“Response to. Comments from the Open House and Questionnaires .

COMMENT

RESPONSE

The housing should be. rented if
other government agencies can’t
use it’

All the housing at Fort Wadsworth will-be used by government
agencies, specifically the U.S.‘Coast Guard and the National Park
Service.

Fort Tompkins would make a
wonderful hotel and Staten Island
needs another:

|. will be converted to bed-and-breakfast style accommodations to
_address overnight lodging needs. :

Fort Tompkins is.a historic fort that is listed on the national veined :
Converting it to a hotel is not compatible with its historic use or
significance. However, some of the housing on Morit Sec Avenue

I'd like to se the chapel remain a
religious center and place of.
worship for all denominations.

Religious services will be considered community-based cultural
events, consistent with.the proposed uses for the chapel indicated on
P: 22 of the final plan.

Provide piblic transportation from

Staten Island Ferry Terminal’ with a
few stops on Staten Island to
attract off-islanders and islanders
to the fort. a

-| locations — such as:the ferry terminal and bus stops — to help’

Bus service is available to the fort from the Staten Island fetiy *
terminal. Site managers will provide directional signs in key

visitors navigate their way to the fort.

Could a marker be placed at the
site of the Old Fort Tompkins
Lighthouse of 1828?

The interpretive plan will consider all aspects of the fort, including
the 1828 lighthouse, the 1873 lighthouse, and the 1903 light on
Battery Weed. Markers are not considered critical'to the interpreta-
tion of these structures.

Lighthouse — please filly restore
sand open for visitors:

As described on pagé 18-6f the final plan, the’ ighthowe would be —
restored and available on’a guided tour basis. :

Collaborative — Business, .
education.and Park Rangers to
maintairi Ft. Wadsworth through .
science labs and business
mentoring programs.

The National Park Service has little experience with ptograriming
for adult education. However, it is possible that if all of Fort
‘Wadsworth becomes NPS property some time in the future that a
portion of the site could become a-campus with collaboration
between the academic sector and the Park Service for mutual gain.
Such programs would necessarily. be directly related to NPS .
programs and mission, with a focus on the history and natural
science of the site and the Hudson-Raritan ecosystem.

Create-a commercial environment
while retaining historical value!!!"
eg: riverwalk .. . restaurants; cafe,
wedding receptions,

The plan calls for concessions, which are commercial operations, for
bed-and-breakfast style accornmodations, a restaurant and snack bar,
and ferry service. Wedding receptions could be accommodated on a
space-available basis in the restaurant in building 109 on Mont Sec
Avenue.

| Have the media do a TV spot on
the Fort itself — this would inform
& educate people about some of
Staten Island’s tich history.

To follow up on above, contact
CTV (ch24) to originate public
access TV about Gateway, and air
the programs weekly, and ~
distribute them nationwide via
‘cable public access TV.

Once trarisferred to the National Park Service, site managers will
encourage television’ and other media coverage of the fort,



NEW. YORK AVENUE GATE

Ouse as-main entrance

* SGUARDHOUSE’. -
0 staff with NPS Front

MONT SEC'AVES 1UE"
Ciretain historic residential setting
0 éehabilitate building 109 for restaurant,
O rehabilitate abrth side homes for
overbight visitor accommodations: -
C interpiet one building to depict how
officers Fiyed in the 18905- .
D revie sovth'side strutturessfor
“> employee. housitig: use building -
_US for conferences and'spe
occasions

}-ENDICOTEERA BATTERIES
AND'EOMMAND POST ~~ -

4 Eb restore anil interpret one battery tits
carly 1900s appeifance

” Gi preserve other bitteries aad secure
from uoauthorized iccess

-ROD AND.GUN CLUB, SEAPLANE*
HANGAR, WEST ENTRANCE .
SG Dipesee sod HOUSE a

elated ©» *

"Diupgride for ferry servide’ -

+ Cl construct aeW structure ox dock for
ferty postage! veetcome and staging
area,

IS-FORT TOMPKIN y

| Chrehabiltite and iterprt to reflect use"

during lite 19th century

5, (T rehabilitate castiniates and modernize
certain areas to-provide miscuim and
office space

C open counterscarp gallery 10 o ublicon ‘on
guided tour:

‘0. remove pavement and reseed parade
‘grounds

» Deomplere graffiti removal

/ATION AtkA / NEW YORK. NEW JERSEY

HeTORPEDO BUILDING
UI preserve

+O) rehabilitate south loiver level for =

+ restrooms

I-BATTERY. WEED

« O rehabilitate ind inerptt toetlect ise”

during turo,of the century

O furnish and interpret ofc side of
guardhouse; rehabilitateother sidé for °

visitor otiedtation - *

G reuse second floor fori ive
offices

oO complete gai ‘emoval

# BUILDING 120

6) use rotunda for visitor center

K “CARRIAGE HOUSE
G rehabilitate for use as funch/smack bay

ul NEW. MEXICO COURT AND
BUILDINGS 1}8 AND 119

. Buse foremployee. ‘oni .

Me CHAPEL .

Dallow:commonity: ised cbltural

N.INFANTRY BATTALION.
BARRACKS (BUILDING 210) -”
- B complete rehabilitation for site
administration |

O-SEABEE COMPLEX
O rehabilitate (or NPS maiottsiance
‘petitions
‘compete park police stuble'renovation

Pd POLICE : STATION, AMMO.
STORACE. HOUSING

Dhremove:”

ia.azo-so a5
AE HUGO HeuTae

- sncnoostAaDSC SEPT %



We would like to acknowledge the following
institutions and individuals for the use of
their images and plans in this document:

Brian Feeney, National Park Service
Center for Military History
Harbor Defense Museum
National Archives
Staten Island Historical Society
Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences
- United States Army Military History Institute

RECOMMENDED:

Mary Gibson Scott . : : September 20, 1995
Superintendent, Staten Island Unit ‘

APPROVED:

Kevin C. Buckley ‘ September 20, 1995
General Superintendent, Gateway .

National Recreation Area

Marie Rust : . September 20, 1995
-Field Director, Northeast Field Area : °

3) Printed on Recycled Paper



WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES:

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The commercial importance of New York
City and its harbor prompted the .
development of the fortifications at Fort
Wadsworth as well as other New York
and New Jersey locatioris, making New
York Harbor one of the best defended

__ Tegions in the natign.

The development and obsolescence of
Fort Wadsworth fortifications illustrate
the measure/countermeasure evolution
of coastal defenses, as well as the erratic

; ’ political support for these. defenses and

the resistance of a large bureaucracy to _
rapid change.

The transformation of Fort Wadsworth -
from a military base to.a nonmilitary use.
represents. thé latest phase in our concept
of national defense — the decreased
reliance‘on domestic military bases for
national security. |

Geologic forces, especially the :
Pleistocene epoch. glaciers and the

‘formation of the Hudson River, created
.the natural environment that attracted

European settlers and provided ideal
locations for defense of New York © .
Harbor.

The Hudson River, with its associated.
éstuary and wetlands, provided both

transportation and sustenance, which led - .

to the growth and development of New

. York City, especially with its connection

to. the Erie Canal, as the nation’: s

: preeminent city.

The Narrows, located along, the glacial
moraine, is a constriction at the entrance
into the harbor that provided high
ground and an ‘ideal sité from which to

- defend New York Harbor.

Fort Wadsworth, with its splendid
panoramic views of Manhattan, the -

- Hudson River, Raritan Bay, and the .
. open ocean, provides a link between the .

largest city.in the country and the

natural marine environment.

Goals and’ Obstacles

Fort Wadsworth is within the Hudson-
Raritan Estuary, an area of diverse:
wildlife that offers new opportunities for
public involvement in learning about and
helping, to preserve the Hudson-Raritan’
estuarine ecosystem,

GOALS’ AND OBSTACLES

‘To provide a foundation for planning, the
team developed goals for managing Fort :
Wadsworth and, at the same time, identified
potential obstacles to attaining those: goals.
Resource Protection

Goal. Historic resources — presented in-a

_ inanner appropriate to the historic periods

being interpreted — are preserved, rehabil-

". itated, or otherwise protected, and their

further deterioration is abated. Site. mana-
gers, working with neighboring commun-
ities, provide a secure environment in which

. Visitors can enjoy the protected resources.

Obstacles. Historic stracturés are dispersed

throughout the fort; many are hidden from

-view. by landforms and vegetation. The

National Park Service must actively protect
these features from all potentially destructive
activities, such as illegal entry and vandalism
and destruction. of-vegetation. Additionally,
the National Park Service must minimize
any impacts-on the integrity of historic -
structures that are open to the public.

Vandalism and trespassing occur throughout
the site. The National Park Service must

ensure the security of tenants, visitors, and
staff ard their property. -

Visitor Experience

Goal. Innovative interpretive programming

provides a variety of site experierices that are

easily accessible to all types of visitors.

Visitors come away with a greater under-

. Standing and respect for the historical," .


WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

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70.


‘ THE PLAN

TABLE 1, COSTS. FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN

Construction ‘Project. } Total Project
. -Cosis* Planning Costs? Costs *
Fort Tompkins : . - - .
; lead paint abatement : . 5363,000 $45,000 $408,000
exhibit/film room 512,000 64000. |. 876,000 -
. exhibits and installation, . . . 2,116,000
- restoration of parade ground =” . "315,000 39,000° |. - 364,000
historic furnishings report, 7 37,000
"Battery Weed . : .
extend infrastructure : 4 200,000 . 25,000° | °° °225;000
. gatehouse restoration ~ 97000 * - 12000 +}. —. 109,000
roofs! ; . _ 123,000 15,000. 138,000
exhibits - . noe vo : ~. 448,000
historic furnishings report : : 37,000
Audiovisual presentation 180,000 18,000 198,000
Reproduction. Rodmans (exhibit) . 300,000
Dock/seawall improvements’. ~ 4,114,000 510,000 + 4,624,000
Batteries'stabilization “1,089,000 135,000 1,224,000
Historic structure report (Battery Catlin) . — 30,000
Mont Sec housing ae .. : .
windows = 212,000 26,000 238,000
accessibility improvements . . : 393,000 - 49000 442,000
renovate exterior of 11-114 - 290,000. | 36,000 326,000
“ renovate One building for exhibits. * 303,000 _ 38,000 341,000"
exhibits : “604,000
historic furnishings report ; : : 37,000
historic structure report for 111-114 - . : 30,000
Building 109 conversion, includes parking lot conversion? = 666,000 83000 749,000
Torpedo building : : : ;
reroof ’ fo. 73000 .f 9000 82,000 .
install toilets . 145,000 | * 13900: | "163,000,
preservation/rehabilitation : 303,000 38,000 _-_ 341,000
Building 352 conversion® . soe
{includes lift to second floor) . 115,000 14,000 129,000
Building 309 (stable) : 79,000 topo fF 89,000
exhibit 6,000
Demolition, including restoration plan, reseeding : ;
354/355 : : 182,000 “23,000 205,000
435A and BB - oa . : 103,000 -. 13,000. 116,000
Complete’ graffiti removal . 35,000 7,000 42,000
Paveinent removal at Range Road, replace with gravel * 182,000": 23,000 205,000
Building 210 rehab completion 2,133,000 426,000. 2,559,000
Parking - 173,000” 21,000 194,000,
Trail to different batteries ; 8,000 76,000.
301/305 rehab 16,000 147,000
Purchase of three shuttle vehicles : 350,000
a TOTAL COSTS . $13,681,000
Total site annual operating budget : . : * $5,700,000

a, Includes contingency and project management costs (net x 1.21, includes title 3 costs).

b. Includes advance and project planning costs (15% of net, indudes title 1 & 2-costs).
lc. To be provided through transportation grants (not included in total).

d. May involve concessioner /fanding participation for improvements. °

26



: Craig Cellar = Cultural Resources a

- Management Specialist, Denver Service ©

- Center...
. Felice S. Ciecione — ‘Curator, Gateway
“National Recreation Area:.. .
Christy Fischer — Writer’ Editor, NPS Denver:
» ° Service Center -

“Y Kevin Mendik — Outdoor Recréation Planned/

*.. Enyionmental Compliance, New England ~
--. System: Support Office
Christopher Schillizzi — Interpretive Planner,
Harpers Ferry Center/ Denver Service
Center -
. Mary Gibson Scott — “Team Captain’ ‘and:
; Project Manager/Superintendent, Staten .
: Island: Unit, Gateway, National. Recreation
Area :
Anne Shewell — Visual Inférination Specials,
“oDefwer Service Center
Marjorie Smith'— Landscape Architect, New |
‘ England System Support. Office

NPS 25 CONSULTANTS ;

“+ Michael Adlersiéiri Interim’ Assodiate:-Fidd

Director for Entrepreneurial , Development/ .
New York: Project Office Director, Northeast.
7 Field Area ;

Peter Bathurst — Cultural Resource Specialist,
_ Gateway National Recreation Area
Kevin Buckley — General Superintendent,
"Gateway National Recreation Area, . |

"GUS: GOVERNMENT PriivTING OFRCE:1995--e41-286

PREPARERS AND SonstanTs

{David Clark ~ —= Chief, Environmental,

Compliance, New England System. Support .
Office ..

Division of Cultural Resource Management,
New‘England System .Support Office

. Larry Gall — Interim Team Coordinator for

- Stewardship and. Partnership, New, England
System Support Office: *

“Robert J. Holzheimer — Chief of Development

. New. England System Support Office,
Lowell Cultural Resource Center... - .
Heth Nolan — Landscape Architect, New”
England. System Support Office ‘
Jeanette Parker — Assistant Superintendent,
Staten Island Unit, Gateway National
~ Recreation Area. :
Terry. W. Savage — Interim Superintendent,
New. England System Support Office
Lisa Skorupka — Writer/Editor, New... -
England System Support Office

| John Tanacredi, Ph,D., Chief, Natural

Resources Division,. m. Gateway National‘
Recreation, Area. :

OTHER CONSULTANTS

DHM, Inc. = Subcontractor, Denver Colorads
Goldman Copeland Associates —
Subcontractor, New York; New York
Langan Engineering and Environmental
Services — Subcontractor, Elmwood Park,
. New Jersey

._ OZ, Architecture — Prime Consulting,

Contractor, Denver, Colorado:



southwest part of the fort and may coincide _
with the earlier Doddman/Kingdom or other
properties. Remains of a series of signaling
‘beacons, reportedly iristalled in the. mid:
1750s, may also. survive. .

Limited archeological traces of the fort,
shoreline batteries, more beacons, a possible
‘redoubt, and other installations established
by the British between 1779 and ‘1783 niay
survive. The’ integrity of such resources is
‘likely to have been compromised by later
military construction, but their total removal:
is unlikely. No substantive new construction
was conducted on Staten Island as part of
the American First System seacoast fortifi-
cation program, and military archeological
", data from this period are unlikely to be
identifiable. Second System evidence, how-
‘ever, may survive in the form of buried: re-.
mains of the fortifications of the first Forts
Richmond, Tompkins, Hudson, Morton, arid
Smith, and other related support structures
— all of which emerged through a building
» program that extended from 1807 to at least
1817. -

* Later.redevelopment of the site has resulted
in the reconstruction or removal of these
features (for instance with the creation of -
Battery Weed oni the site of Fort Richmond),
but subsurface remains are still likely to be

. found. Portions of the Civil War North Cliff

- and South Cliff Batteries have been incor-
porated into later Endicott fortifications.
Thesé Endicott batteries are substantially
intact, and some reflect World War II era
modifications.

” ‘Numerous 19th century: residential proper-
ties were formerly in the southwestern and. -
western sections of the present-day fort that
were acquired by the U.S. Army during later
expansions of the reservation: Although :-

- some of these have been entirely.removed, at -

least one site from this period remains.

- Natural Features

Museum Collections’

The Gateway National Recreation Area
museum.collection; which is being moved to
building 210 of the Fort Wadsworth site
under the initial actions, is comprised.of .
artifacts from all three units of Gateway —
Jamaica Bay/Breezy Point, Staten Island, and ~
Sandy Hook. The objects in the collection
primarily relate to the ‘military aspects-of the
Gateway units. Among these items are arch _
eologica] and natural resource itenis, archi-
tectural drawings, architectural fragnients,
archives, furniture, firearms, i insignia, .
magazines, maps, medals, newspapers, Nike

_ missiles, personal adornment, photographs,

posters, projectiles, and’ uniforms.

