Public Notice for CEA Designation

PUBLIC HEARING – Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the City of New York Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) to accept comments on the proposed designation of the Ridgewood Reservoir, located in Highland Park, Queens, as a Critical Environmental Area. The Public Hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Pancras School, 68-20 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385. The Ridgewood Reservoir is a former water supply reservoir located within Highland Park, straddling the Brooklyn-Queens border. The reservoir has been substantially drained for many years and consists of three basins separated by embankments and surrounded by a perimeter pathway. In the years since being taken off-line as a water supply source, the reservoir has transitioned into a naturalized area that is unique within New York City and serves as an important ecological, historic, and public recreation resource. In recognition of its exceptional character, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation proposes to designate the reservoir as a Critical Environmental Area (CEA). Once an area has been designated as a CEA, the potential impacts on the characteristics of the CEA become relevant areas of concern for specific consideration during State Environmental Quality Review Act review of future projects in or substantially contiguous to the area. Copies of the CEA Justification Report and Environmental Assessment Statement can be obtained by contacting the lead agency at the following address: Owen Wells, Director of Environmental Review New York City Department of Parks and Recreation The Arsenal, Central Park 830 Fifth Avenue, Room 401 New York, New York 10065 Telephone: 212-360-3492 Fax: 212-360-3453 Email: owen.wells@parks.nyc.gov Oral and written comments on the proposed CEA designation can be submitted at the Public Hearing. Written comments will also be accepted by NYC Parks at the above address, fax number, or email address until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. This Notice of Public Hearing has been prepared pursuant to the State Environmental Quality Review Act, Article 8 of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law and its implementing regulations found in Part 617 of 6 NYCRR (SEQRA).

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