Campaigns & Cases > Protect River Ecology > Storm Surge Barriers

Storm Surge Barriers

We need comprehensive, community-driven flood protection plans. We need solutions that work with nature and protect our living rivers. We do NOT need giant storm surge gates across the waters feeding New York Harbor.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking comments between now and March 31 on a sweeping $52 billion proposal for a suite of large-scale construction projects intended to protect the New York – New Jersey region against flood damage from coastal storm surges.

Clearly, flood protection is an urgent matter for communities along the coast. Storm surges are just one flooding threat; we also need to plan for increasing sea level rise, more intense downpours, and rising groundwater. The Army Corps’ preferred solution – building giant gates across waterways that feed New York Harbor – is too short-sighted, too limited in scope, and too damaging to the natural environment. Our region needs a more well-rounded plan.

Riverkeeper and partner groups in the region are demanding a more rational, comprehensive and environmentally sound approach. We need to restore life to our rivers, not choke them off with gates. We want a more locally driven plan – in partnership with the Corps, but powered by local knowledge and expertise. New York City, New York State and New Jersey, all pursuing resilience strategies of their own, shouldn’t just accept and comment on the Corps’ plan. They should help make the plan, bringing the voices from all the impacted communities into the conversation.

In 2018, Riverkeeper raised an alarm over the more drastic, potentially catastrophic options considered by the Corps: building barriers across the mouth of the Hudson where it meets the ocean. Together we’ve achieved legislation and public awareness to foster better, holistic strategies. We’ve demanded steps to engage the most vulnerable and least powerful communities. Together, we need to move forward as a region and put these strategies to work.

Get informed and speak out:

View a presentation by Riverkeeper President Tracy Brown to the Rockland Sierra Club December 12, 2022, outlining the Corps’ preferred plan and the related issues and concerns.
Army Corps announces preferred plan in storm surge barrier study for NY-NJ. Read our statement. The draft plan spares the Hudson by ruling out giant barriers across the mouth of the river, and calls instead for 12 smaller storm gates across tributaries and extensive shoreline walls. This opens a new and critical phase of flood protection planning for the region.
See the Army Corps Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement: Read the report (PDF) and view an interactive NYNJHAT Study Story Map
Riverkeeper submits comments on Water Resources Development Act of 2020 implementation guidance
Senate and House agree to major improvements in coastal flood prevention study for NY-NJ region
Army Corps suspends feasibility study on storm surge barriers
To face flood risks, New York should lead the way
Riverkeeper supports 5 borough shoreline resiliency plan for NYC
Army Corps ‘Interim Report’ on storm surge barriers: What have we learned?
Hudson River named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2019
Army Corps releases Interim Report, schedules public meetings
Thousands stand up for the river: What we’ve accomplished
See what your neighbors are saying and read municipal resolutions.
Army Corps yields to pressure on NY Harbor storm surge barrier plans
Riverkeeper testifies at NYC Council hearing on storm barrier study
Ask your local elected officials to take a stand. View a model resolution.
Learn more: Barrier plans threaten the very life of the Hudson River
Read our explainer: The process is an outrage
Download our fact sheet.

Above: Conceptual rendering of a storm surge barrier across the Verrazano Narrows, a component of “Alternative 3A” under consideration by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.