Although most of.these items did not |

originate at Fort Wadsworth, most-of the
military items relate to coastal defense,
which.was the primary. mission of Fort ,
Wadsworth. The items that originated at.Fort
Wadsworth iriclude a 40,000-piece archeo-
logical collection, some signs, metal tracks;
architectural drawings, and. archives.

NATURAL. FEATURES

Vegetation

: Most of the site is covered by landscaped ;

areas — buildings, roads, parking areas, and
other impervious.surfaces — with'a small
amount of natural-area (such as fields,.forest
lands, wetlands, and tallgrass areas).

. Developed Areas. The lawns are primarily

Kentucky. bluegrass, arid foundation and

’ landscape plantings consist Primarily of

yews, azaleas, short barberry, and junipers.
Tree species are. predominantly red oak, pin

- oak, Norway spruce, and sycamore. The

overall condition of the-lawns, landscaping

.' materials, and‘trees are good. Many of the

foundation plantings have outgrown their
locations, some of the lawn-areas are rough, .
and many tree roofs are exposed. Mariy of

. the parking areas are unshaded.


". | WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES | -.

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60


vad This sectiori ‘describes the environment that

would bé affected. by implementing, the Plan
as described: above. .
CURTURAL FEATURES |

Historic Structures,

The historic resources at Fort i Wadsworth are

associated with the defense of New York: :

_ Harbor’ Fort Wadsworth itself (the site) was

“an integral-part of a seriés of harbor...”

fortifications that protected ‘the‘country’ ss
most:important port for more.than 200 years.

No longer-neceséary to the defense of the :
harbor or the country, Fort Wadsworth was

turned over to the U.S: Navy in:1987, and its.”

\ historic resources are expected to be’ ‘turned.
! ovér'to the National‘Park Service for
. interpretation and. preservation: (Seé *.
appendix B for’a complete list of structures
_-. on Fort Wadsworth.) The following is a
. description’of major:historic structures. .>,'°

Battery. Weed (Building 1 1

Fort Tompkins (Building 7. The extant:
» Fort Tompkins:is: constructed.on the same
> site’as-an earlier fortification built by the
" state of New York, Jt was begun in 1859 and.

completed in 1876. The five-sided structure.
has’ orie sidé-that faces the channel. The.”
granite’ walls.surround a ‘parade ground
counterscarp wall was constructed. on the
landward sides of the’ fort, but the-south ~
wall:no longer remains, having been :

"shortened by-the construction of Battery .
“Ruane. .

: The earliest, -

_ ‘Structure remaining in its entirety at the fort”
_-- is:Battery Weed,-begun in 1847 and'com- «

pleted’ between 1861 and’ 1864. The structure," ) -

’ a: half-hexagoni shape with a-central parade
-ground, was constructed of ashlar granite

* blocks. Tt has three tiers of casemates and.a *:
’ fourth barbette tier, each with. gun emplace- *

ments. Circular granite staircases of).
astonishingly perfect spirals. — provide »
access between tiers.-The battery juts out into .

ie the; watei.- In the center ‘of the landside



_ Federal Agencies / Officials.”

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ENEAIS OVOP PS TOE

SASNOdSaU .

SLNAJWAOD




rehabilitated and interpreted: to represent
their most recent period of historic
significance. These fortifications will be open
to visitors through rangérled tours.
Comprehensive educational exhibits and
programs will provide insights into thé
concepts.and miethods of coastal defense as
well as open a window into the lifestyles of
the fort’s historic occupants and the
evolution of its cultural landscape. ‘During
times of peak use, visitors will find

” costumed interpreters at select locations and
observe reenactments of historic events and
other interpretive programs.

In addition to the visitor center in building.
120, major projects include a-Fort Wads-

. worth museum in Fort Tompkins, a fur-
nished officer’s home on Mont Sec Averiue, .
outdoor educational exhibits, and. repro-

‘duced weaponry in’ a number of historic
. fortifications. .

The visitor ceriter will provide.an easily
accessible central location where visitors can
get information about the’ fort and its
significance, the major themes of the: fort,
and opportunities for additional learning
and exploration. ‘The museum will provide a
more in-depth educational experience and
allow visitors to examine objects, exhibits,

and other media relating to Fort Wadsworth

~ and coastal/ harbor defense.

Visitor access to the site: will. be improved
through the establishment of a ferry service
linking the fort to Manhattan and other
Gateway National Recreation Area units.
Access through the site will be improved by.
installing directional/orientation signs,
developing a bicycle path, and establishing a.
shuttle system that will operate during ti times
_- of high visitation.

New site recreational activities — dining at a
restaurant in the former officers’ club
building (109), a bicycle and pedestrian path
through the site, and public access to the
beach — will offer new opportunities to-site
visitors and résidents, some’ of which had
been available only to military personnel and

+ Impacts'on Cultural Resources

. their families, Swimming will continue to be

‘prohibited due to dangerous currents and

- poor water quality. Allowing kayaks and

other small watercraft to pull-up on shore
south of the bridge will also offer new
opportunities for recreation (however, no
docks or other facilities-will be provided for
pleasure boats).

IMPACT: Ss ON CULTURAL RESOURCES

“Effects on Historic Structures ;

. Work proposed for historic structures falls ’

within one of four categories: preservation, —
rehabilitation, restoration, or reconstruction.

* Preservation maintains thé existing
intégrity and character of the structure by
arresting deterioration. It includes both
maintenance and stabilization. : :
Rehabilitation improves the utility or -
function.of a historic structure, through
repair or alteration, to make possible a.
compatible contemporary use while
preserving those: portions or features that
are important in defining its significance.

- Restoration accurately presents the form,
features, and character of a historic
“structure as it appeared at a specific
period.

* Reconstruction entails: ‘reproducing the

form, features, and character of a’ -
nonsurviving historic, structure, orany
part thereof; as it appeared at a specific
time and place. .

Each of these’ treatments implies thatthe.
subject structure will survive into the future,

“that deterioration will be arrested; arid’ that

its significant features, will remain when the
work has been-completed. Each of these
treatments may result in the loss of hi historic
fabric.

Fort Tinpkins:" The rehabilitation-of Fort
Tompkins to provide adequate preservation
and allow visitor use and safety will result

in the loss of considerable deteriorated

historic fabric such as plumbing, electrical

39°


RESPONSES

The document has been revised to reflect the.statement that

other educational opportunities will include a partner-:

1

ble through |

pel or :
the Navy Lodge and/or the bed-and-breakfast operation.

Site managers will provide space.in the chapel and on the third

sponsored Elderhostel that may use spaces-in the cha
» ‘building 210 for classes. Lodging may be made availal

2,

floor of building 210 for community-based events and meetings. |

Individuals

COMMENTS...

Superintendent, Staten tsland.Unit

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H-gin hiss 28 sid, & Ee

83


ABEANBZHE

“OC bAMH



SUMMARY

Fort Wadsworth, on. Staten Island, New

~ York, is within the boundary. of the National -

Park Service’s Gateway National Recreation
Area. Fort Wadsworth is significant within’ -
the national context of coastal defense and
for the-protection it provided our nation’s
most important. harbor. The site represents
the evolution in. philosophy and technology
of American military strategy from 1794
through 1945, when technological advances
in weaponry rendered coastal defense a less
pressing military concern. ‘After 1945 the site

~~. illustrates the changing role of fornier.coastal

defense facilities through the Cold War and.
up until the wholesale base closures of the
1990s.

Fort Wadsworth was identified in the 1972
legislation that established’ Gateway National
Recreation Area..At that time Fort ;

- Wadsworth was an active military instal-
lation under the jurisdiction of'the U.S.
Army, and. the 1972 legislation stated that
Fort Wadsworth:would be transferred to the
National Park Service (NPS) when the. mili
tary vacated the site. After the U.S. Army
vacated the site, the U.S. Navy occupied the
site until-the naval station was decommis-
sioned in August 1994. The U.S. Navy still-

.. owns and has been managing the’site in a.
caretaker capacity since August 1994
pending transfer of portions. of the site.
Expectations are that in 1995 most of the site
will be transferred to the National Park

* Service arid some portions of the site will be
retained by units of the U.S. Army Reserve
and the U.S. Coast Guard. However, the
details of this transfer and the actual transfer
havé not yet taken place.

*. In 1979. the National ‘Park Service completed
~ a General Management-Plan for Gateway

National Recreation Area (NPS 1979). The plan
provides broad recommendations for Fort
Wadsworth and calls for moré detailed site
planning upon transfer of Fort Wadsworth.

.. from the Department of Defense tothe _
National Park Service. .

_In preparation for implementing the 1972 :

legislative directions and 1979 General
Management Plan. recommendations, the .
National Park Service has located the Staten

_ Island unit superintendent and a small

administrative and maintenance staff at the

site; and some funds have been delegated to
“the site to direct the planning and transition

efforts and prepare the site for initial visitor
use. After the transfer, the Park Service will
seek funding to do even more to make the
site available to visitors and preserve and
protect the resources, and plans ‘need to be
made for further protection, preservation,
and visitor use of. the site.

Towards this end, on July 28, 1995, a Draft
Site Management Plan | Environmental
Assessment was released to the public. This:
draft plan, which was available for formal
public review for 30 days, presented two
alternatives for long-range management and

“visitor use of. Fort Wadsworth and analyzed
. and ‘compared the potential effects of

implementing each alternative on the site
and neighboring communities. During the
review period, the National Park Service:
accepted written and oral comments on the
alternatives.

Comments and letters almost unanimously
supported alternative 1, the preferred.alter- .
native, in the draft plan. With slight modifi-
cations made to respond to and incorporate
public comments on the draft plan, alter-
native 1'was chosen by thé National Park
Service as the plan that will:be implemented.
This final plan, with modifications incor-
porated, is presented in this final Site. .

: Management Plan. This final plan provides

ifi-

policy diréction and guidance for visitor use,
cultural and ‘natural resource: management,
appropriate levels of development, and . -
operations at Fort Wadsworth for the next 20
years. Because it-was found that implemer- ~
tation of this plan ‘will not significantly affect
the environment, a fitiding of no‘significant
impact has been prepared (NPS 1995). The


“AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT : .

land drops gradually to the west to a flat.
level'surface that is approximately 100 feet-
above sea level; this flat land constitutes the
_Temainder of the site.

The geologic history: of the site shaped the ©

. development of the military's use of the
area. The Narrows and adjacent high ground
constitute the most significant geologic
remains of the last glacial period: These

__ types'of features are’ not often found in such
close proximity. It is the proximity of these

landforms that Jed the military to develop a

strong defense and deterrent capability,
which was effective because.no shot was.
~ ever fired in battle at Fort Wadsworth.

’ ASBESTOS, UNDERGROUND STORAGE
TANKS, AND HAZARDOUS WASTE

As part of the transition from a military
facility to'a national recreation area, the Park
Service and the U.S. Navy will address all
issues related to pollution abatement and
control As part ofthe work covered urider
the transition and initial actions, asbestos

‘abatement and control, hazardous, waste
cleanup, and the removal'of underground
storage tanks and soils will be accomplished

. primarily by the U.S. Navy..Problems
associated with such conditions or materials
will have been’ alleviated.

The New York State Department of Environ-
mental Conservation is overseeing the U:S.
Navy's current cleanup of hazardous sub-
stances, pollutants, and contaminants at Fort

* Wadsworth. The U.S. Navy's cleanup plans
must conform.to applicable federal and state
laws and regulations and must also be
approved by the Department of Environ °
mental Conservation. The National Park -
Service.is monitoring the .U:S. Navy’s
cleanup of hazardous substances, pollutants,
and contaminants...

. THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE

SOCIOECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
Transportation

The main street near Fort Wadsworth is Bay
Street, a two-way road that parallels the.
shoreline from the St. George Ferry terminal
on the north to Fort Wadsworth on the :
south. The area south of Fort Wadsworth is

~ connected to- Bay, Street by. Father

Capodanno Boulevard, which becomes
Lilypond Avenue near the Verrazano-

_Narrows Bridge toll plaza. The $51 bus route

tuns along Bay Stréet. through the fort, .

’ between the St. George Ferry terminal and
.Father Capodanno Boulevard, with stops

every few blocks. At St. George, the Staten
Island Ferry provides frequent services

| (20-30 minute’ intervals during daytime —

hours) between Staten Island and the South
Ferry terminal on Manhattan. There are also
numerous bus lines between different Staten
Island neighborhoods and St. George, as well
as frequent bus setvice between Fort "
Wadsworth (at the Bay Street/School Road
intersection) via Brooklyn to’ downtown
Manhattan.

Noise and Traffic

The predominant source of noise in the
vicinity of Fort Wadsworth is related to —

‘Lilypond Avenue, School Road, and: the

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

Morning (7-9 A.M.) and late afternoon (4-6
P.M.) weekday commuter traffic peaks occur

_ near the fort, specifically at Bay Street near

the St: George Ferry terminal and along
School Road. The: Verrazano-Narrows Bridge .
is estimated to support average weekday
traffic of approximately 180,000 vehicles
(1991).

‘Lanid Use | co

Portions of the site are to be used (after

_ transfer) by the National Park Service as a


Local Agencies / Officials

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78


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Please return to:
Planning and Professional

Services

LIBRARY

ORTH

RECREATION AREA

Vi

X.





‘THE PLAN

nishings-plans to guide placement of furnish-

ings in-historic structures. Of value for

future study would bé a contextual research
study of all New York City fortifications.

NPS OPERATIONS. AND
ADMINISTRATION |

Leasing

Currently, the National Park Service has
authority to lease historic.structures to others
through the Park Service's historic leasing
program. A bill has been.introduced in”
Congress that would authorize the Park
.Service to lease: nonhistoric structures to
tenants and.retain revenues generated from:
leasing within the park unit. Should this bill
become law, nonhistoric structures at Fort
~ Wadsworth will be leased for compatible
and appropriate uses. Site managers will
develop a-leasing management plan that
establishes appropriate criteria and suitable
-uses. The unit superintendent will manage
the lease program:

Offices/Museum Collection

Except for the installation of an access ramp,
the exterior of the,infantry battalion barracks
(building 210) will generally retain its
current appearance after rehabilitation. The

interior has been significantly altered during.
its history ‘and ‘will be totally redesigned for
administrative use. Some functions of
Gateway National Recreation Area and.
Staten Island Unit administration will be
moved to portions of building 210. Space

. will'also be used in this building for storing

. NPS offices. Space may be available to others

on a.reimbursable basis. The remainder of ©

: the building not rehabilitated-as part of the”

- initial actions (half of the second floor and:

all of the third floor) will be rehabilitated for
the above uses.

Housing

Homes on Mont Sec.Avenue not used for

‘interpretation, lodging, a restaurant, or other

visitor uses will be used to house permanent
military/NPS employees. New Mexico Court
structures.and buildings 118 and'119 will
also be used as permanent staff housing for

‘NPS employees. The playground (tot lot)

near New Mexico Court will be restored for
residents’ vise. The National Park Service will’
work with the Coast.Guard to accommodate
housing for NPS seasonal employees in the:
bachelors’. enlisted quarters.

Removal of Nonhistoric Structures

-. To reduce annual operating costs, several -

nonhistoric structures that are not easily

’ adapted for other purposes and ‘that are in

“fair to poor condition will be removed. These

structures include, but are’ not limited to,
buildings 354 (the police station), 355 (ammo .
storage), and 435A and 435B (housing).

* Before their removal, the Park Service will

Gateway’s museum collection and collections ©

management and curatorial staff offices; NPS
" training courses; conferences and meetings, ”
including both NPS and community. baséd;
natural resource laboratories and offices;
offices for the Interpretation and Community
Outreach and Planning and Professional
Services Divisions; offices for staff working
in the areas of cultural resources and natural
resources; a library; park archives; and other

develop a plan for the site that will include
recommendations regarding the restoration
of the landscape in these areas. _

Maintenance Facilities

Maintenance operations will be in the Seabee -
complex (buildings 301, 302, 303, 304, and

310). Recent siding materials will be ©

removed,.and. the original brick exterior will
be repaired ‘so that the buildings will recover
much of their historic appearance. The inter-_.
iors will be modified as necessary to

facilitate NPS use. Building 305 will be

_ Tehabilitated for use as offices for NPS
“. maintenance staff. Unde a permit from the

* 24



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BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

“finished in 1964. The bridge bisects the site’
and spans the Narrows, connecting £ Staten
Island to Brooklyn.

- Natural Features

The site’s major landform is a bluff that rises
from sea level to an elevation of 150 feet.
Battery Weed is at the toe of the slope, with
Fort Tompkins at the highest point. Wet-
‘lands exist along the confluence of the
uplands and the Narrows. Bordering the
Site’s eastern and southern edges is a natural
sandy béach. A diversity of native and non:
native vegetation has taken hold throughout
the site, with ages varying from recent
plantings to trees that are 150-200 years | old.

