Working Group Presentation Meeting 41

Draft Recommendations as of April 24, 2023

Workgroup Recommendation

Work group composition is not sufficient to consider social and economic justice issues – additional representation is needed; work group has not yet begun to discuss this topic so recommendations on this topic are not provided in this list

Related Resource Concern

Social and Economic Justice

Related Current Park Management

None

Workgroup Recommendation

Develop and implement adaptive management framework for continued monitoring and evaluation of thresholds for ecological impacts.

Related Resource Concerns

•Night sky (Artificial Lighting)

•Soundscape (Noise)

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

•Habitat

•Air quality

•Water quality

•Fertilizers

•Pesticides

Related Current Park Management

DOI and NPS have an adaptive management framework. There is not currently adaptive management plan in place for Sandy Hook; NPS Inventory and Monitoring Program and park monitor some vital signs at Sandy Hook to inform long-term management.

Work Group Recommendation

Require native plantings and provide tenants with a list of approved species and parameters relative to vegetation planting.

Related Resource Concern

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

•Habitat

•Fertilizer

Related Current Park Management

Most leases will not have land assignment;
management of vegetation within Fort Hancock Historic Post area is informed by Cultural Landscape Treatment Plan;
NPS policies require use of native species of locally sourced genetic material to the greatest extent possible;
all planting will require park review and approval in advance.

Workgroup Recommendation

Potential impacts of expanded leasing should be considered over the entire Sandy Hook Unit and not limited to the Fort Hancock Post area.

Related Resource Concern

None

Related Current Park Management

For NHPA Section 106, the area of potential effects is the “geographic area within which an undertaking may directly or indirectly cause alterations in the character or use of historic properties”; The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires evaluation of direct, indirect and cumulative impacts.

 

Workgroup Recommendation

Evaluate a range of possible environmental impacts given changes in diurnal activity in the park.

Related Resource Concerns

•Night sky

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

•Habitat

•Air quality

•Water quality

•Fertilizers

•Pesticides

Related Current Park Management

Lessees will be subject to same access restrictions as other visitors with exception of 24/7 access to leased property; current existing restrictions include public operation hours (6 am – 9 pm) except by permit, public access is restricted to trails, dune cuts and designated areas, seasonal restrictions, and closures.

Workgroup Recommendation

Research and identify impacts on wildlife (i.e., sound impacts on turtles; human disturbance on bald eagles and seal haul-outs).

Related Resource Concerns

•Soundscape

•Night sky

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

•Habitat

Related Current Park Management

Best available existing science is used to identify and assess potential impacts of any proposed park project.

Workgroup Recommendation

Use scientific literature and engage experts to inform possible need for quiet zones (both light and noise impacts).

Related Resource Concerns

•Soundscape

•Night sky

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

Related Current Park Management

Best available information is used to identify and assess potential impacts for projects as part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of proposed federal actions.

Workgroup Recommendation

Developers should bear costs associated with mitigation and adaptive management for impacts from leasing program [Note: entity holding lease from NPS is lessee. In case of Stillman proposal, lessee is also the developer. Lessee may sublease only with NPS review and approval of sublease document.]

Related Resource Concerns

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

•Habitat

•Air quality

•Water quality

•Fertilizers

•Pesticides

•Night sky

Related Park Management

Lessees will be responsible for costs of adaptive rehabilitation, building maintenance and utilities and some cost recovery charges for trash management, snow removal, etc.

Workgroup Recommendation

Include lighting restrictions in leases

Related Resource Concerns

•Night sky

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

Related Park Management

All park projects including leasing, are reviewed for compliance with night sky best management practices.

Workgroup Recommendation

Monitor avian collisions (light, windows and reflections) to inform management of leasing related light impacts on migratory and resident birds; asking NPS lessee to fund; assess any ecosystem change and/or diversity.

Related Resource Concerns

•Night sky

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

Related Park Management

None

 

Workgroup Recommendation

Include noise restrictions in leases.

Related Resource Concerns

•Soundscape

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

Related Current Park Management

Sandy Hook quiet hours are from 10 pm to 6 am;
Park Compendium prohibits noise levels exceeding 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet,
fireworks are prohibited without park issued permit;
personal watercraft are prohibited within park boundaries except within designated navigation channels;
aircraft are not permitted within Sandy Hook (except permitted uses by USCG and for emergency response);
no plans for development of a marina

Workgroup Recommendation

Manage lease related waste to avoid attracting predator and negative impacts on other wildlife;

Related Resource Concerns

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

Related Current Park Management

Park conducts predator management to benefit shorebird nesting T&E species

Workgroup Recommendation

Educate lessees and residents of impacts of feeding feral cats and wildlife (particularly species of concern and threatened and endangered species).

