Living Breakwaters Construction Update - April 2024
APRIL 2024 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE
In April, the contractor continued to advance work on Breakwater ‘G’ – placing armor stone up to +3’ elevation along the entire trunk and up to +9.5’ elevation (the finished elevation) at the two roundheads, including the foundations for the navigation aid lights that will be installed at each end of the breakwater. Next month, the team will build the reef ridges on this breakwater using an excavator working from on top of the partially completed trunk and an amphibious excavator floating in the water. Armor stone placement began on Breakwater ‘H’--the northernmost breakwater and will continue in May. The RHC team had the opportunity to visit the site in early April and was greeted by a group of harbor seals using Breakwater ‘H’ as a hauling out area. You can read more about these wonderful creatures and their habits in the Fun Fact below.
The Shoreline Restoration portion of the project nears completion. The safety fence and construction equipment are expected to be cleared from the site and beach access between Loretto St and Manhattan St restored in May.
Image Descriptions - Left: Photo of Breakwaters ‘G’, ‘F’, and ‘E’ (Credit: Baird, April 2024) - Center: Photo of construction at Breakwater ‘G’ (Credit: SCAPE, April 2024) - Right: Photo of Shoreline Restoration near completion (Credit: SCAPE, April 2024)
FUN FACT: SEALS STRIKE A (BANANA) POSE
Throughout the late winter and early spring of 2024, the construction team welcome the familiar sight of Harbor Seal ‘hauling out’ or resting outside of waters, on the Living Breakwaters. Harbor seals have been returning to the breakwaters and utilized them as their haul-out site since year 2 of the construction when the structures started to emerge from the water. Belonging to the family Pinnipeds, Harbor seal, Gray seal, and even arctic Harp seal can be found wintering in the New York harbor estuary waters from late fall to late spring. Come summertime, most seals migrate northward in search for food and cooler water, though some are thought to stay around New York Long Island region throughout the year. Their side-resting position, dubbed the “banana” pose for their resemblance to the curved fruit, allows seals to self-regulate body temperature, while hauling out on shorelines and rocks provides opportunities for socialization and molting. We love seeing these animals and other marine creatures utilizing the breakwaters as was envisioned since the early days of the design.
Image Descriptions - Left Top: Photo of Harbor Seals Hauling Out on Breakwaters ‘H’ (Credit: SCAPE, April 2024) - Left Bottom: Photo of Harbor Seals Hauling Out on Breakwaters ‘H’ (Credit: SCAPE, April 2024) - Right: Seal Migration Diagram (Credit: SCAPE, April 2024)
Sunday, May 19, 2024, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Rain Date: Sunday, May 26, 2024) Meeting point and limited parking at 850 Page Ave., Staten Island, NY.
Additional parking at Conference House Visitor Center (200-236 Satterlee St.)
Our Spring Public Event will consist of two free activities: a shorewalk with a tour and discussion of the breakwaters from the beach (open to all), and a guided kayaking tour that offers a closer look of the breakwaters (open to ages 12+, limited spots available)! Please RSVP for both or one of the events.
Note: Parking at the meeting point (850 Page Ave.) is limited. Additional parking is available at the Conference House Park Visitor Center at 200-236 Satterlee St. (40 min. walk to our meeting point). The event is also accessible via the SIM2, SIM26, S78, and S59 buses, or a 40 min. walk from Tottenville SIR station. If you arrive late, please walk directly to the beach at the end of Page Ave. to find our group.
*The Kayak activity will be guided by Kayak Staten Island with a minimum 100’ buffer distance from the breakwaters and in-water equipment.