SIGNIFICANCE OF
FORT WADSWORTH

. Fort Wadsworth is significant within ‘the
“national context of coastal defense and

specifically for the protection it provided our

nation’s most important harbor. Coastal
defense, or more accurately the defense of
vital harbors, has been one of the most
persistent and: powerful themes of American
military history by any. measure of effort.
expenditure, and emphasis, .

The Fort Wadsworth site ‘epresents the
evolution in philosophy and technology of
coastal fortification systems in the United

* States from 1794 to 1945. Preliminary
archeological irivestigations indicate that
portions of Battery Turnbull date as early: as.
the 1840s and possibly as far back as

1808-10. The fort and site worked with other

fortifications in the area, including Fort ©
Hamilton, Castle Clinton, Fort Gibson, Castle
Williams, Fort Wood, Fort Hancock, and Fort
Tilden. Fort Tompkins and Battery Weed (on
the Fort Wadsworth site) are particularly
significant because they are remarkably well
- preserved. The other batteries and support
structures at Fort Wadsworth are valuable’ to

explain the interdependence and progression .

of various firearms and weaponry.

Although not considered nationally signifi:
cant, the ‘period from 1945 to 1994 is
important from an interpretive standpoint
because this period illustrates the changing
uses and fate of former coastal defense’

facilities through the Cold War.

Fort Wadsworth i is also One of the finest

“locations within the New York metropolitan

area to see and interpret the geography of
the harbor and the growth of the metro-
politan area. Finally, Fort Wadsworth is
unusual in that the property. has remained
intact and functional as a “community”
through numerous transitions of federal
agency ownership. A- more detailed descrip-
tion of the site’s significance and its place in
history is in appendix C in the draft plan.

SITE PURPOSE _

The purpose of the Fort Wadsworth site,
which was derived from an analysis of
Gateway National Recreation Area legisla-
tion and the fort’s resource values, is to

© preserve'and protect an area possessing
outstanding historical features for the
use and enjoyment of present and future
generations : .

* preserve and interpret the historical and:
cultural resources of Fort Wadsworth
that are associated. with U.S. coastal
‘defense systems :

* . preserve and interpret the site’s natural
history within the context of the
“Hudson-Raritan Estuary, a region of
interconnected human and natural
systems within the greater New York
metropolitan area

*  underscore-and ‘ensure the relationship
of Fort Wadsworth to the importance of: -
New York Harbor'and the growth of the
New. York metropolitan area


ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ©

standards for generators, transporters, and
disposers of hazardous waste. Any such
wastes generated or removed’ from the site
will be disposed of through NPS procedures,

: which are compatible with the act’ s
requirements.

Coastal Zone Management

Section 307 (C).of the Coastal Zone .
Management Act of 1972 as:amended (16
USC 1456[C]) requires that activities within
the coastal zone of a state that has an
approved coastal. zone ‘management program
must be certified by the sécretary of the
interior as being conducted’in a manner ..__
consistent to the maximum extent practical
with approved state coastal zone managée-
ment: The consistency determination will be
included in thé public record upon receipt:

. Full compliance will be made with the New
York City Waterfront Revitalization program
policies A through K and the New: York
State Coastal Zone Management program
policies 1 through 44. Based on the NPS
analysis of those policies, the implementation
of either alternative will not cause a .
significant adverse impact on the quality or
use of the coastal: zone ‘and will be consistent
with the objectives of the program. The plan
is compatible with protecting the coastal -
zone from erosion through the stabilization
of-existing structures in the coastal. zone.

In regard to stimulating economic develop-
ment along the waterfront and improving
public access, the establishment of a ferry
service direct to Fort Wadsworth is com-
patible with the program in that it will
provide for an important tourist destination,
will allow users to reach public shore areas
adjacent to the dock and Battery Weed, and
may alleviate some congestion of existing
services. The Park Service will contact’ the

~ state to be consistent with the’ coastal zone

management plan and will comply with state
regulations. .

STATE PERMITTING REQUIREMENTS -

During the design and construction permit:
ting process, the National Park Service will
contact the state's Public Information and ~
Permitting Office, a clearinghouse for the
various state offices, to determine application
procedures for state water pollution control,
underground storage tanks, utility siting, -

, and other permits. Compliance will be made .
_ with all applicable requirements. °

LOCAL REGULATIONS

The National Park Service. will work with the
Borough of Staten Island to determine how
local rules. and ordinances may apply to any
proposed activities. Compliance will be
made with all applicable requirements.

“50°:


APPENDDXES

86 Stat.] . PUBLIC LAW 92-593-OCT. 27, 1972 ,

* by a!

(5), three members to be appointed by the Secretary to represent
the general public. . .

(c)The Secretary shall designate one member to be Chairman, An’
vacancy in the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in whicl
the original appointment was made. co :

\(d) A member of the Commission shall serve without compensation
as such. Thé Secretary is authorized to pay the expenses reasonably
incurred by the Commission in carrying out its responsibility under
this Act upon vouchers signed by the Chairman. : .

(e) The Commission established by this.section shall act and advise
ative vote of a majority of the members thereof.

(£). The Secretary or his designee shall, from time to time, consult
with the members of the Commission with respect to matters relating
to the development of the recreation area. Co
» Sec. 5, ‘There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums
as.may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, but not
more than $12,125,000 for the acquisition of lands and interests in
lands and not more than $92,813,000 (July, 1971 prices) for develop-

1311

‘Chairman,

Expenses.

Appropriation.

ment of the recreation area, plus or minus such ‘amounts, if any, as .
_ may be justified by reason of ordinary fluctuations in the construction

costs as indicated
construction involved herein.

* Approved October 27, 1972.

92

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AnFecrED RONMENT ,

ae (wast) wall is a two-story guardhouse and
_ large door through which the’ battery is”

" entered. A moat originally.surrounded the

- battery, but it has beén filled in. Circa 1902 a‘
lighthouse and signal station were _
constructed on- the barbette tier of the
northeast bastion. Construction was
completed. i in 1908. :

Seawall and Dock. The seawall and dock

Mont Sec: Avenue (Officers’ Row) -
‘(Buildings - 101, 102, 103, 106, 107, 110-115

officers’ housing; 104, 105, 116, 117.garages). | a
Mont Sec Avenue was the officers’ housing.

for the fort beginning in the 1870s.and con
tinues to'the present day. There are.10 du-

"plexes and one single-family residerice. Four
- of the duplexes’ (111-114, built ca. 1890) are’ .-

‘ Italianate ‘in style, asbestos shingle over.the .)
original clapboard, and 2% stories. Building

are at the water’s edge just north of Battery ..”.

Weed. The L-shaped ‘dock juts out into the ©
» water. The seawall, which is in poor condi- °
“tion, follows the perimeter. of Battery Weed.

the moat that once surrounded the battery. :-

103 (ca. 1870s), a. duplex that-was originally

_ clapboard bit is now faced: with brick'with a.

\. The séawall. functioned as the exterior side of.

. Both the dock:and seawall are constnicted of *

_ granite blocks similar in: appearance to those
~ of Battery Weed. . :

_ Endicott Batteries Guildings x 133. Battery:
Duane; 155 Battery Catlin; 315- Battery
.. “Upton; 316 Battery Bacon; 316A Battery

imansard roof, was originally the captain's

and surgeon's quarters: Buildings 101, 102,-
106, 107, 110 (all duplexes), and. 115. are. brick, ©
struchires, that were constructed by the
Works Progress Administration in the 1930s.

+ Located’ behind the housés, the garages serve
, multiple structures: The avenue is a'scéne of

Turnbull; 316B Battery Barbour; 317 Battery: -

Hudson; 318 Battery Mills; 319. Battery Dix;

321 Battery Barry; 421 Battery Richmond;

and 422" ‘Battery Ayers} and 320 Command .
+ Post, These batteries. and'a command post

+ represent the Fourth System-of American

military defense. Made: of concrete; brick,

granite, and extensive earthen consttuction, :
| ‘these structures were a response: to the .

“failure of the Third System to defend against :
: the newly developed rifled, brick- ard: stones. -- .

"penetrating artillery. Visually, they have
nothing in common with the batteries and -°
forts they replaced. Many of these batteries

* featured breech-loading, disappearing guns
that were:designed ‘to protect-the. defenders

_ and that (when conipared to. the Third 8
System) “could fire projectiles that; caliber.

: for caliber, were four times as heavy to :

. effectivé-ranges two to three: times as great}

» and they could do'so with remarkably |’
increased: armor penetration ability and:
accuracy” (Lewis'1993, p. 76). The batteries
varied. in. the number of guns mounted,..
types of materials used, ‘and a Jength of
service.

continuity and visual uniformity, with 7
mostly brick structutes arid equal, repeated .
setbacks on both sides of the street...) -

" Building 109. Officers’ Club). Originally
_ constructed between 1871 and 1882, the

former officers’ club and later site head- °
quarters was demolished and. replaced in

 1988.-Today it ig a'1/-story structure witha. ~

large-columned porch area facing south. It is

. : currently the: naval caretaker’ 's ‘office.

Building 47 (Torpedo Storage Building).
-: This building is a long, -réctangulay, two- :

“story structure’with a gabled roof. The first: .
‘story is of rusticated granite, the second is -’

brick ‘It has metal windows and doors anda
corrugated roof and window. shutters.-It was

~~ 5 built into the hillside above Battery. Weed

and served as storage for the, “torpedoes” ‘or :
mines that-were used to protect the harbor.

“The building was gutted by't fire sometirne in’
the last two decades.

‘Building 210 (Infantry Battalion Barracks). ,

Building 210 was constructed in 1929 as a
three-story barracks ‘with four main

. “entrances and simple Art Deco detailing

along the facade. It is a long,.thin structure,
approximately 400.feet long and:40 feet

: deep. Enclosed porches were tucked in the.



ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Impacts on Utilities

Additional water and sewer connections .

_ associated. with restrooms:in the torpedo
building will not impact the:site because
they. will be buried. This connection will
have no impacts on water quality.

IMPACTS ON NPS OPERATIONS
AND ADMINISTRATION

With increased: staff and adequate onsite
maintenance facilities and staff housing, the
- site should be more easily and efficiently

managed. Adequate permanent staff housing”

will be onsite.

UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

This section outlines the primary unavoid-
able adverse environmental impacts that are”

. likely to result from implementing: the plan.
Where possible, mitigating measures that
offset these impacts to varying degrees are
presented. A number of mitigating measures

"have been incorporated into previous
sections.

Shoring the seawall will require the place

“ment of some’ fill in the form of pilings,

coffer dams, or other temporary support
structures. The permanent placement of |
cobble and boulder-protected riprap will
constitute filling; however, it will provide for
the long-term stabilization of the foundation
of Battery Weed. Any filling necessary in this

- work will not add to the aggregate amount
. of filled area. ~

The rehabilitation of the dock will require
the.removal of the free-standing timber piles

. but will retain the existing structural

footprint. Because these timbers have been in
place for a substantial length. of time, it is
possible that they.are saturated with hazard-

“ous compounds that accumulate in the sedi-
ments of most major harbors and river deltas

in highly urbanized areas. Sediments will
also be'disturbed, along with fish habitat. In
the process of removing any contaminated
materials, the Park Sérvice will comply with
the requirements of the Resource Conserva-
tion and Recovery Act and any other applic-
able requirements of. federal, state, and local _
laws.and regulations.


Service has contacted the Army Corps of
Engineers to see what permits are required.

: Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC
1344) is.triggered by the filling of 5,000 :
Square feet of wetlands and will require a
water quality certification by. the state
Department of Environmental Conservation.
The National Park Service will.obtain this

certification if the state determines that it is _

- required. (The National Park Service needs

. to determine if this threshold would be
reached by the dock aind seawall work. If so,
the review time.for such a: permit gives’ the
‘state Department of Environmental Conser-
Vation one year in:which to issue the permit.
Some states have policies allowing for expe-
dited review for reasons of public safety,
recreation, and certain improvements.)

Section 10-of the Rivers. and Harbors’ Act of
1899 (33 USC 403) requires a permit from the
Army Corps of Engineers for any activity in
a navigable waterway occurring below the
spring high tide.

Section 103 of the Marine Protection,
Research, arid Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (33
_ USC 1413) requires a permit from the Army
Corps of Engineers for transporting dredged
“materials and dumping them into the ocean
waters.

* Laws Related to’ Natural Resources

Executive Order 11990 (“Protection of -
Wetlands”) requires that all federal‘agencies
avoid, wherever possible, impacts’on.
wetlands. The National Park Service will
work with the Army Corps of Engineers and
the state Department of Environmental
Conservation to minimize any “impacts on
wetlands. ia

Fort Wadsworth is in a na siastiy class II -
clean air area. Under the Clean Air Act, as :
amended (42° USC 7401 et seq.), maximum. -

‘allowable increases of sulfur dioxide, partic:

ulate matter, and nitrogen oxide beyond:
baseline concentrations established for class
Tl areas cannot be exceeded. Although none
are proposed, these class increments allow
modest industrial activities within the-vicin-
ity of the site. During any. constriction or
restoration activities, the National Park
Service ‘will take all practical measures to
limit fugitive dust and noise. Section 118 of

. the Clean Air Act requires all federal facil-

The National Park Service will work with the -

Army Corps of Engineers throughout the.
permit process to ensure.that impacts on
navigable waterways are minimized and
accomplished through the use of the least
intrusive methods.

Executive Order 11988 (“Floodplain Manage-
ment") requires that all federal-agencies
avoid construction within the 100-year flood-
plain unless no other practicable alternative
exists. Construction activities on the dock

“and seawall, which involve providing higher
quality visitor access, improving safety, and
stabilizing historic structures, will occur
within the 100-year floodplain:

49

ities to’;comply with existing federal, state,
and local air pollution control laws and
regulations. The National Park Service will
work with the state to ensure. that.all site
activities meet the requirements of the -*
federal arid state air quality programs. ~~”

Section 7 of the Endangered Species.Act of
1973, as amended (16 USC 1531 et seq:)
requires all federal agencies to consult with
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
to ensure that any action authorized, funded,
or carried out by the agency does not jeopar-
dize the continued existence of listed. species

.oF critical habitat for such species. The

National Park Service has consulted with the
US. Fish and’ Wildlife Service pursuant to
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and.
has received correspondence from that
agency to the effect that the proposed initial .
actions would not jeopardize the habitat or
the continued existence of the peregrine
falcon.

The Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (42 USC 6901) and the implementing
tules promulgated: by the Environmental
Protection Agency establish performance


; Pon we tuk aye

Vance’
a KG

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aN

y wang
NF

a -
The National Park Service will comply with” public review guidance. However, 516”

_ all applicable federal executive orders, Departmental Manual section 3.3 A. and B.
federal,.state, and local-laws, regulations, “ :allows for the scoping process for an
and ‘policies in-implementing the plan. The __ environmental impact statement (as
laws and regulations:set out in this section ., contained in 40 CFR section 1501.7) to be ~

, may or may not apply to the actions - applied to an environmental assessment and
outlined in the document. To the extent such .- " allow for public involvement in the environ-

~ laws and regulations are applicable, the mental analysis process (as contained in 40 -

+ appropriate permits will bé obtained and ©. “ . CFR section 1506.6). The Draft Site

"strict compliance with their terms willbe | Management Plan / Environmental Assessment

maintained. by the National Park Service. meets: NEPA and NPS informational
: : a : requirements, and..the. Park Service has’
r : provided for public review and input as
COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL "further described in’the “Consultation and_
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT. | - Coordination” section of this document.

~ The National-Environmental Policy Act’ oo . _
(NEPA) of 1969, as amended, ‘does not ” LAWS RELATED TO
contain specific timé requirements for public || . CULTURAL RESOURCES
review, nor do the Council on Envirore

mental Quality NEPA regulations (found at’. One of the National Park Service’ 's mandates
40 CFR:1501 et seq.) Section 3 of 516 is ‘to preserve and protect its cultural
Departmental Manual outlines the proceduiés ' ~ resources — through the organic act of

for environmental assessments but‘also does August 25, 1916, that established the

not provide specific time requirements or .” National Park Service and through specific

45



: WRITTEN. COMMENTS AND RESPONSES.

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national park area, by. the U.S."Army Reserve
as a training facility, and' by the U-S. Coast'”

Guard as housing and officés. The surround- -

ing community consists of single-family
homes, apartment buildings, and condomin-
~ jum complexes.-A’ number of small-‘to
“moderate-sized conimercial establishments.
* are’ near the site.