Related Resource Concerns

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

Related Current Park Management

Feeding wildlife (including feral cats) is prohibited [CFR 36 Chapter 1 Section 2.2(2)]; Introducing wildlife, fish or plants into a park area is prohibited [36 CFR Chapter 1 Part 2.2(2); CFR 36 Chapter 1 Part 2.15 and the Superintendent’s Compendium provide regulations regarding pets

Workgroup Recommendation

Protect and manage existing forests

Related Resource Concerns

•Habitat

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

Related Current Park Management

2014 GATE General Management Plan established management zones – no leasing or development within natural zone or sensitive resource subzone

Workgroup Recommendation

Adaptive reuse of vacant buildings may eliminate habitat for some species (i.e., additional nesting platforms for osprey; displacement of racoons and opossum from buildings).

Related Resource Concerns

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

•Habitat

Related Current Park Management

Park has installed numerous Osprey platforms; osprey nests can only be removed from building with prior park permission between September 1 and March 13;

Workgroup Recommendation

Manage mowing frequency and timing (seasonality) to manage risks to birds

Related Resource Concerns

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

•Habitat

Related Current Park Management

Lessees generally do not have land assignment – NPS will continue to manage turf within Fort in area of leased buildings.

Workgroup Recommendation

Manage impacts from campfires or fireplaces from leased buildings

Related Resource Concerns

•Air quality

Related Current Park Management

Leases do not allow fires in fireplaces; lessees generally do not include outdoor spaces

Workgroup Recommendation

Monitor air quality to track and inform management of increased vehicle emissions and other air pollution related to leasing; in park monitoring to detect change due to leasing; rules to restrict idling.

Related Resource Concerns

•Air quality

Related Current Park Management

Air quality is a regional issue, Sandy Hook is in a non-attainment area; do not currently have any in-park air quality monitoring.

Workgroup Recommendation

Limit number of vehicles lessees can have and permit lessee parking; limit types of vehicles that lessees can have (i.e., do not allow big RVs)

Related Resource Concerns

AIr Quality

Related Current Park Management

None

 

Workgroup Recommendation

Do not use anti-coagulant bait traps for pest control

Related Resource Concerns

Pesticides

Related Current Park Management

NPS policies do not allow use of anti-coagulant bait for pest control; all use of pesticides in any NPS unit must be approved and tracked through Pesticide Use Proposal System

Workgroup Recommendation

Provide electric charging stations to encourage electric vehicles; grid capacity

Related Resource Concerns

•Air Quality

•Soundscape

Related Current Park Management

GATE is beginning to transition some of park fleet to electric vehicles; potential project under funding consideration to update electrical system

Workgroup Recommendation

Understand adequacy of current and future maintenance of stormwater facilities given climate change

Related Resource Concerns

Water Quality

Related Current Park Management

None

Workgroup Recommendation

Ensure lessees understand risks of applying fertilizers at certain times of years

Related Resource Concerns

•Fertilizers

•Water quality

Related Current Park Management

Fertilizers are not used for routine lawn care; proposed fertilizer use is reviewed as part of project compliance and evaluated for need and application rate and timing of application

Workgroup Recommendation

Evaluate if increased tenancy can be supported by existing infrastructure (water, sewer, electric, storm water, etc.)

Related Resource Concerns

Water quality

Related Current Park Management

None

Workgroup Recommendation

Manage Sandy Hook to protect native habitats and prevent/reduce/mange non-native invasive species (e.g., prohibit marinas or mooring to prevent aquatic invasives)

Related Resource Concerns

•Habitat

•Human disturbance of resident and migratory wildlife

Related Current Park Management

None

Workgroup Recommendation

Manage waste oil disposal from food establishments

Related Resource Concerns

None

Related Current Park Management

US Public Health Services inspects all park food service operations

Workgroup Recommendation

Do not use non PFA containing fire extinguishers and firefighting foams

Related Resource Concerns

Water quality

Related Current Park Management

NPS guidance restricts purchase of PFA fire extinguishers and firefighting foams

Last updated: February 18, 2025

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

210 New York Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10305

Phone:

718 354-4606

Contact Us