Sierra Club requests disclosure of Hook plan
Organization seeks
independent assessment of possible effects

A local environmental group has called for an independent assessment of the environmental effects of a National Park Service plan to redevelop Fort Hancock on Sandy Hook and a more in-depth study of its effect on threatened and endangered species.

"We would like to see an independent consultant hired to produce the Environmental Assessment," the Jersey Shore Group of the Sierra Club told the park service.

In comments on the environmental assessment, the local environmental group said the study produced by the park service and a private developer was produced by "interested parties."

The group also asked for full public disclosure of plans. "While it may delay the project for a short time ... it will enhance not only public opinion but also public participation and use of the park after the plan is implemented," it said.

The comments also said the assessment is "extremely vague" as to the specifics of the plan selected, lacking details including terms and conditions of the 60-year historic lease the park service has tentatively agreed to give Sandy Hook Partners, LLC for the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of 36 historic Fort Hancock buildings.

Stephen R. Knowlton, Fair Haven, chairman of the Jersey Shore Group, read part of the comments into the record at a public hearing on the redevelopment held Saturday at the Post Theater on Fort Hancock.

The local environmental watchdog group also criticized the assessment for finding the traffic impact of the redevelopment would be negligible, and called for a traffic study to avoid "massive backups on county and local roads near the park entrance."

"An additional 800 vehicles at peak rush hours would exacerbate an already dreadful situation," it said, calling for county, state and federal transportation agencies to undertake traffic impact studies.

Comments contained in a letter to the park service said the group’s greatest concern centers on parking plans that call for adding 665 spaces in six new lots on Fort Hancock and the effect that would have on the rare wild wormwood population of several hundred plants. It said destruction and disturbance of the plants could be avoided by designing the lots to minimize impact on the plants.

In addition, the new parking lots could increase impervious cover and lead to an increase in storm water runoff and pollutants into Sandy Hook Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, it said. The group recommended use of porous surfaces and a drainage system designed to filter out pollutants.

The group also looked at water use and questioned plans for wastewater disposal, noting that projected effluent discharge will exceed permitted levels and push the treatment plant to its maximum capacity. The comments asked how this situation would be addressed and whether plans call for changes to the existing plant or construction of a new plant.

The comments focus on two protected species, the osprey and piping plover, which it said may be "negatively impacted by the construction as well as the proposed reuse activities."

Changes in visitor patterns on Sandy Hook and utility trench construction within 50 yards of nesting sites may potentially adversely affect the piping plover nesting, the comments said.

"Because of this we request that an assessment of potential impacts be conducted ... to ensure that increased visitor use will not adversely affect piping plover nesting at Sandy Hook."

Other concerns raised by the environmental assessment, it said, include a projected increase in visitors resulting from the proposed ferry dock and the possible reactivation of the rail line from the dock to the Proof Battery; abatement of hazardous materials removed from the buildings; provisions for use of alternative and renewable energy sources; management of runoff from the proposed irrigation of turf.

— Gloria Stravelli