Utilities

The site is served by existing utilities,
including water, sewer, gas, and. electrical
lines.

Visitor/Resident Use

Past Use/Visitor Experience. As a military” -
base operated by the U.S. Army-and the-U.S.
_Navy, visitor use has not been of primary
° importarice inthe operation of Fort Wads-,
worth. The-base’s open spaces (lawns,
woodlands, and beaches) and the con-
structed recreational facilities (gymnasium ©
and theater) were primarily. for the-use of
the military personnel and their families.
Public.access to the fort has varied widely
during its long history, often based on
America’s state of war or peace and the
perceived military role of the fort. Guide-
books from the late 19th:century tout Fort
Wadsworth as “a good place to go for a
summer’s jaunt.” Visitors: were allowed to
stroll the fort's paths and picnic on its bluffs,
watching the ships pass through the
Narrows. Scenic-viewing was then, as now,
. One of the most important recreational
* activities on the fort. Other important
recreational activities on the -base included
lawn tennis, ocean swimming; and saltwater
fishing (which has ‘frequently been recorded
as outstanding). . : ;

Public educational use of Fort Wadsworth

“+ greatly increased when, in 1966, the U.S. ° -

Army created’the Fort Wadsworth Museum
in a portion of Fort Tompkins. Interest in
this museum was. demonstrated by the atten-
dance at the opening ceremony.of more than

The Neighborhood and the Socioeconomic Environment

1,500 people. The museum was open five
days a week. Interpietation at the museum
examined the history of Fort Wadsworth,
harbor defense, historic engagements of the’
U.S. Army, and the Army’s and the fort’s
role in the New York area. Military histor-
ians working for the U.S. Army provided a
limited menu of ‘educational programs.to
many school and organizational groups. The
U.S. Army operated the museum. until 1979
when most of its artifacts and displays were

- moved to the new Harbor Defense Museum
at Fort Hamilton across the Narrows.

Beginning in Jate 1979, the National Park
Service began operating the significantly.
diminished ‘museum in Fort Tompkins in
anticipation of the transfer of the base from
the U.S. Army to the Park Service iri October
1980. During their one-year tenure of the
historic core of Fort Wadsworth during this
transitional. period, NPS rangers developed
new interpretive programs, leading dozens
of school groups and numerous other visi- -
tors through the historic fortifications.
Evening compare Programs were highly -
attended:

With the departure of the Park Service in -
1980 and the subsequent transfer of the. base
to the U.S. Navy, visitor access to.the fort
was severely curtailed. Except for'the occa-
sional historic reenactment program or the
staging of large recreational events, such as
the New York City Marathon, visitor access
to.Fort Wadsworth has remained limited.

Current Recreational Use. The beach and
upland portions of the property are currently .
used by military personnel and their families

_for unstructured recreational activities,
“incliding picnicking, walking, birding,
. biking, kife flying, and informal athletic

activities. The beach and jetty are used for

’ shore fishing, but the-jetty’s outer end is in.

disrepair. There are tot Jots throughout .the
housing. area. One softball field ‘is used for
football and soccer. There is one ‘tennis.court, .
a handball court, and a picnic area.


_ Site Manigenicat Plan
Environmental Asséssment

Povesiber 1995

FORT WADSWORTH

‘GATEWAY eae HECREATION AREA / NEW YORK“NEW JERSEY

dg:

ATIONALP




‘WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES.

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pue doeds Aytunurw0d ayy Sursn asou} se [aM se suontsod yye}s
‘Mau pue Suysixa sapnpul sty] “slaayunjoa pue.jjeIs SIN OOS
ey ayy Jey Sayed—ynue arfasas ye
ray Jau ay} UL papnpxe st YT

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‘aoeds ajqejiene yau jo aay arenbs Qgg'zg noge'sey 017 Supiing ;

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62


ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

ACTIONS REQUIRING FURTHER SHPO Review

AcTIONS Not REQUIRING
FURTHER REVIEW (letters refer to
specific exclusions in the”

Battery Catlin

“+ Rehabilitate Battery Catlin for limited visitor

use

programmatic agreement)

Batteries Duane,
Upton, Barry,
Barbour, Hudson,
Richmond, Bacon,
Mills, Ayers, Dix,
Turnbull, Command
Post

“Preserve present appearance

(exclusion a).

Mont Sec. Avenue

Building 109

+” Remove shingle siding on buildings 111-114-
and restore original siding

Install access ramps where necessary
Rehabilitate structure interiors to allow
proposed uses

* Install new street lighting

Rehabilitate structure interior for a restaurant
Insiall access ramp
Add kitchen to sear of building

Torpedo Building ”

* Install restroom facilities in the ground level on
the south end

* Install adequate plumbing and wastewater
‘removal system

* Install new roof

Stable (Building 309)

* Rehabilitate for site police horses and dogs

Building 352 -

Remove nonhistoric siding and rehabilitate
Rehabilitate interior for a restaurant

Seabee Complex

* “Remove nonhistoric siding and rehabilitate for -

Buildings 120, 210,
Mont Sec Avenue

site operations and maintenance use

Preservation maintenance
“(exclusion a)

Buildings 140, 339, Preservation maintenance
and ‘406 (exclusion a)
Range Road work * Rehabilitate road
Grounds Routing grounds muiritenance
“(exclusion b)
LAWS. RELATED TO Federal Laws and Executive Orders
NATURAL RESOURCES * . . 7

The following section attempts to outline
permits that may be required. Other permits
that are not listed: below may also be

required. The Park Service will apply for and -

comply with all necessary permits and Tegu-
lations that may be required..

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 USC
1344) requires that any activity involving
dredging or filling in U.S.-waters or in.a
federally protected wetland must obtain a
permit from, the‘U.S. Army Corps of Engi-
neers before beginning the activity. The Park


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Clary, David A.
“" 1990 Fortress America the Corps of Engineers
- Hampton Roads and U.S. Coastal Defense.
University ‘of Virginia Press, .
Charlottesville, VA.

Black, Frederick R. .
1983. See National Park Service.

Gilmore, Russell S. .
1983 Guarding America’s Front Door. Fort
.., Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY.

Langan Engineering. and Environmiental
Services :
1995 Draft Dock/Seawall Evaluation, Fort
Wadsworth. Copy available through

superintendent, Staten Island Unit, NY. ,

Lewis, Emanuel Raymond: :
1993 Seacoast. Fortifications of the United States,
‘Naval Institute Press,. Annapolis, MD.

Margi Environmental-Group, Inc.
1994 Draft Environmental Assessment for -

Proposed Building and Land Acquisition at
- Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, New York.
Prepared.for U.S. Army Reserve
Command, Atlanta, GA. Copy available
through superintendent, Staten Island ”

© Unit, NY. .

Robert E: Myers and Frederick B. Gafney. ”
1992 Sée Soil Conservation Service. : |

National Park Service,:U.S. Department of the
Interior :
1978 Gateway National Recreation Area . .
Interpretive Prospectus, New York —-New
. Jersey. Copy available through
" superintendent, Staten Island Unit, NY. .

Final General Management Plan].
Environmental Impiact Statement for
Gateway National Recreation, Area. Copy
available. through superintendent,

» Staten Island Unit, NY.

1979

» 1995

1980 Final Resources Management Plan, .
Gateway National Recreation Area. Copy *
available through superintendent,
Staten Island. Unit, NY.

1983 A History of Fort Wadsworth, New York
Harbor, by Frederick R. Black. Division
of Cultural Resources, North Atlantic
Regional Office. Copy available

| through superintendent, Staten Island

- Unit, NY.

Interpretive Prospectus, Gateway National
._. Recreation Area, Staten Island Unit, New

. York. Harpers Ferry Center: Copy .
available through superintendent,
Staten Island Unit, NY.

1992

“Finding. of No Significant Impact.” .”
» NPS New England System Support

Office. Copy available’ through

superintendent, Staten Island Unit, NY.

New York City Department of City Planning -

and New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection, Division of Coastal Resources
1991, .New York/New Jersey Harbor Estuary
* Water Use Management Study. Copy. -.
available through, superintendent,
Staten Island Unit, NY.

New York City ‘Department of City Planning
1992 New York City Comprehensive Waterfront
Plan: Reclaiming. the City’s Edge. Copy”
* available through-superintendent, <
Staten Island Unit; NY: ~

A Greenway Plan for New York City.
Copy available through superintendent,
Staten Island Unit, NY. -

1993

New York State-Department of Environmental
Conservation . . .
nd. New York State Air Quality
Implementation Plan. (NOTE: Plan is
periodically updated.)

97





This section of the. ‘document describes. the
. Park Service's approved plan for visitor use
and NPS management of Fort: Wadsworth.

‘The final plan identifies general directions
for site management and: offers building-
specific actions. The building:specific actions.
should be considered with flexibility, subject
to futtiré funding scenarios, new infortha- _
tion, and unforeseen circumstances. Any
“modifications to the building-specific actions,
. however, must adhere to applicable laws

and.NPS policies and :-have. minimal negative
impacts « on site. resources. “.-

“CONCEPT”
Fort Wadsworth is significant within the :

specifically for.the protection. it provided ‘our
..\ nation’s most important harbor. The’site

". represents the evolution in philosophy arid ,
technology of American coastal defense
strategy from the 1790s to 0.1945 when

Seah, ofthe Pre say we foo
—s yOS ls

ote T

technological advances in weaponry ‘

. |, rendered coastal -defense:a less pressing
military coricerti, The ‘site also illustrates. the

military strategy of these former coastal
defense facilities in meeting the challenges of

the Céld War from 1945 through the 1980s.

The plan. features Programs, services; and

management actions that are designed to
., facilitate interpretation , of this s.important
. Story.” . .

To enhance’ visitor’ understanding Of the.

site’s past, all major fortifications ‘will be”

preserved, rehabilitated, or restored’ and’
’ interpreted to repregent their most Tecent :
. period of ‘historic significance. This will :
~ allow, cultural resource management and”
_ interpretation to embrace the’ most.notable
. developments in the evolution of the
. National coritext of coastal defense; and ws

fortifications and. ail. Significant aspects of

“coastal and’ harbor defense, including the

Nike missile period.

“To Bring to life the stories of Foit =

Wadsworth, educational exhibits ard’


As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our
"nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering wise use of our land and water

’ résources, protecting out fish and wildlife, preserving the environmental'and cultural values of our national parks

‘and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The department assesses
out energy and mineral resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interests of all our

* people. The department also promotes the. goals of the Take Pride in America campaign by encouraging stewardship
‘and citizen responsibility for.the public lands and promoting citizen participation in their care, The department also
has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for péopie who live in island territories
under U.S. administration. . foe vos

NPS D-200A / Noveriter 1995



ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED

recreational facilities-and opportunities.

available elsewhere in the Staten Island Unit *

and at other units of Gateway National

Recreation Area. Potential activities and

support facilities examined included ballfield

~ sports, swimmitig, fishing, musical and

theatrical performances, horseback riding
‘and stables, community gardens, and formal
picnic areas.

. The use of Fort Wadsworth for active recrea-

* tion would be incompatible with the purpose
of preservirig and interpreting the fort’s
significant. historic’and cultural resources.
Few recreational facilities exist, and there‘are
no suitable locations for additional develop-
ment of facilities or for parking areas. Open
unstructured space is scarce — the site is
dense with historic military architecture,
administrative support buildings, and’
housing. Where space is arguably present, its

proximity to structures makes active recrea~

.tional-use problematic and impractical.
Swimming is not appropriate due to
“dangerous currents.

Under the approved plan, parking for people

who fish-will be accommodated on a permit
basis where it doés:not impact the historic
resources. Also, the existing ballfield will
continue to.be used as’ such but will be
managed for Fort Wadsworth residents by
‘the U.S..Coast Guard. Unstructured recre- *.
‘ational activities that currently exist will be
allowed to continue, and facilities will be
improved-as described in the plan. For many
years, the staging and start of the New York
Marathon has occurred at Fort Wadsworth
— and this will continue under the plan and

would have continued under alternatives 2

and 3. Furthermore, Gateway: National

Recreation Area.and the Staten Island Unit

provide a wide diversity of recreational

opportunities — far greater than what could
. be supported at Fort Wadsworth.

ALTERNATIVE 4 — FORT WADSWORTH
AS A NATURAL HISTORY SITE ~

The natural resources of Fort Wadsworth
have been profoundly impacted by nearly
two centuries of human development,

_ including a marked growth.in the built

“environment during the late 1980s. "

Research has tincovered no significant floral

“or faunal populations. Many.of the natural

features of the site that survived military
activities were forever altered by the
construction.of the Verrazano-Narrows

’ Bridge. and access roadways.

‘The geological story is integral to under- ;

standing the military significance of Fort
Wadsworth and will be interpreted’ in the

~ plans educational exhibits and programs —

in particular atthe visitor center and: at__
various locations where the military
importance of the physical features is clear
(such as the steep slope below Fort
Tompkins). Other sites within Gateway
National Recreation Area and the Staten

‘Island Unit, particularly Great Kills Park,,

provide substantially better opportunities to
communicate the important natural history
themes of Gateway National Recreation Area
and the natural resource preservation
‘mission of the National Park Service:

USE OF THE MONT SEC
AVENUE HOMES ;

In both alternatives 3 and 4 above, con-
sideration was given to’using Mount Sec’ .
‘homes for office space, but this idea was
rejected. because of the lack of space for

‘parking and the desire to preserve the

* residential character of the neighborhood.

28


CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION.

COMMENT

. RESPONSE

‘Let 1/2 of the ave(nue) be
developed by private interests. The
other 1/2 be left in a natural state:
Ensure in the agreement with the
“private interest” to fund any

| improvements to the “natural”
chalf. © .

As proposed in the plan, the northern portion of Mont Sec Avenue
will be operated privately through a concession agreement with the
National Park Service. As part of that agreement, the coricessionet -
would be responsible for somé iiprovements (if not all) to be made
to, the houses to accommodate bed-and-breakfast,use. This will be
determined through’ feasibility study process to be conducted’ by.
the National Park Service. The south side of Mont Sec Avenue
would continue as primarily residential use, with the exception of
one building, which wilt be used for interpretation, and building
115, which ‘will be made available on a permit basis for conferences
or special occasioris having thematic relationship to the fort.

A compromise between Alt. 2 and
Alt. 3. For example overnight tent
camping, public boating (rental
operator) for ski jets, canoes,
sailboats — other waterfront
activities. This may be a leased”
commercial-venture. |

As noted above, water-based activities such as jet skis, boat rentals,

‘ etc., would not, be possible given the limited site and the conditions

of the currents adjacent-to the fort. °

It would probably be more feasible
-if done in stages. Money is tight.

Funding for implementing the plan would necessarily be phased
‘over time.

for-a small group of homeless who
could be employed in businesses,
etc, could help them reorganize
their lives’and re-enter society.

Elder hostels, youth hostels, centers"

On the portion of land Slated for NPS ownership, there are no build-
ings that remain that could support a youth hostel. If additional
buildings are made‘available to the National Park Service, this
concept will be reexamined. Regarding an Elderhostel, the plan has ”
been revised to reflect that other educational opportunities may
include a partner-sponsored Elderhostel, which may.use spaces in
-building 210 or the chapel for classes. Lodging space may possibly
be available at the'Navy Lodge and bed-and:breakfast operations on
Mont Sec Avenue: Regarding the provision. of housing for the home-
less, that is not within the NPS mission nof is it consistent with the
purpose of the site.

| Allow portions of the coast-for
earth science lab experiments. This.
project would involve the Urban
Park Rangers and N:Y.C. high
school science students. Studies
could be formulated in ocean-
ography, erosion arid depésition,
soil and sand studies, coastal
preparation for the unexpected,
and studies concerning the marine
habitat of Staten Island. All-studies
could relate to pollution arid the

- quality of marine life.

The proposed uses are consistent with the intent of locating,
parkwide natural resource staff and laboratories onsite in building
210. Thése and other elements would be included in interpretive and
educational programming, as detailed in the interpretive themes
identified’in this document (pp. 8-9). .

Go for the greatest utilization
possible — something for
everyone, The need is immense in
urban aréa plus you are the only
agency that knows how to run
something like this.

The ‘entire’site known as Fort Wadsworth is proposed. for listing on
the National-Register of Historic Places for its historical significance;
currently, two structures are on the national register — Battery
Weed and Fort Tompkins. The National Park Service was entrusted
with the fort because of this significance. With limited resources, it
is important that the National Park Service focus its. activities and
funding on the interpretation and. preservation of the fort’s cultural
and natural resources.

