§59c–2 East River, New York

Summary

The Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers, must approve a project only if engineering studies (to check bulkhead location and stability, filling, and pile-supported structures) and environmental studies under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 show it is in the public interest. If approved, certain parts of the East River in New York County are declared not to be navigable waters of the United States and Congress allows those parts to be filled or to have permanent pile-supported structures built. The area covered is the part of the East River shoreward of the United States pierhead line as it existed on March 7, 1974, bounded on the north by the south side of Rutgers Slip extended east and on the south by the southeasterly border of Battery Park at the point next to the westerly end of South Street extended south by southwest. The declaration applies only to portions that are bulkheaded and filled or occupied by permanent pile-supported structures. Plans must be approved by the Secretary through the Chief of Engineers, and local interests must repay the federal government for engineering and other costs the government incurs under this law.