Thanks to everyone who made or submitted comments, who rallied their concerned friends and neighbors to the cause, and particularly to all those who attended last night's meeting in Greenpoint (I arrived as it was letting out, alas).
It is a victory for our community, as we came together and put pressure on an agency that had acted without the proper public input and they recognized us as a constituency, heard us, and reversed their improper action.
But the story is not over. While the ban has been lifted the launches are currently not open due to the usual seasonal closures cited on the Parks Department's website:
"No person launching a boat from a kayak and/or canoe launch may begin a boating trip before sunrise or complete a boating trip after sunset. The launch sites will be open from April 1 to December 1" (for the entire list of rules and regulations go to http://www.nycgovparks.org/
In that time it is possible that the results of the coming Department of Health studies will provide actual data which leads city agencies to reinstate the ban before the boating season begins.
So what can you do?
- Keep up with developments which we'll post here, and continue to put pressure on all city agencies to keep their processes concerning public access to our commonly held waterways transparent and open, and to consult our community when making decisions that affect public access for non-motorized boating.
- Continue to spread the correct information that while there are real health risks that may exist in certain conditions in certain parts of the harbor, nearly all the time nearly all the harbor is safe for boating.
- Continue to be an ambassador for the harbor's safe enjoyment and a champion of the connection between recreational use and stewardship.
Additional details and info will be posted as they become available.
I hope it inspires you to see this community become increasingly galvanized and effective, as it does me.
Happy New Year!
NB
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