54



. WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

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THE PLAN, -

stabilized, preserved, and used for.
appropriate sité-related purposes.

OTHER ’SITE RECREATIONAL
OPPORTUNITIES

Although this‘alternative does not focus on
iricreasing Onsite recreational opportunities,
such uses as walking, birding, biking, kite
flying, structured exercise activities, and.
other informal athletic activities will be
available to the public; currently they are
only available to military personnel and their
- families. Dining at the restaurant (former”
officers’ club) will be a new opportunity for
residents, visitors, and, the community.

Fishing will.be allowed. Permits will be
required for those.who wish to park vehicles
near.specified fishing access points (the
picnic area and along the old Range Road).

residents. Group picnicking for visitors will
be continued primarily at Miller Field.

Indoor concerts, lectures, theater perform-
ances, and other small community-based
cultural activities will be allowed in the
chapel (building 203) and on the third floor
of building 210 under a special use permit,
possibly on a reimbursable basis: Other
educational opportunities will include a .
partner-sponsored Elderhostel, which may
use spaces. in building 210 and the chapel for
classes. Lodging ‘may be made available in
support of the Elderhostel in either the Navy
Lodge‘or concession-run bed-and-breakfast
operation. ©

Site managers will evaluate the feasibility of

- holding outdoor performances.and pageants

Those who wish to hand carry fishing equip- :

“ment to the site without a vehicle willbe _
-allowed to fish during daylight hours.
without a permit. Night fishing will be
accommodated via vehicle permit and sign-

: in at the main gate.

Public access to the beach will be allowed.

, Swimming will be prohibited due to the
dangerous currents ‘and the poor water -_

. quality of the Narrows. Kayaks and other
small craft such as rowboats will be allowed
to pull up an shore south of:the bridge;
“however, no docks or other facilities will be
provided specifically for pleasure boats.
Visitors will be directed to use established
paths and roadways and will be directed
away from wetland areas to avoid trampling
the sensitive vegetation. Only passive —
recreation willbe permitted-in the eco-
logically sensitive (wetland) areas of the.
beach and adjacent area. New signs indica-
ting’ an ecological reserve will include
information relative to natural features,
vegetation, and wildlife.

The baseball field will be operated by the
Coast ‘Guard for use by site residents. The
picnic area will primarily be for use by site

behind. the chapel (where noises from the
bridge are least intrusive): If outdoor per-
formances prove to be unintrusive to area
residents, site managers may allow such
outdoor performances-to occur under a per
mit. Permit authorization will be evaluated
based on the compatibility of the proposed
activity with the scale. of available facilities,
with residential uses, and with the interpre-

- tation and preservation of Fort Wadsworth’s

resources. Special use permits may be :
granted c ona reimbursable basis.

Reenactments will be allowed by special use
permit, consistent with other visitor use.
activities. Gun demonstrations will require
preapproval by the unit superintendent to
ensure that proper.safety regulations will be
followed and that the demonstrations will be
consistent with the fort's interpretive pro-

os gram: In keeping with Gateway National

Recreation ‘policy, the placement of |
additional monuments will be prohibited.

“The National Park Service will work with

New York City planning officials to complete
the city’s proposed bicycle route connection *
from South Beach to the New York Avenue
gate via USS Carolina and New York
Avenue. The Fort Wadsworth route will con-
nect two existing bicycle routes on Staten

Isiand.. A dangerous portion of an existing

22


APPENDDXES

an adequate interest in the area depicted on the map referred to in

8 Stat.) PUBLIC LAW 92-592-OCT. 27, 1972

(b) With the concurrence of the agency having custody thereof, any ‘x,
Federal property within the boundaries of the recreation area may be
transferred, without consideration, to the administrative jurisdiction.
of the Secretary for administration as a. part of the recreation area.

(c) Within the Breezy: Point. Unit, (1) the Secretary shall acquire

1309

Federal property
ansfer,

Breezy Point: *
Unit,

‘section 1 of this Act to assure the public use of and access to tlie entire: ‘-

beach, The: Secretary.may enter into an agreement with any propert;

“owner or owners to assure the continued maintenance-and use of all

remaining lands in private ownership as a:residential community com-

posed of single-family dwellings. Any such agreement.shal] be irrevo-

cable, unless terminated by mutua!

among other things : ° :

. (A) that the Seoretary may designate, establish and maintain.
a buffer zone on Federal lands separating the public’ use area and
-the private community; a ,

“B) that all construction commencing within the community,
including thé conversion of dwellings from seasonal to year-
round residences, shall comply with standards to be established
by. the Secretary ; ° . :

(C) that additional commercial establishments: shall be per-
mitted only with the express prior approval of the Secretary: or
his ‘designee. _ JS oo ~ .

(2) If a valid, enforceable agreement is executed pursuant to para-
graph (1).of this subsection, the authority of the Secretary to acquire
any interest in the property subject to the agreement, except for the
beach property, ‘shall be suspended. .

(3) ‘The Secretary is authorized to accept by doriation from the city ing tot,
of New York any right, title, or interest which it holds in the parking ence.

lot at Rockaway which is-part of the Marine Bridge project at Riis .
Park. Nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the United States
to extinguish any present or future encumbrance or to authorize. the
State of New York or any political subdivision or ‘agency thereof to
further_encumber any interest in the property so. conveyed. .
(d). Within the Jamaica’ Bay Unit, (1) the Secretary may accept

agreement, and: shall specify, _

Rockeway, park
onveye

Jamaica Bay

title to lands donated by the city of New York-subject to a retained “"'*

-right to continue.existing ‘uses for a specifically limited period of time

if such uses conform to plans agreed to by the Secretary,-and (2) the
Secretary may accept title to the area known-as Broad Channel Com-
munity only. if, within five years after the date.of enactment of this
Act, all improvements have been removed from the area and a clear
title to the area is tendered to the United States.

Sec. 3. (a) The Secretary shall administer the recreation area in
accordance with the provisions of the Act of August 25, 1916 (39 Stat.
535; 16 U.S.C. 1, 2-#), as-amended and. supplemented. In-the admin-
istration of the recreation area the Secretary may utilize such statutory
authority available to him for the consérvation and management of
wildlife and natural resources-as he deems appropriate to carry out the
purposes of this Act: Provided, That the Secretary shall administer

€

- and protect the islands and waters within the Jamaica Bay Unit with |,

the primary aim of conserving the natural resources, fish, and wildlife
located therein and shall permit no development or use of. this area
which is incompatible with this purpose. :

(b) The Sccretary shall designate the principal visitor center con- ,
Center” in commemoration of the leadership and contributions which ©
Representative William Fitts Ryan.made with respect to the creation
and establishment of this public recreation area. .

90

Broad Channel
‘ommunlty.

Adminiatration,

Witllam Fitte
yan Vieitor

‘structed within the recreation area as the “William Fitts Ryan.Visitor Center, designs- ”

lon.


In 1979 the Natiorial Park Service completed
a General Management Plan for Gateway
“National Recreation Area (NPS 1979). The ‘plan

. provides broad recommendations for Fort
Wadsworth and calls. for more detailed site
planning upon transfer of Fort Wadsworth
from the Department of Defense to the
National Park Service. :

In.preparation for implementing the 1972
legislative directions and_1979 General
‘Management Plan recommendations, the Park
Service has located the Staten Island Unit
superintendent and a small administrative |
and maintenance staff at the site, and some
funds have been delegated to the site to

 direct'the planning ’and transition efforts and.

prepare the site for initial visitor use. The

:. National Park Service’is undertaking a

number of initial actions at the site to guide
stabilization of historical.and cultural

“resources, ensure. appropriate: development

. Of interpretive facilities, and establish visitor
services to allow the public to use and enjoy
the site until further plans (described below)
éan be developed. These actions are detailed

in the later “Initial Actions” section. Because .

these initial actions would have’ no signifi-
cant impacts, an environmental assessment
or an environmental impact statement ‘is not
neéded for-these actions (see appendix B in
the. Draft Site Management Plan{ *
Environmental Assessment). :

* After-the transfer and initial actions have
been:completed, the Park Service will seek.”
funding to do more to improve interpreta-
.tion and educational programs, make more
of the site available to'visitors, and preserve
and protect the resources. Plans need to be
made for accomplishing this further visitor

_use and protection and preservation of the:
resources. :

Towards this end, a Draft Site Management
Plan'/ Environmental Assessment was prepated
and. released for a 30-day public review on
July 28, 1995. This draft plan presented two
alternatives for long-range management and
visitor use of Fort Wadsworth and compared
and analyzed the impacts of implementing

” Site History

each alternative. Alternative 1.in.thé draft
plan, the Park Service's preferred: alternative,

was almost unanimously supported by the

public, through comments at public meetings

.and in letters. Alternative 2, which was

_ mostly a continuation of existing trends after

* the ‘completion. of the initial actions, was not .
|. supported. See the draft plan for a full

description of alternative 2'and its impacts.

. The National ‘Park Service has decided that

alternative 1 in the draft plan, with slight-
modifications to respond to public com-
ments, will be the plan that will be imple-
mented at Fort Wadsworth. Because imple- |
mentation of this plan will not cause
significant impacts on the environment, a
finding of no significant impact has been
prepared (NPS 1995). This final Site
Management Plan-describes the approved

. plan, with the modifications included, for °
- management and visitor use of Fort”

Wadsworth and the impacts of implementing’.
the plan. The plan will be implemented over

‘the next 20 years as funding and other

contingencies’ allow, -

SITE HISTORY. :

A number of campsites dating from the .

Archaic Period (ca. 6000 - 1000 B.c.) are
known in the ‘northwestern portion of Staten’

- Island, although none have been found in

the vicinity of Fort Wadsworth. Just south- -
west of the fort boundary, an early’ .

* Woodland camp (ca. 1000 B.c:.— A:D. 1600)
_ has been documented. That the Fort. Wads-

worth property was occupied by. Native
Americans seems without question, particu-
larly with the excellent views of the upper
and lower bays afforded. by the headland. -
However, insufficient archeological evalua-
tions have been undertaken on the site to

‘verify this assumption.

Fort Wadsworth is one of the oldest military
installations in the nation. The site occupies

226 acres. on the northeastern shore of Staten
Island on the Narrows of New York Harbor.
The NPS portion-of the property will consist


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-Contents
Environmental Compliance 45
Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act 45.
“Laws Related: to Cultural Resources 45. .
Laws Relatéd to Natural Resources 48 :
_State Permitting Requirements’ 50
Local Regulations .50 :
Consultation and Coordination 51.
. Appendixes
A: Enabling Legislation 89
- .B: List-of Structures 93

Bibliography 97.”
Preparers and Consultants 99
“Maps
Region 2
The Plan 19
“Tables —

1. Costs for Implementing the Plan 26 -
2. Cultural Resource Section 106 Compliance Requirements for Plan Undertakings 47

vii


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‘CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

COMMENT

RESPONSE -

Let(’s) see the fort become a learn-
ing place — 1. college campus, 2.
“student exchange, 3: culture center.

Allocate a portion of the area for
scientific experiments in earth
science. Use a portion of housing
space for science exchange -
students. Reasonable fees charged.

The final plan has been revised to reflect the statement that the
additional resources of the full.fort would allow. the Park Service to
implement an approach encouraging the use of the site as a research -
and educational campus furthering the goals of the National Park ©
Service and its partners in the areas:of cultural and natural resources
protection and-education. Areas of focus could include the Hudson-
Raritan ecosystem, historic resource preservation, environmental
education, and cultural activities. (See the discussion of compatible
development for non-NPS owned portions of Fort Wadsworth in the
“Initial Actions” section.) .

Ferry to’ Manhattan.

Ferry-service stops will be determined based on the economic
feasibility of the concessionér operation. It is possible that.
Manhattan will be included in the ferry route.

: Plans for Officers Club adjacent to
Von Briesen Park. :

The officers club adjacent to Von Briesen Park is identified for
restaurant use (building 109). Preliminary designs indicate that 100
individuals could be seated indoors, and approximately 40 outdoors.

Need more info. on Band B
proposed ‘in Plan 1 and assurances.
for local ‘communities.

The bed-and-breakfast along the north side of Mont Sec Avenue will
entail about 32 rooms (25 of them having a private bath) and be

“|. operated: by a concessioner under’an agreement with the National

Park Service. Onsite parking will be provided.

Charge a reasonable entry fee.

Charge admission and: ask.for
volunteers and donations.

Under current law; Gateway National Recreation Area is prohibited |
from charging entrance fees. However, fees would be charged .by
concessioners (bed-and-breakfast, restaurant, ferry) and would help
offset the cost of operations. In addition, fees may be imposed for
fishing permits, community use of buildings and meeting spaces,
performances or exhibitions, commercial activities such as‘ private
tour groups and sunimer day camps, and other special use permits -

J including the N.Y. City Marathon, Half Marathon, and Five-Boro

Bike Ride. A volunteer program would be 3 developed as part of the
overall site operations. .

— insmall boats.

Access by water for general public ;

Access by water: will be permitted; ‘however, it will be limited to

|. nonpower craft due to the limited area available to pull up.

Regarding overnight lodging for those coming by oar and sail, site

“managers will work with the Navy Lodge and the bed-and- breakfast

managers to support some of these overnight needs.

A boat dock for leisure craft
(something to imitate the
Waterclub in Manhattan). -

_ The historic dock is identified for ferry access. It is physically.

limited and unable to support leisure craft docking, particularly with
the hazardous tides and currents...

How about Shakespeare in:the Fort
— a concert series with people like
Pavarotti?

Provisions for.cutdoor coficerts and. performances are identified
behind the chapel:

LIST OF AGENCIES AND ORGANI-
ZATIONS RECEIVING OR REVIEWING
_ COPIES OF THE DRAFT PLAN

This document was prepared in consultation

. agericies, organizations, and individuals. An
* indicates a response was received on the

_- Draft Site: Management. P Plan / Environmental
Assessment.

with or was distributed to the following

56



CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND |
RESPONSES ON THE DRAFT SITE
MANAGEMENT PLAN / ENVIRON- |
MENTAL ASSESSMENT

The draft document was released July 28,
1995, and the’ public comment period ended
on August 28, 1995. About 400 copies of the
draft document were: distributed to agencies,
organizations, and individuals. Open houses

". were held at Fort Wadsworth on August ‘11
and 12, and about 400 members of the public
attended. A number of comments.were made
during the meetings, and:a number of

. questionnaires ‘were sent.as follow-up during

. the comment period... -

In addition, 16 letters were received from
elected officials; agencies, organizations, and
individuals. All 16 letters are responded to

individually at the end of this section.

The comments overwhelmingly supported
the draft plan's preferred alternative ‘and’
undeiscored the-need to preserve the historic
resources and’ provide interpretive programs
related to them as well.as to the natural
environment. The educational value of the
fort and the need‘to preserve the integrity of

the cultural resources were also emphasized
in the comments received.

The proposed concession operation of the
bed-and-breakfast and restaurants was also ~
well received. There was some conéérn about
making the site too commercial. There were
several comments requesting ‘onsite camping,
boating; an Elderhostel and youth hostel
facilities, as well as community-based
meeting rooms. Questions were also asked
about possible revenue sources, to support
site operations and development, including
suggestions regarding fees. A number of
people offered to volunteer to assist the

-National Park Service in operating the site.

RESPONSE TO COMMENTS FROM THE
OPEN HOUSE AND.QUESTIONNAIRES °

The following were selected from comments
made (and recorded on-flip charts) during
the open houses held August 11 and 12,
1995, at Fort Wadsworth, and from infor-
mation relayed via questionnaires made.
available during those meetings and

- submitted during the review period.

COMMENT

RESPONSE

I think we should preserve the

we should also have [dinghy]
rental-and maybe a restaurant
where we eat and learn.about the
fort.

. more historical part of the fort but”
"| or commercial pleasure craft will not be able to be supported'on the

Due to dangerous currents and the potential conflict with large ships
navigating the Narrows, dinghy rentals or rentals for other private

site. However, kayaks and other small craft such as rowboats will be
ailéwed to pull up on shore south of the bridge. The coastal area of
the fort does not lend itself to providing dock facilities spécifically
for pleasure’eraft, Provision of private pleasure craft docking or
anchoragé will conflict with ferry access to the historic dock.

An impact report is needed.

