New Pier and Ferry Dock Envisioned for Sandy Hook

Date: February 5, 2009
Contact: Brian Feeney, 718-354-4606

(Sandy Hook, NJ) –In keeping with the park’s goal of supporting green transportation alternatives, Sandy Hook Unit Superintendent Dave Avrin recently announced new plans to enhance water access and ferryboat service at Gateway National Recreation Area’s Sandy Hook Unit. Under consideration are a new pier with wave attenuation devices, a floating ferry dock, improved parking, and a waiting area for ferry passengers. In addition, boat slips and a boat ramp could be provided for the various public and educational institutions that occupy historic buildings at Sandy Hook, including the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Rutgers University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA.) The new pier would be placed in the same location as the existing pier and barge, behind the Fort Hancock Chapel.

In order to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, an Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AoE) will be completed to develop and analyze potential alternatives for the new pier. The EA/AoE is expected to be available for public and regulatory review in fall of 2009, and implementation would begin once funding becomes available.

The park is soliciting comments from interested agencies, groups, and individuals and will be hosting a public open house on February 19, 2009 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Fort Hancock Chapel (directions will be available from the Ranger Station located in the center of the park’s main road). The purpose of the open house is to provide the public and interested agencies and organizations an opportunity to learn about the project and comment early in the project planning process. Information will be provided regarding the current status of this effort, and park staff will be available to answer questions. The public is invited to visit at any point during the scheduled time to review materials and provide comments.

The NPS also invites the public to provide written comments about the project via e-mail ([e-mail]), in writing (Superintendent, Gateway N.R.A., Sandy Hook Unit, 58 Magruder Road, Fort Hancock, NJ 07732), or on the park’s Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/gate.