadows, Pralls Island and Shooters Island. The land is owned and managed by a combination of New York State through the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the New York City Parks Department and private organizations like the not-for-profit Trust for Public Land and the New York City Audubon Society.

DEC Commissioner Erin M. Crotty said, "Preserving open space has been one of Governor Pataki's top priorities, and is essential in providing our citizens with a clean, healthy environment. Protecting critical lands enables us to increase recreational opportunities, maintain historic resources, strengthen local economies, and preserve valuable ecosystems. This announcement is a wonderful gift to the community and I applaud Congressman Fossella's efforts to protect these environmentally-sensitive lands."

New York City Parks Department Borough Commissioner Tom Paulo said, "I want to offer my gratitude to Congressman Fossella on behalf of the Harbor Herons project."

Clark Wallace, project manager for the Trust for Public Land, said, "The Trust for Public Land is very grateful to Congressman Fossella and the entire NY Congressional delegation for securing these funds. With help like this from our representatives in Washington, and the continuing partnership of the State and City of New York and Staten Island civic and environmental organizations, we hope to be able to continue our work to protect critical habitats in the Harbor Herons area.

E. J. McAdams, Executive Director of New York City Audubon, said "New York City Audubon has worked to conserve and protect the Harbor Herons Complex for the last 20 years. We applaud Congressman Fossella for securing these funds and insuring the future of this Important Bird Area. It is a great gift for birds and New Yorkers."

Jim Scarcella, President of the Natural Resources Protective Association (NRPA), said, "The Natural resources Protective Association fully applauds the efforts of Congressman Fossella in securing $2 million for acquisition of tidal wetlands in northwestern Staten Island. Our tidal wetlands provide open space, pollution filtration and protection against flooding. The marshes are a nursery for birds, crabs, shellfish, baitfish and gamefish like bluefish and stripped bass. The allotment of monies for acquisition of tidal wetlands is an important step forward in protecting the environment of the New York/New Jersey Harbor."

The Harbor Herons complex is considered a breeding site for nine species of colonial wading birds and a major nesting and foraging area for herons, egrets and ibis. A 1995 survey documented that this area supported 57% of the state's Cattle Egrets, 21% of the state's Great Egrets, 28% of the state's Snowy Egrets, 57% of the state's Black-crowned Night Herons, 35% of the state's Glossy Ibis, as well as smaller numbers of Little Blue Herons, Yellow-crowned Night Herons, Great Black-backed Gulls, Herring Gulls and Double-crested Cormorants, according to the New York City Audubon Society.