WTC site damage assessment map, Sept 21, 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

• Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Essential Fish J Habitat Designation for New York Harbor

Listed threatened and endangered species that can be found in the vicinity include the Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). The Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a species of concern but is no longer a listed threatened and endangered species (USFWS personal communication).

Environmental Impacts

It is unlikely that repair, renovation, or replacement of existing facilities, subway lines and stations, roadways, underground utilities, bridges, pedestrian walkways, or green space would adversely affect proposed or listed threatened and endangered species in the lower Manhattan area. As m the past, replacement buildings would likely incorporate design elements to prevent or control impact to protected species. No significant direct impacts to any federal’y listed threatened or endangered species would be anticipated during the construction of the project alternatives. If federally listed or proposed threatened and endangered species have the potential to be impacted, FEMA would initiate consultation with the USFWS. Potential impacts to federally listed or proposed threatened and endangered species would be evaluated and documented in an SEA.

3.2.4 CRITICAL HABITAT

The Hudson River has been designated as significant habitat by state and federal agencies, for example:

• NYSDEC: Significant Fish and Wildlife Habitat , • NYSDOS: Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habjtat, Lower Hudson Reach • EPA, NYC Dept of Parks and Recreation: Estuary of National Significance, Habitat Estuary Program

As stated in the July 1992 description of the Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitats Program, New York State Department of State has designated the Lower Hudson Reach extending from Battery Park northward to Yonkers, as significant fish and wildlife habitat. The eastern habitat boimdary is the developed shoreline along Manhattan, Bronx, and Yonkers. The Lower Hudson Reach includes the waters along the boroughs including deepwater, shallows, piers, and interpier basins. The western habitat boundary is determined to be located in the middle of the R^^- along the NY-NJ state line

As a highly productive estuary, and one of the few major tidal rivers on the North Atlantic coast of the United States, the Hudson River was designated an Estuary of National Significance in 1988 by the U.S. EPA. With the New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary approved as part of the National Estuary Program, the two states have been working on implementing an estuary plan (www.harborestuary.org).

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