[Whole White Island Meeting at Property Owners Meeting]
Phase 1 is already semi complete, which was clearing all of the vegetation on the island (trees and fragmities)above the 10 foot contour, this was for survey purposes this was completed last July.
Now is the second phase which is the full redesign of the island. Which is broken down into two parts. The first part is to stabilize the island, not using sandbags but a more permanent solution, Armour Stone. These 2,000 lb stones will be put on the side the island where the sandbags are, right on top of as not to disturb or let loose anything being held back.
The second part is to cap the island, with about 150,000 yards of sand, which then the island will be replanted with all grassland. The 150,000 of sand is coming from a recent army core dredging project in Rockaway inlet They will be bringing in everything by barge until the end of september.
Right now they are currently stockpiling the sand until their plan is approved by NY State DEC. Which when it is approved the plan will be sent out for bid for a contractor to do the work.
They are looking to start “construction” in the spring.
They even put out a fact sheet detailing their project: [click image for a PDF]
Additional Information
- The island is now and will be off-limits to the public.
- A temporary bridge from the golf course to the Island WILL NOT be necessary since a marine based delivery system is being used to move sand onto the island.
- The sand being delivered is from an Army Corps of Engineer’s dredge contract within Rockaway Inlet.
- Sand that is being stockpiled on the island will not and cannot be moved until plans are approved by NYSDEC and a permit is granted.
- Community members have requested that the horizontal members from old bridge be removed due to safety concerns. DPR will include this scope as part of the Phase 2 reconstruction contract.
- All woody material will be cut and grubbed from the island surface in preparation for the grassland creation.
- As part of the Phase 2 construction, the White Island shoreline will be reinforced with three slope treatments:
- Armor Stone
- Articulated Concrete Block
- Cellular Confinement Systems
- Four types of grassland habitat will be created over the island: tall grass meadow, short grass meadow, maritime grassland, and dune planting.
There was also a water, sand and soil test done on the island. Here is the report.
[Warning PDF]
why bring in new sand all the sand that was put on the island many years ago is still around the island dredge that sand and make it deeper all around the island it is very low on both the east and west sides of the island more so at low tide which causes many boats to hit the bottom causeing injury and damage.
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If the Island wont be open to the public whats the point? It’s not like anyone can see the island. All this work for wildlife that lives in grasslands? Really?
At the very least allow people to apply for permits to visit the island for light use.
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Arthur it is not for you and me but for the wildlife and it does help us.
BTW pls stop chewing while filming its really terrible.
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@, It was iced coffee!
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Good coverage GerritsenBeach.net!
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If the channel is that shallow around White Island, dredging that sand would likely be considered as removing tidal wetlands and would lead to more mitigation. Use the area for what it is, a passive recreation park best suited for kayaking, canoeing, bird watching, etc., not motorized boats and jet skis.
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Since the meeting attendees brought it up a lot, FYI, Piping Plovers are not a grassland species, they are a beach/dune species. PP will choose Atlantic beaches, not inland areas covered in grass.
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That area is not a natural tidal wetland it was man made. Therefore all they have to do is put the sand back the same as they do over in rockaway to replenish the beaches. And that area was used for water skieing and other boating sports. AND MAY THAT BIRD OF WHITE ISLAND SHIT ON YOUR HEAD.
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White Island AKA Mau Mau is nothing but a Toxic Waste Dump seeping into the water.
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