An environmental assessment was performed; see pages 44-60 of the
Draft Site Management Plan.] Environmental Assessment for a
description of possible effects of the alternatives. -

| Do not* use as bed & breakfast —
overnight security problems.

The two entry gates will contiiue to be staffed to monitot-access *
through the site — for the National Park Service as well as other
landowners and ‘tenants within the fort..In addition, the bike and
pedestrian pathways that are proposed to pass through the fort will
be gated and closed after dusk. This will help ensure security for
visitors aS well as tenants onsite.

¢

“52



: ‘NPS-OWNED PORTIONS OF THE SITE

~ In'1993 Congress appropriated Department
of Defense funds: to facilitate Fort’ 3
* “Wadsworth’s: transition from military: -

-. installation to a national park system, unit.

(The impacts ofthese actions do not require
_ | environmental assessment because there’:
“would be no significant impacts: from the «

. actions and they have-been. categorically
excluded from National Environmental

a Policy. Act procedurés; see appendix B iri the’ -

. draft plan.) The funding has supported ,

. appropriate development. of interpretive. ,

facilities, and establish visitor use services so
the public.can use and-enjoy the site-until

- the longer-range plans can‘be' implemented. fat
* « Such’ activities inclide. establishing offices
‘and maintenance. facilities, making resources

J accessible’ and safe’ for Visitors, providing.
" interpretive exhibits and other media that’: -

will convey the'significance of the historic _

'. structures, and doing some additional

; " .completion of this’final. Site Management Plan “

. . | Environmental. Assesiment and related... ~
studies...) |. 2, cS F

a . Mainly, however, as. per laws and NPS o : Le
“ policy and regulations, the funding has-been

. obligated for various initial activities that, in
* “a general, sense, begin to fulfill:the gateway
village concept outlined in the.1979 General

* Management Plan: Specifically, funds have

been obligated to guide stabilization. of."

historic and cultural resources, enguie

ad

studies to. gather more’ information. Some of.
these activities have been completed. .

Specifically; the fundirig has beeri/is-being _
“used to implement the following physical

.. improvements to support public’use. Initial: =

-development and visitor access is contingent

_- Upon the transfer occurring’in fiscal year”
21995. oo a rn

oe Development of a visitor:center in the.

roturida: and ‘adjacent aréas of building
120, which will include-a' visitor °°."
information desk, réstrooms; a video, .

_ orientation aiid interpretive, exhibits,a.*'.”



Impacts.on the Neighborhood and. the Socioeconomic Environment

IMPACTS ON ASBESTOS, UNDER-
GROUND STORAGE TANKS, AND
HAZARDOUS WASTE

AS part of the transition from a:military
facility to a national recreation area, the Park
Service and the U.S. Navy will continue to
address ail issues relatéd to hazardous .
materials abatement. As yet-unidentified
problem areas will be cleaned up according
to applicable laws and regulations. :

IMPACTS ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD -
AND. THE SOCIOECONOMIC
ENVIRONMENT

Impacts on ‘Transportation,
Noise, and Traffic

By encouraging the use of alternative modes
of access, with emphasis on mass transit
“’such as ferry and bicycle, and ericouraging
visitor ‘use during noncommuter peak
periods (all day on weekends. and midday
during the weekdays), no increase in traffic
is anticipated.-Onsité parking for visitors and
: site ede is sufficient to support ©
anticipated use. :

-Noise “Jevels may increase during teeriact-
“ments. During peak visitor use tithes, ©
"adjacent ‘residents may be impacted by
increased. traffic. However, encouraging
visitors to car pool, ride the bus, and take

the ferry will minimize vehicle trips into and

“out of the site.

Because the: proposed NPS use e of the site is
‘less than when the site was historically

operated for military-uses (by the U.S. Army a

-or U.S: Navy), no additional noise impacts
will be anticipated.

‘Impacts on the Community

: The presence of a national park system unit
will be expected to’ draw tourists to Fort
Wadsworth. The tourists and park staff will

__ be expected to stimulate some retail-and -

commercial activities in the surrounding
community. In general, property values may
also increase due to. the existence of the park. .

Concession-rélated activities arid site
activities under this alternative may provide -
additional jobs to area ‘residents. The
presence of tourists will likely continue to. ©
have positive impacts. on local businesses.

Most of the benefits to the community will

‘have occurred with the completion of the

initial actions. The transition from a military
installation to.a civilian, tourist-oriented use
can be expected to continue to have positive
impacts.on the surrounding community.
Fewer infrastructure improvements will be
needed than with a highly concentrated

_ military population.

‘ Some members of the.community may be

disappointed: because active recreational
activities, such as baseball,.soccer, and
volleyball, will not be increased. They may ~

* also. be disappointed because community-~

gardens will not be allowed (because of the

high lead content in the soil). No effects will

be-associated with Coast Guard management

~_-of the ballfield or onsite resident use of the

picnic area.or from continuing the start of
the New York City Marathon at the site.

» Allowing expanded community-based

cultural activities, including indoor concerts.

_and theatrical performances, in the chapel

and possibly limited outdoor concerts in the
open area between the chapel and the
bachelor’s enlisted quarters will be beneficial

for site and community residents.

Some.jobs may have been created by’ the.
: opening and development of the site under

the initial actions, which may ‘have been

* filled by area residents, consistent with

Department of the Interior hiring regula- -
tions. Some’ additional jobs may be created

~ by imiplementing the plan, which, if consis-

tent with hiring regulations, may also be
filled by area residents. -


the National Park Service will evaluate their.

potential for inclusion on the National
Register of Historic Places; if eligible, -
appropriate measures will be undertaken to
preserve them. Archeological survey and ©
testing will be‘carried out before, or in
conjunction with, construction.

" Table 2 lists actions that. are either progtam- .
matic. exclusions or that are subject to further

Laws Relaied to Cultural Resources

SHPO and ACHP consultation: Should the
National Park Service and the state historic
preservation officer so decide,-other actions
not meeting the programmatic éxclusion
definition may be determined to need no. -’-
further review: Any such agreement,

- however, must be mutually determined and: ~

fully documented.

TABLE 2, CULTURAL RESOURCE SECTION 106 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR PLAN UNDERTAKINGS

ACTIONS REQUIRING FURTHER SHPO REvIEW

..specific exclusions in the

ACTIONS NoT REQUIRING
FURTHER REVIEW (letters refer to

programunati¢ agreement)

THE PLAN |”

Fort Tompkins

* ‘Rehabilitate roof structure to halt water
damage in casemates.
Remove peeling lead paint from walls and
_ceilings of all casemates and rooms where. it
may’ pose visitor or employee safety.concerns
+ Extend plumbing arid electric service ag
required:by fature uses of the structure,
* Replace all broken windows within the fort
+ and restore or replace in kind all doors
* Install reproduction gun to enhance
interpretation ~.
Replace in kind sought i iron n stairways,
railings, and decorative ironwork throughout,
fort .
+ Replace in kind rotted wooden flooring
- structures throughout fort
. Restore roofs on several small freé-standing
+ structures within the dry moat
* Rehabilitate cisterns’

Battery Weed

Seawall and Dock

Restore roofs over stair'towers and on two
magazines

Restore exterior of guardhouse and rehabilitate
interior

Restore metal Totten. shutters’

Restore lighthouse

Rehabilitate roof structure fo halt water
damage in casemate’ :

“* Install reproduction guns to enhince

interpretation

* Install electrical systém within structures for
* lighting and heating

Restore or replace in kind rotted wooden
flooring structures throughout fort

Retiabilitate dock for ferry landing
Reconstruct the seawall at Battery Weed
Constnict new structure at dock

Needs further feview by SHPO

47° -


WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

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_ SAaSNOdSay -

SLNJNWOO

76


GENERAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

In August 1979 the National Paik Service
completed. a General Management Plan for.”
Gateway National-Recreation Area that, i in-

: cludés broad recommendations for managing 7 ~
“The 1979- plan also’states ‘that the National”

. Fort Wadsworth: The: plan recommends that

--Fort Wadsworth be: developed and managed
asa, “gateway village” oran activity center
“t ‘that, in addition to’ fulfilling the functions of -
“> “a ‘traditional NPS visitor. center complex,
supports an‘assortment of activities that.in

someway provide insight into the relation. .
ship of people to their environment. The ~ -
1979. plan emphasizes preserving and. *

adaptively reusing. historic resources.to,
Support appropriate, gateway village: enter- *
. | prises. Such enterprises could include éduca-
 y tional facili 6, classrooms, laboratories,
* gymnasiums,.day. camps, hostel units, play-

grounds, day. care centers, restaurants; and ..

residences for NPS staff. The plan indicates
that important cultural resources’and:- the
“remaining natural-landscapes are to be-”
managed to. 'Perpernate their intrinsic:

"site planning, specifically.a development:
. concept-plan, upon transfer of Fort Mayes
. ‘Wadsworth from the Department of Defense _~”

. characteristics ‘and values. The- plan : .

“emphasizes that every effort will be made’ to.
2. avoid simply duplicating or ‘supplementing °

*. recreational- opportunities, already. available

in the region. .

‘Park Service would undertake more detailed

to the National.Park Service. Because the site
has: been extensively developed since: the .

; approval, of.the General Management Plan}, :

(with nearly’ ‘$200 million invested. in the site, ~
reflected in its new. buildings,- infrastructure, .

” and other improvements), the Park Service”
.. détermined:that a'site' management plan, ©
‘*would.be prepared rather than‘a-develop-
‘ment concept.plan. Emphasis ‘in this final’.
"Site Management Plan | Environmental
"Assessment. is on the programmatic and —

adaptive reuse of the site and existing * |
buildings as opposed ‘to: new development:

: for such Purposes. Alhovgat the cua oF



PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT —

The final Site Management Plan | _
Environmental Assessment has been developed
with substantial public. consultation. The
, public involvement process began in 1993
when Gateway National Recreation Area's,
general superintendent met with military

and community leaders and with representa-. -

tives from the private sector. During 1994
the planning team held a series of meetings
to solicit. concerns ‘and desires of interested
citizens and community leaders regarding -
the management of Fort Wadsworth. In May
- 1994 the National Park Service invited
. participation of the state historic preser-.
vation office and the Advisory Council on...
Historic Preservation in the planning pro-
cess. In June 1994 the state historic preser-
* vation officer was again invited to partici- ~
pate during site scoping meetings. On

January 19,: 1995, the site superintendent and

the'regional historian traveled to Albany’ to_

»COnsuLn TION,

Bs voy

Seth of Hh ons agate zs

‘discuss the site. plan with the state historic
_ preservation officer.Two representatives

from that office visited the site to discuss
actions in August 1994. In spring 1995 the
planning team distributed an informational
newsletter to‘over 150 residents and institu-
tions in the greater New York City. metropol-
itan area-that described the purpose of Fort

. Wadsworth and: how citizens could become

- more involved in this planning effort.:

. The: Draft Site Management Plan i

Environmental Assessment was made. available

_ for formal public review for 30 days, ending

August'28, 1995. During this review period,
the team accepted written and oral com-
ments on the'alternatives. The team has -
carefully reviewed. all comments.and incor-
porated them, as appropriate, inthis final
Site Management Plan / Environmental .
Assessinent. The plan will be implemerited
over the next 20 years as funding ‘and other -

- contingencies allow.

51



SUMMARY

plan will be implemented over the next 20
years as funding and other contingencies
allow. .

In summary, the plan features programs, .
Services, and management actions that are
designed to facilitate interpretation of Fort
Wadsworth’s important story. To enhance
visitor understanding of the site’s past, all.”
major fortifications will be preserved or
rehabilitated and interpreted-to represent
their most recent period of historic signifi-
cance. This will allow cultural resource

. Management and interpretation of the. most _

notable developments in the evolution of the’

fortifications and all significant aspects of
coastal and harbor defense.’ °

To bring to life, the stories of Fort.
Wadsworth, educational exhibits and -
programs will employ military objects,
personal effects; and quotes. from soldiers
and their families. During times of peak ‘use,
visitors will encounter costumed interpreters.
at-select locations, observe reenactments of
historic military activities, and participate. in
interpretive programs to learn about the
lives of Fort Wadsworth’s historic occupants
and their roles in defending'New York. _

~ A comprehensive program serving regional *

schools and organized groups will be the
focus of weekday interpretive activities. An
. emphasis on general public programming
will occur on weekends, During weekends,
park staff will be augmented with voluntéers
" depicting activities experienced by so soldiers
stationed at Fort Wadsworth. .

Although the plan actions, do not focus on
increasing, onsite recreational opportunities,
- recreational activities for Visitors will be

somewhat expanded, offering some oppor-”

turiities that had only been available to
military personnel. Uses such as walking,
birding, biking, kite flying, and other. -
informal athletic activities will be available
to the public. Visitor access to the site will
also be improved. Fishing will be allowed’
during daylight-and evening hours. Public
access to the beach will be. allowed, but

- swimming will be prohibited. Indoor

concerts, lectures, theater performances, and _
other small community-based cultural
activities will be allowed in the chapel
(building: 203) under a special use permit,
possibly ona reimbursable basis.
Reenactments will be allowed by special use
permit, consistent with other visitor.use
activities. A bicycle route through the fort,
using existing roadways, will be established,
as will a pedestrian route. The 25-year-old
tradition of starting the New York Marathon
from. Fort Wadsworth will continue.

Under this’ plan, visitors will benefit from
greatly expanded. opportunities to learn of
Fort Wadsworth’s significant contributions to
the defense of New York ‘Harbor and its:
adjacent coasts..The plan continues the ©
National Park Service's effort to preserve
and protect all historically significant

: structures at Fort Wadsworth so that they

may be'safely used by visitors.and staff,
For further information, please contact: -

Superintendent; Staten Island Unit
’ Gateway Natjonal Recreation Area

26 Miller Field :

Staten Island, NY 10306

(718) 448-7056

“iv


WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES:

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68


. _ Endicott-Era Batteries

Based on available documentation, one
Endicott-era battery (probably Battery Catlin)
_ will be rehabilitated and opened for access
by guided tour only (including signs and
railings). Reproduction armaments will be
. installed. Visitors will be able to see other
Endicott-era batteries preserved -in their
: current state. Guided tours to batteries south
-_ of the bridge may be offered, following an-
informal trail. All batteries will be secured
" from unauthorized access. Periodic main-
tenance will halt or lessen ongoing
deterioration.

Mont Sec Avenue (Officers’ Row)

The historic residential setting of Mont Sec

* Avenue will be retained, and visitors will be
encouraged to stroll down its officers’ tow:
One Mont Sec Avenue home will be rehabili-
tated and interpreted by costumed interpre-
ters to depict how officers and’ their families
lived ‘in the 1890s. (The building will be
chosen from buildings 111-114 for this use,
based on extent of original fabric, available
documentation, and ease of access for
visitors.)

Homes on Mont Sec Avenue’s north side
will be rehabilitated to provide bed-and-
breakfast style. accommodations for visitors

. (concessioner operated, “with parking for
guests in back of the structures). Building
109 (former officers” club) will be rehabili-
tated for use as:a concessioner-operated
Testaurant.where visitors can dine al fresco
while enjoying sweeping views of New York

- Harbor, possibly with waitpeople attired in
military dress and updated menus of the era.

- (The interior has been significantly:altered,

- but some architectural features remain, such

.as'a colonial revival mantel and ‘some

_ woodwork, and will be retained.)

With the exception of building 115, ‘the struc-
tures on the south side of the street will be

used to house military/NPS.employees. The -
deteriorated asphalt shingle siding (installed

_ Visitor Experience and the Historic Structures

ca..1950) on south side buildings 111-114 |

‘will-be removed so-that damage can be
Lassessed and. the original wood siding and

decorative trim can’be restored. These four
buildings will remain the only nonbrick

_ structures on the stréet: Building 115 will.

© function as‘a conference center and be avail- °

able by permit for special occasions that
have thematic relationship to-the fort. -

The interior layouts and significant archi- -

tectural features of all Mont Sec Avenue
homes will be preserved. and protected." '-

Torpedo Building (Building 147)

“1 The torpedo (stoiage) building will be -

preserved. The south-end lower level will be

. rehabilitated to ‘provide restrooms for °

visitors and staff. A roof, windows, and
doors will be added, and utilities will be
extended to, the building.

Stable (Building 309)

Building 309 will be-rehabilitated for U.S.
Park Police use.. A wayside exhibit will
explain historic building use.

“Cartiage House” (Building 352)

Visitors will:be able to, have lunch or a snack

“:in the réhabilitated carriage house. Limited

parking will be nearby. Nore: This building
has functioned as the enlisted men’s club
since the 1980s. It is sited on what was
believed to be a stable and is commonly
known as the carriage house; this structure
will be referred to as the carriage house in

. this document.

