Work along the Western Waterfront is continuing as the plans originally created by Cameron Engineering Associates, LLP are being implemented. The two steel buildings remaining from the original Jakobson Shipyard were demolished last week and work on their rebuilding has started.

The newest development is an application by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, that has requested Department of the Army authorization for the installation of a boat launching ramp; dredge with upland disposal; seasonal floats; and the replacement of an existing bulkhead on Oyster Bay Harbor.

The public notice was issued on Nov. 6 and community comments must be in on the project by Dec. 11.

The work will involve the installation of a 21-foot-wide by 133-foot-long boat launching ramp by installing pre-cast concrete slabs for the boat ramp; removal of and replacement of approximately 22 linear feet of existing concrete bulkhead to four feet below grade with 20-foot-

long returns at each end of the bulkhead on each side of the opening. They plan to dredge with a clam-shell bucket approximately 285 cubic yards of material from under the area of the proposed boat ramp of which approximately 90 cubic yards of peat material will be removed from the site and placed on uplands. A total of approximately 225 cubic yards of suitable fill will be discharged within the dredged area to provide a base for the boat ramp making for a net removal of material of approximately 59 cubic yards.

As part of the sediment and erosion control, a temporary cofferdam would be placed along the perimeter of the project area. Dredge material would be placed on an upland site where it would be suitably retained so as not to re-enter the waterway.

The project would also involve the installation of a seasonal dock consisting of (4) 6-foot wide by 20-foot-long floating docks, (1) 6-foot-wide by 10-foot-long float, a 6-foot wide by 13-foot long ramp and (8) 12-inch diameter anchor piles to secure the floats. The DEC has determined that the project is safe environmentally and the next step is to get an OK from the Army Corps of Engineers. The stated purpose of this project is to provide safe public access to Oyster Bay Harbor.

Simply stated, the state is proposing to build a boat ramp on the existing Jakobson bulkhead to the east of the existing railroad tracks. It will include a concrete ramp to let boats into the water, a wooden ramp for boaters to walk down onto a floating dock to exit and get aboard their boat. That boat ramp will be open to all New York State residents. Parking is planned for the entrance area to the boat ramp.

Bill Fonda, a spokesperson for the DEC, said work on the Western Waterfront is proceeding along the north side's improvement plans. He said, "The wetland restoration bid has been accepted and the contractor will be mobilizing next week, working on the area that flows out of the Mill Creek into Oyster Bay."

He added, "Buildings I and J have been knocked down and bids for the reconstruction have been opened and are being reviewed and the award is pending."

A town spokesperson said the WaterFront Center will be located in building G, where it is presently located.

The work being done at the Western Waterfront will be done using state funds but administered by the town - they are handling the contracts and RFPs.

The DEC is designing the boat ramp and is waiting for approval for the work by the Army Corps of Engineers.

Mr. Fonda said, "On the contract work, we are anticipating construction in the first quarter of 2007."

He said the Town of Oyster Bay's request for proposals for the marine education center [waterfront center] have been received by the town and they are reviewing the responses. A town spokesperson said, "Once the town's RFP for the WaterFront Center proposal is accepted, that proposal will spell out exactly what the operation of the WFC will be and what facilities it will encompass."

In the original plan for the boat ramp, there was parking for the cars and trailers, and the Baymen were to have space at the dock as well as parking spaces. Mr. Fonda said, "The DEC is working with the design of the location and the intention has been to make space for local Baymen and all parties involved are working on a way to resolve this in the coming months." There will be 20 parking spaces for cars and trailers on the site.

"Do we need to put more concrete there and destroy the grass?" asked Fritz Coudert, board president of the WaterFront Center. "We have two beautiful launching ramps with docks. They go at an angle that aims at the Nantucket. The other dock would be straight out in front of it. There could be a problem with traffic and possible collisions."

Mr. Coudert said the proposed boat ramp and dock might be an advantage for the Oyster Festival since boaters are upset that they can't bring their boats in at that time. On the other hand, he questioned whether the boat ramp is needed or is a good use of state funds at this time, since the original proposal was made about 10 years ago. He said, "If they look again, they could put the money into a better cause. Putting down ramps is not cheap."

He is also concerned that the state did not plan to charge for use of the ramps. He said, "If they are priced differently from the Town of Oyster Bay ramps, it will be a real mess. It's an explosion waiting to happen. Ramps break up and require a lot of maintenance. The town does a good job. Will the state take care of it?" It should be mentioned that the WaterFront Center has a proposal to build a marine education building adjacent to the proposed boat ramp.

The area proposed for the boat ramp was where the Jakobson Shipyard took the rust off ships using a stream of water that contained black glass that stripped off the metal. The area has already been remediated to remove any contaminants.

"Friends of the Bay will review the permit application and the proposed activities," said Kyle Rabin, executive director for Friends of the Bay. "And, we plan to submit comments to the US Army Corps of Engineers."

The Army Corps of Engineers is soliciting comments form the public on the project. Your comments can be mailed to:

Consistency Coordinator, New York State Department of State, Division of Coastal Resources and Waterfront Revitalization, Coastal Zone Management Program, 41 State Street, Albany, NY 12231, Telephone (518) 474-6000.