WTC site damage assessment map, Sept 21, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

(Morone saxatilis) winter in the Hudson River fi’om mid-November to mid-April. Other common fish species occurring in the River’s lower reach include yearling winter flounder (Pseudopleunnectes americanus) (December to April), summer flounder (Paralychthes dentatus), white perch (Morone americanas), Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod), Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia), Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix), hogchokers (Triner^es maculates), and American eel (Anguilla rostrata) (Hart and Milliken, 1992). Benthic invertebrate communities of New York Harbor include polychaetes, oligochaetes, nematodes, amphipods, mussels and barnacles. According to surveys by EEA (1991), species diversity is highest in the spring season. Higher water temperatures accompanied by hypoxic conditions (low dissolved oxygen levels) are probably responsible for lower diversity found by late summer. Generally under pier areas had greater species abundance and diversity than nearby substrates. Zones within the pier consist of soft mud and provide limited habitat.

Environmental Impacts

The proposed action would potentially require removal of areas of vegetation and landscaping associated with buildings and facilities that would be repaired or reconstructed. The proposed alternatives would result in the replacement, re­ development, or repair/retrofit of existing buildings, subways, and area infrastructure. Existing buildings would be designed consistent with current land use and would incorporate new vegetation as part of the landscaping plan. No significant impact to flora would be anticipated.

As in the past, in cooperation with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, replacement buildings in the vicinity of the WTC would likely incorporate design elements to prevent or control impact to protected species and migratory birds related to collisions with windows or building projections. Any wildlife present in the vicinity of the WTC would be temporarily disrupted by construction activity and, depending on the size or duration of the proposed project, surface water resources may be indirectlv impacted by runoff. Measures will likely be taken to minimize impact to on wildlife and surface water bodies, to maintain the water quality of the Lower Hudson Reach. Because of the urban nature of the WTC and the likelihood that land use will not change relative to pre-disaster conditions, no significant impacts to wildlife would be anticipated for any of the project alternatives.

3.2.3 THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES

Federal and state-listed threatened and the statutes regulate endangered species and aquatic organisms:

• Endangered Species Act • Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act • New York State Environmental Conservation Law, Article 24, Freshwater Wetlands

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