. Miscellaneous Buildings

21

Building. 140 (the rod and gun club),
building 339 (the seaplane hangar), building

406 (gatehouse), and building 404 (the
gatehouse at the west entrance) will be


WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES *

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B90


“INITIAL ACTIONS

Until the’ closure of Naval Station New: York
on August 31, 1994, the fort had been
administered by a single landowner. Now,
several landowners will operate within the _
boundaries of Fort Wadsworth, resulting in
an amalgam of uses. The National Park

Service recognizes the need to broadly define *

compatible levels of development and land
uses so that all landowners will be encour-
aged to operate as a community and the
potential for use conflicts (e.g., between
residences and public access) will be 7
minimized. NPS site superintendents offer
the following goals to all landowners within :
the fort to consider and adopt:

. + Establish an interagency advisory group of

site landowners whose purpose is to re-
view proposals and advise Fort Wads-
worth land managers on issues relating to
land use and physical modifications.

e Discourage additional fencing to maximize.

the open feeling of ‘the site and minimize
emphasis on specific boundaries within .
the fort..To soften the appearance of
existing barriers, vines, shrubs; or other
vegetation should be planted near or on
existing fences,.such as those around the
reserve center.

separate potentially incompatible land

uses, such as private residences and. his-
_ toric resources, that are accessible to the |
. public:

Discourage additional paving. Open space
on Staten Island and throughout New ~*
York City is at a premium, and the maxi-
mum use of existing paved surfaces
should be explored.

¢ Preserve and manage sensitive habitats,
such as the stand of native oaks and wild
azaleas in the northwest portion of the -
site, to ensure their continued vigor.

Evaluate the need for: lodging on Staten *
Island when the. Navy Lodge amortizés its
capital investment: If, at that time,

- 44

Consider planting. additional vegetation to

adequate lodging facilities exist outside the
fort on Staten Island, remove the lodge -
_and restore the site to an open grassy area.

Pursuant to objectives. noted. above, the
National Park Service will provide advice
arid professional éxpertise to other tenants,
particularly in'the areas of land use
planning, cultural and natural resource.
management, and specification of landscape
materials that are appropriate to the site. The
Park Service would discourage additional
development beyond existing land uses, and
building footprints.

“The possibility exists that all of the <

properties within the boundaries of Fort’
Wadsworth could eventually come under the
ownership of the National Park Service: .
Should this situation occur, the National

_ Park Service — pursuant to its primary

mission to protect and interpret resources —
would phase out housing, remove under-

_ used: nonhistoric structures, enhance open

space, and expand site interpretation. The
additional resources of the full fort would
allow the Park Service to implement an - _
approach that encourages the use of the site
as a research and educational campus, thus
furthering NPS goals.and the goals of its
partners in the areas of cultural and natural
Tesource protection and education. Areas of
focus could include the Hudson-Raritan

. ecosystem, ‘historic résource preservation,
. environmental education, and cultural

activities. Specifically, the National Park

Service would conduct the following

activities:

. Remove approximately 400 recently (1990) -
developed units of housing and restore the
landscape per the recommendations of a
‘cultural landscape report.

* Adapt buildings 208 and 209 for use as an
environmental education and conference
facility, and adapt the bachelors’ enlisted
quarters for lodging to support such
facilities.


tear elevations between the two end U-
shaped spans of building ells. Sometime
after 1960 the barracks was converted to
Office use and the windows were replaced.

Building 352 (“Cartage House”). The.
carriage house isa two-story building with a
rectangular plan‘and gabled roof. It has red
vinyl siding with red. and dark brown trim.
Multigray-tone asphalt.shingles cover the
roof. Windows are one-over-one aluminum.
sash, It appears to have been an enlisted

* men’s club built over the site of an earlier

stable that was constructed ‘on the site in
1921.

Seabee Complex (Buildings 301, 302,
303/304, 305, 309, 310). Six buildings
-comprise the Seabee complex, and most date
from the late.1930s WPA era (building 305
dates to 1900):. The complex provided a
support function for the fort, serving:as
garages, motor ‘pools,.a motor dispatch, . .
storage facilities, a stable, and associated
offices. It appears to have beén;built asa |
planned, complex. The exteriors of each -

- building retain their core massing although
siding materials and fenestration patterns
have been altered.

Gatehouse (Building 406). This structure

__Was constructed sometime before 1895 and _
before military incorporation into the fort. It
is a two-story building with a cruciform plan
and hipped roofs with shallow inclines. Two
of the spaces between-arms have been filled’.
in with one-story enclosed rooms. The
fouridation is of brick and sandstone, and

: the elevations have been covered with’blue -
vinyl siding. Two ceramic chimney pots are
set on a central chimney stack...” .

"Gatehouse (Building 404). The west entrance
gatehouse was constructed in 1939. The
building is no longer used as a gatehouse!

Othet Buildings. The rod and gun-club
(building 140)-is pre-1940s and jis in a state
of deterioration. The small arms range/
hangar (building 339) dates to 1939.and was

used as a seaplane hangar.

31

Cultural Features
Cultural Landscape

The 226-acre Fort Wadsworth represents a
cultural landscape that is diverse and
complex. Owing to-its distinct’ pattérn of .
more than two centuries of military develop-
ment, the character and appearance of Fort.
Wadsworth varies widely from area to.area
within the base. :

In the hnoitheast portion of the site, the Fort
Tompkins and Battery Weed area represent
the historic core of Fort Wadsworth. The
massive, cut-stone Battery Weed’ protrudes

“out into the.Narrows, looming over the

water. Behind it the land rises sharply up a
bank. At the top of the bank Fort Tompkins
sits on a. knoll reaching elevations of 150 feet

"above sea level. .

Along Mont Sec Avenue there.are, eleven, 2-

* to 24-story brick facade’and. board-and-

batten structures that were.used for officers’

‘housing. Lined on both sides by these

structures, generous sidewalks, graceful
London plane trees and decorative light
‘standards, Mont Sec Avéenue‘has the .
character of an attractive residential 7
neighborhood. Building 109, at the end of
Mont Sec Avenue, was an officers’ club-and
has scenic views of the harbor... .

~ New York Avenue, which bisects the north:
‘ernhalf of the site from north to south, has

served as the main street of Fort Wadsworth
since the, turn’of the century. Historically,

*_ the appearance of New. York Avenue was a

fairly dense streetscape of one-'to three-story

structurés, including a hospital, barracks,

and. single-family. residences: With the devel-
opment of the U.S. Navy homeport, the his- ©
toric hospital along New York Avenue was

‘demolished: and replaced with a'modern

structure. Specifically, the scale of New York: -
Avenue north of the bridge was changed
through the construction of the three-story
building 120 and its large parking area along
the east side of New York Avenue. To the = -
west of New York Avenue and north of the
bridge lies the former parade ground, now ~

partially occupied by a quadrangle of four-



Response to Comments from the Open, House and Questionnaires

- COMMENT

RESPONSE.

Provide coritinuing education clas-
ses perhaps sailboating, how can-
nons and old rifles work — per-
haps open a rifle range. I also like
the idea of costumed interpreters. 1
hope there would be many inter-
active exhibits and. activities. There
should also. be outreach programs
involving schools; scouting and
other community groups.

appropriate levels of staffing

‘Although, Fort Wadsworth will not sponsor formal for-credit con-.
tinuing education classes, site managers will make space available
for educational’ programs that are thematically linked to the site on a.
special use permit basis. Outreach programs will be provided, given

I would like an interactive setting
where people and children can
participate in safe activities like

_ boating instruction, fishing skill,
tennis, bicycling, repelling and
have cultural tours on history ina
very small section. Also camping,
may fit in with some of history
(also golfing). Revenue can be
gotten by camiporees and regular
educational camping 1 night or.2
night like Zoo does.

Onsite boatiig instruction would not be feasible given the limited
shoreline and hazardous water currents that ‘exist adjacent to the
fort. .With regard to tennis, répelling, and golfing, these active
recreation uses are incompatible with the historic purposes and
significanée of the site. In addition, no areas exist to support these
types of uses, Due to the mix of.land uses existing at the fort, ie, _
office space for. the Coast Guard, “Army: ‘Reserve, and the National
Park Service, residences for over 450 families, and possible adjacent
neighborhood concerns, camping is not considered-a compatible
land use. It is also not considered compatible with. the.nature of the
site and its significance. Camping is allowed in other parts of
Gateway National Recreation Area.

There should be sailing lessons,
biking, skating, horse back riding,
horse and buggy tours, swimming,
etc.” :

} proposed. The Park Service will manage it as necessary to desl with

See notes regarding sailing above. As described in.the plan, swim-
ming would be prohibited due to dangerous currents. Equestrian
use and buggy tours are infeasible onsite, due to lack of trails and
facilities to support that use. Regarding in-line’skating, it is
acknowledged that it will occur, but there are no designated areas

user conflicts and impose reasonable limits to control it.

I am concerned about. the proposed
ferry access, It is a great idea, but I
don’t se¢-this site generating
enough traffic to justify it.

The ferry service will be operated by a concessioner to link Fort .
‘Wadsworth with other units of Gateway’ National Recreation Area,
and possibly other parks. and cultural sites. This service will only
operate if it is financially feasible for thé concessioner.

Battery Weed fooftop or courtyard
could be'tented and used for
outdoor wedding receptions. This
could be a tremendous money-
maker for the Park Service. The
unique setting would be booked
into the next, century. This could bé
done after hours to maximize park
use. -

I'd like to see Fort (sic) Weed:
become’a(n) amphitheater for
concerts and: operas.

.is norinally closed to visitation. Concerts, operas, and weddings

|: exist at the battery. Also, the néarést parking would be 0,25 mile "*

It is very important that the historical integrity’ of the resources, of
Fort Wadsworth not be jeopardized by uses that-intérfere with the.
visitor’s interpretive experience of the site or that resultin  °
unnecessary wear and tear on the historic fabric. To minimize dis-.°
ruption of the interpretation of the battery for park visitors, such
events would have to be scheduled during hours when the structure.

would be infeasible at Battery Weed without costly improvements’ -
. and circumstances that could adversely impact historic fabric and ~"
site integrity, including’a major upgrade of electrical, lighting,

safety, water, and sewer systems, most of which do not currently

away, and noise from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge would severely.

affect the quality and éfficacy of the experience.


programs will employ. military objects,
personal effects, and quotes from soldiers

* and their families. During times, of peak use,
‘visitors will find costumed interpreters at
select locations, observe reenactments of
historic military activities, and. participate in
‘interpretive programs to learn about the
lives of Fort Wadsworth’s historic occupants
_and_their. roles in defending New. York. °

A comprehensive program serving regional
schools and organized groups will be the
focus, of weekday interpietive activities. An

’’. emphasis on general public programming

will occur on weekends. During weekends,
site staff-will be augmented with volunteer
reenactors depicting activities experienced by:
soldiers stationed at Fort Wadsworth. Other
educational opportunities will include a
partner-sponsored Elderhostel, which-may
use spaces in building 210 or the chapel for
classes. Lodging may be available at the
Navy Lodge or concessior-run bed-and-
breakfast operations on Mont Seg Avenue.

‘Natural resources. will be managed according
‘to NPS regulations and appropriate laws.
Interpretation of natural resources will focus
on their relationship to-the military defense
of the harbor, the development of New York
City commerce and transportation, and the
significance of the Hudson-Raritan
ecosystem.

VISITOR EXPERIENCE AND .
THE HISTORIC STRUCTURES.

Entry

The visitor vehicular entrance. to the site will
be through’the fort’s.main gate‘on New York
" Avenue, at the north end of the site. To _
ensure appropriate visitor welcome, thé
 guardhouse there will be-staffed by? NFS =
persorinel.

Also, the National Park Service will work
with partners to establish ferry service to
Fort Wadsworth and ‘other Gateway National
Recreation Area.units and other parks. and

Visitor Experience and-the Historic Structures

“cultural sites as economically feasible,

Visitors arriving by ferry will disembark at:

the upgraded Battery Weed dock and be
greeted by NPS personnel stationed in a new. -
structure at the dock. Although this service
will build on the existing commuter service,

it will not be structured to serve commuters.

Visitors will be encouraged to walk to the

” site's designated visitor areas and explore

the resources that are available to-them. .
Alternative-fuel-shuttles will be provided at
times of high visitation, such as on week-
‘ends, to transport visitors to significant site

- features. -

Parking will not be available near the dock;
all visitor parking will be adjacent to the

"visitor center-in building .120 (described

below). Also, visitors will be encouraged to
car pool, and many will arrive by bus.

The fort grounds, including vehicular,
bicycle, and pedestrian access points, will be

“ open during daylight hours anid closed to all

but residents and those attending special
functions or other permitted’ uses.at night.

Visitor Center

Visitors can begin’ their explorations ata.’
visitor center in the rotunda and adjacent
areas of the first floor of building 120 (see
The Plan map). Here, through audiovisual
media, interpretive exhibits, and printed ‘
‘materials, visitors cah learn of the primary
themes of Fort Wadsworth and the oppor

. tunities available at the site. Basic services,

17

_ Such-as restrooms and a-cooperating associ-

ation bookstore, will also be in the center.“

Fort Tompkins

Once at Foit Tompkins, which will be réha-

bilitated and interpreted. to reflect its use

. during the late 19th century, visitors will see

museum exhibits and interpretive media‘in
restored /rehabilitated casemates that place ©
Fort Wadsworth’s military use into context.




INTRODUCTION.

This final Site Management Plan /.
. Environmental Assessment contains the
approved plan for the management, develop-

. "ment, and. use of Fort Wadsworth. It fulfills:

the site’s purpose-as outlined in the 1972 ©

_- enabling legislation for Gateway National
Recreation Area and provides for resource
preservation, a quality visitor experience,
and safe, effective site operation. It calls for
restoring cultural resources to their historic
appearance and, in times of peak visitation,
using costumed interpreters at select loca-

. . tions to bring to life the fort’s vast military
history. .

The environmental assessment section of this
final Site Management Plan analyzes the’,
potential impacts on cultural and natural -
resources and thé socioeconomic environ-
ment that will result from implementing the
plan. “ :

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This document and environmental assess-

-ment have been developed in accordance

with the National Environmental] Policy Act
of 1969 (NEPA), 42 USC 4321 et seq.; the
Council on Environmental Quality’s NEPA
regulations, 40 CFR 1500 et seq.; the’ U.S.
Department of the Interior’s Departmental
Manual, part 516 DM. 6, appendix 7, which
contains the National Park Service’s NEPA

“regulatioris; NPS-12, which contains the

National Park Service's NEPA: compliance
guidelines; andthe 1979 Final’ General
Management Plan { Environmental Impact
Statement for the Gateway National Recreation

: Area and that plan's Interpretive Prospectus.

IMPACTS ON VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Visitors will benefit from greatly expanded

- educational opportunities at Fort Wads-

worth. They will be able to learn of the fort's -
significant contributions to the defense of
New York Harbor and its adjacent coasts. All
major fortifications will be preserved or


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CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION .-

WRITTEN COMMENTS FROM
AGENCIES, ORGANIZATIONS; AND
INDIVIDUALS

- A total of 16 letters were received on-the
draft plan. All supported the preferred:
alternative, but some had: questions and
concerns. The letters and NPS responses
follow:

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~ WRITTEN COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

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Park Service, the Coast Guard will use
building.306 for housing Coast Guard main-
tenance activities. Most of the stable
(building 309). will be renovated for use by
U.S: Park. Police-horses and for Kennels.

- Collections

The current museum collection at Fort
Wadsworth is composed mainly of
archeological objects that do not lend.

- themselves to display or interpretation. In
addition, the site owns only a few objects
relating to coastal defense, including the last
flag flown over the fort as an active military
base. An aggressive collection policy will be
established to locate and obtain fort-related
objects for interpretive purposes.

'. Staffing -

‘To operate the site, the National Park Service

intends to employ about 91 permanent

employees arid seasonal employees equal to

about.44 full-time employees. This number

includes law enforcement personnel, * :

mdintenance workers, interpretive rangers, .
“and historic preservation specialists:

NPS Employee. Access

Site managers will negotiate with the.
TriBorough Bridge and Tunnel Authority to
allow toll-free bridge access to site
employees. This could be accomplished by
using existing access ramps from the
Verrazano-Nartows Bridge. into a secured

"sparking lot

Costs and Implementation Strategy

Utilities

Additional water or sewer:connections and a.

_ sewage lift station, beyond those covered-in

the “Initial Actions” section, are-anticipatéd ,

"under this alternative. This riew utility line

(from Fort Tompkins to Battery Weed) will
be buried to allow. for a more accurate
historic landscape.

CLEANUP OF HAZARDOUS
SUBSTANCES, POLLUTANTS,

‘AND CONTAMINANTS

Coordination of the removal and/or abate-

ment of hazardous substances, predominate-
ly asbestos and contaminated soils, will have
been accomplished primarily by the U.S.

Navy. If any hazardous substances are found
in the future, they will be addressed as per

- legal and NPS requirements.

COSTS AND IMPLEMENTATION

STRATEGY -

The following ‘costs will be incurred to

. implement the plan. The total annual .
operating: budget for the sité will be $5.7

million, which includes operation of'a
shuttle during peak visitation. It is likely that:

~ a fee schedule‘ will be developed, to accom-

modate concessions and special programs.
and activities that are not part of the core

"mission of the site.

2)


ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SITE.

Fort Wadsworth, along with:several other
NPS Staten Island sites (Miller Field, Great.
«,’ Kills Park, and Hoffman and Swinburne” ’
.. Islands), comprise the'Staten Island Unit of *--
- Gateway National Recreation Ated.(see a
Region map). Congress established Gateway”
National Recreation ‘Area in 1972 as: .
America’s ‘first urban national recreation
area: The recreation area’s. priiiiary purpose. °
ig “to preserve and protect for the:use and
enjoyment of present and future generations
. anarea possessing outstanding natural.and .- -:
_ -tecreational features” (Public Law 92-592, 85
Stat'1308; sée appendix. A). The outstanding. °
featutes of Gateway National Recreation ‘..
‘Area.include miles of ocean and bay: beach, °.-
thousands. of acres of marshes :and grass-: ».-
lands; and an abundance of nationally
"”- significant structures-and landscapes .that
- Were the setting for historic events and
, activities. aoe oY

“PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION”

.. Fort Wadsworth was identified ‘in.the 1972

“transfer of portions of the site, Expectations’

legislation that established Gateway National
Recreation Atea. In 1972:Fort Wadsworth’
was an active military. installation under the’

jurisdiction of the'United States Army. The -

1972. legislation stated: that Fort Wadsworth

:wouild be’ transferred-to the National. Park ..- ;

Service (NPS) when the military vacated the... -
site. A fter'the U.S..Army vacated the sité, the

. U.S. Navy occupied Naval Station New York ,
* at Fort Wadsworth from 1987 until the
i. Station's ‘closure on August 31,1994. The

US. Navy ‘still: owns and has been managing
the’site in a caretaker capacity since August
1994 and will continue to do'so. pending

are that most of the site will be transferred“.
to the National Park Service, and some..." ”
portions of the-sité will. be retained by: units

_ of the U:S.-Army Reserve and the.U.S. Coast ©.

Guard.’ However, the actual transfer has not

“yet taken place.



. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Impacts on Threatened
and Endangered Species -

The only potential impacts on the peregrine
falcons under this alternative will be the’
sounds. of weapons being fired during his-
toric reenactments. Because blanks will-be
used, which are no more startling than the
typical vehicle backfire that the. falcons hear
from bridge traffic, no impacts on falcons i is
expected. :

- Activities related to the rehabilitation of the
dock and the reconstruction of the-seawall
and associated increases in harbor traffic
(due to ferry-service) will not-have any ©
significant impact on the short-nosed_
sturgeon. :

Impacts on Agricultural Lands/Soils ;
Developing the informal trail south of the

Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and establishing
a pedestrian route through the site will likely

". result in increased. pedestrian traffic and,

potentially, soil compaction on dirt spur
trails. However, directing visitors to use
established paths and roadways will mini-
mize this potential impact.

Impacts on Wetlands, Floodplains,
and Water Quality

Directing visitors away from environmental
ly sensitive wetland areas will help li limit.
vegetation trampling.

Rehabilitating the dock. and restoring the
seawall will involve some disturbance to the
-bank and harbor floor, but this will be
minimized through compliance with Army
Corps of Engineers permit directives,

Allowing only passive recreation in the
ecologically sensitive areas of the beach and |
adjacent area and providing new signs
indicating an-ecological-reserve will help
protect ‘natural features, vegetation, and
wildlife. . :

Impacts on Air Quality

Increased visitor use and employee activities

will involve the presence of more buses and
cars. However, the number of fossil-fuel-

~ burning vehicles may decrease from military

use levels. Because alternative-fuel shuttles
will be used to transport visitors onsite; the
effect on air quality will be minimal: Buses
used to transport visitors to the site will not
be.allowed to idle for prolonged periods,

‘thereby. minimizing any impacts on air

quality. Because the site is near a primary
roadway (the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge); it
is unlikely that any NPS operations will
improve or exacerbate air quality.

Based on the professional judgment of NPS
staff, the aggregate of direct and indirect
emissions of ozone-depleting chemicals .
caused by all activities contemplated under
the approved plan will not exceed the stand-
ard set for an aréa of severe nonattainment

" pursuant to-40 CFR section.93.153 (b)(1). As.

such, the emissions will be below the de
minimis threshold Jevel included in ‘the
general conformity rule for which a formal
emissions analysis must be done. Both the

_. New York State Department of Enviror-

mental Conservation and the New York City
Department of Environmental Protection
received copies of the Draft Site Management
Plan | Environmental Assessment, and neither’
responded with comments to. the effect that
the proposed action-would have any impact .
on the state implementation plan.

_Impacts on Topography and
Geologic Resources

Improvements to structures.and landscapes

_ under this alternative will not alter. the

terrain, beyond the possible removal of
vegetation. Some minor grading may occur
in association with historic restoration
activities. There will be no impacts 0 on
geologic resources.




AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT -

Natural Areas. There are 3 acres of coastal
tallgrass vegetation and 5 acres of coastline,
beach, coastal marsh, and wetlands. Most of
the trees and understory occupy the steep
slopes facing the bay and around the forts
and batteries. Much of this vegetation either
obscures the lines of sight that were impor-
tant from a military perspective or covers the
historic batteries. The tree species are pri-
marily red and white oak, sycamore, black
locust, hickory, box elder maple, and black
cherry. The understory vegetation consists
mostly of blackberry, shrub and vine honey-
. suckle, greenbrier, wild grape, tree-of-
heaven, wormwood, arid sumac.. There is
also a.small area adjacent to the beach in the
southwest corner of the property that con-
sists of black locust and sassafras, with some.
: understory consisting of the same general .
types of vegetation found on the slopes and
around the batteries. The general condition
of this vegetation is poor, consisting of few -
straight trees and a dense tangle of brush

‘Songbirds are the dominant wildlife on Fort

Wadsworth, inhabiting the tree.and shrub -
habitat. Gray squirrels, raccoons, wood-
chucks, cottontail. rabbits, striped skunks,
and a few. ring-necked pheasants also inhabit
the grassy areas adjacent to. the beach. In
addition, the grassland areas.and wetlands”
contain several species of shorebirds.and
ducks, including the spotted sandpiper, great
blue heron, and mallard ducks. Fort-
Wadsworth lies along the Atlantic Coastal
Flyway for bird migrations.

* Threatened and Endangered Species ,

ahd vines. A number of isolated mature trees .

provide shade for visitors.

The tallgrass area inland from the sand
beach is dominated by American beachgrass
and seaside goldenrod. The bay-side grasses
‘consist mainly of salt .meadow cordgrass,

coastal panicgrass, cocklebur, and a number :

of annuals. Landward of the herbaceous
vegetation, trees such as cherry and locust
are invading.

The only-native stand of trees is in the
tiorthwest corner of the site and includes
‘native oaks.and, wild azaleas.

Wildlife Habitat

Although no formal fauna inventory has
“been.conducted by the Park Service, such an’
inventory was undertaken by the Soil .
Conservation Service (for the U.S. Navy) in ”

The peregrine’ falcon nests on the Verrazano-
Narrows Bridge, which bisects the site. The
peregrine falcon is on the federal and state of’
New York list of endangered species. Other
than occasional transient individuals, there

are no other endangered species in the vicin-
ity of Fort Wadsworth (see appendix F inthe
draft plan).

The short-nosed- sturgeon is listed as
endangered by the National Marine Fisheries,

‘Service and is known to exist in the Hudson:

River Basin, which ends in.New York
Harbor.

LA

- Agricultural Lands/Soils

Because of thé previous disturbance of most
of the soils onsite, it is only possible to
describe the soils to a general grouping level.
The dominant soils characteristics include
deep, well, and ‘moderately well-drained
medium-textured soils. These soils are

«. generally forming in reddish fill that is,

the Natural Resources Management Plan (1992). -

Based on that plan and field observations by:

NPS staff, a variety of species were found on
the site.

34

dominantly loam or silt loam. In sonie places
the fill overlies sandy loam or loamy sand
deposits.at depths greater than 3 feet. Most
of the site is moderately well-drained, and
the permeability rate is moderate to
moderately slow. The clay contént ranges
from 12%-30%.

Historically, there. was some agricultural use
on Fort Wadsworth, but any vestiges of such:


Compatible Develapment for Non-NPS Owned Portions of Fort Wailsworth

sales area for the bookstore, and special
program space.

Rehabilitation of infantry battalion’
barracks (building 210) to provide -
administrative office space for the Staten
Island Unit, U.S. Park Police, and some

*- functions of Gateway National Recreation
Area, including a centralized parkwide. -
library, archives, natural resources offices
and laboratory,.cultural resources offices,
collections management facility, and the

Interpretation and: Community Outreach. ©

and Planning and Professional Services -
. Divisions for all of Gateway National
Recreation Area.

Improvements to.enhancé accessibility of
administrative offices, histori¢ resources,
and visitor facilities. ~

Repair of deteriorating roads.

Mitigation of pedestrian hazards,
including deteriorating sidewalk and
crosswalk conditions and other extant
ground obstructions that.could result in’
injury. | .

* Installation of wayside (outside) exhibits
and_directional signs.

Stabilization of cultural resources,
concentrating. on graffiti removal, and
abatement of safety hazards, including -
lead paint and asbestds,.hazardous waste
cleanup, and the removal of underground
storage tanks and associated soils.

, Enhancements at Fort Tompkins road
‘overlook.

® Provision of tours of historic resources as*
funding and staffing allow.

* Provision of maintenance facilities in the
Seabee complex.

. * Completion of a vegetation management

plan, to guide treatment. of the cultural: ”

landscape, and a sitewide archeological

study.
(Note: The egetation management*
plan will outline ways in which the
historic, open character of the :
landscape could be re-created and
describe ways to limit. vegetative

- succession, minimize erosion, and

"ensure visitor safety- with minimal
impact‘on historic resources.)

Initial development funding was the result of ©
a two-year appropriation that expired. .
September 30, 1995. The visitor center is:
scheduled to:-be completed in the summer of .
1996; the other items will be completed by:

/ early 1997.

Once all these actions have been completed,
the, National Park Service will seek funding
to implement.the approved plan (alternative
1 in the draft plan) as described in this final
Site Management Plan.

‘COMPATIBLE DEVELOPMENT FOR

NON-NPS OWNED PORTIONS —

* OF FORT WADSWORTH

By the very nature of its facilities and”
associated historic-uses, Fort Wadsworth has

: and will'continue to function-as a commun-

ity. Throughout its history, the’ fort has
sustained its'own housing, office spaces,.
maintenance areas, and food services, and it
has supported other services typically found
in a military, base. Most of these land uses." :

~ will continue; the Coast Guard: will use the

site for residences and office space, ‘and the
U.S. Army Reserve will. continue to use the

‘site for training and office space. With the

transfer of land to the National Park Service,
however, the fort’s natural and cultural _
Tesources become the. basis for new types of

‘land uses’ — cultural and natural resourcé

preservation and interpretation. The main.
access points, primary roads, bridge

‘easement, and utilities will be within the‘

portion of lands to be transferred to the
N ational Park Service.

13°


**. completion of the initial actions ‘that are

. PLANNING BACKGROUND ‘AND, METHODS

, “this final Site Managenint Plan differs from
that of a. development concépt Plan, th the
planning p Process i is the: sai

: SITE MANAGEMENT PLAN’

This final Site Management Plan LE Environ- vs
mental. Assessttient. provides policy direction
.and guidance for visitor tise, cultural and | °
natural resource management, appropriate

. Jevels of development, ‘and.operations at Fort -
"Wadsworth for. the next'20 years after the

underway. at the site (see later “Initial
Actions” section). :

"Site mianagemerit planning for Fort Wads-
worth: begari in 1993, At that time Gateway:
National Recreation: Area’s general super:

-_intendent began meeting with military and.

4 community leaders and with representatives _.

. from the private sector to discuss i issues, -
"- .pertaining to NPS management and occu:
* 'pancy of Fort Wadsworth. :

“In 1994 a planning team was assembled,
. composed of professionals skilled inthe’.
fields of military history, landscape

-architecture, architecture; environmental: *
.-analysis, cultural ‘resource management,”
-histori¢ Preservation, and interpretation. |

The first formal planning team meeting ‘was
held in May 1994. During’ this meeting the
purpose ‘Of the ‘fort was. defined, its: signif: °

icance'was determined, and planning i issues .~

were. identified. Following; that meeting. the
planning. team, coondinated a, seriés of |

: scoping. meetings, designed to solicit “
concerns and desires of interested, citizens
and community leaders regarding « develop-
ment, management, and preservation of the .
site. Discussion at the-meetings.focuséd on’
issues related to cultuzal and natural’ ‘
Tesource management and interpretation,
recreation, and regulatory requirements. oo

During 1994 and 1995 the National Park ”
Service, with the support of consultants,

3 ‘gathered data on the historical, ‘natural; and
. cultural resources of Fort Wadsworth: :

. Te. explain. the, ‘planning’ process and ‘describe
- the site’s purpose and significance’ to a broad

audience, the planning team distributed an ~ -

~-" informational néwsletter i in.sprifig 1995.to, -
. over 150 residents and institutions in the
: greater ! New, York City metropolitan area.

Based’ on the public comiments gathered

from.the various meetings and information
available from the research projects, the
planning team identified two alternatives for:
the future of Fort Wadsworth; The.two alter:

: natives, and the‘potential environmental
~-impacts of their implementation, were the

. focus of the Draft Site Management Plan |

” Environniental Assessment, which was ‘released
"in July 1995. Two public open houses were

held at the fort to solicit public comment on,
the ‘diaft plan; the. _ meetings were well: ..
attended — by about'400 people. Based on *
the. public comments received at these
meetings and in. formal correspondence, the
preferred, alternative from the draft plan,’ « -,
with slight modifications made to respond. to

_ public comments arid concerns, was selected
” as:the National Park Service’s:final plan

_ INTERPRETIVE THEMES

Based on. the site significance; the 1972 -
‘enabling legislation, ‘ and -the site resources,
the: planning team identified the following
primary and secondary themes to guide .
visitor interpretation at Fort Wadsworth. ;

“These interpretive themes define-what the «.”

Park Service believes that each visitor should --

- learn about the:site. In the event.of° finding

any significant evidence of prehistoric or’.

“historic Nativé American habitations, these

peoples will be interpreted in the context of |. *

. the history and development of the site.

2 Asa significant compoiient of the

‘American coastal defense system,.Fort | .
Wadsworth represents the evolution of-.
America’s concept of national'defense. -~



-CONTENTS

Background and Introduction 1
Establishment of the Site 1
Purpose and Need for Action 1
Site History 3
Site Description 4

Fort Tompkins 4
~Battery: Weed: 4
The Endicott-Era Batteries 5
Mont Sec Avenue (Officers’ Row) 5
Cultural Landscape 5 7
Nonhistoric Structures 5
Natural Features 6
‘Significance of. Fort Wadsworth 6
Site Purpose 6 :

. Planning Background and Methods 7
General Management Plan: 7°
- Site Management Plan 8
- Interpretive Thetnes 8
Goals and Obstacles 9
Resource Protection 9
Visitor Experience 9
Adaptive Reuse of Structures 10
Circulation and Access 10
Relationship of this Plan to Local and Regional Plans 11

Initial Actions ‘12
NPS-Owned Portions of the Site 12 : .
~ Compatible Development for NoreNPS Owned Portions of Fort Wadsworth 13

The Plan. 16

Concept 16
Visitor Experience anid the Historic Structures 17
Other Site Recreational Opportunities 22
Cultural Landscape .23

. Additional Research 23 :

: NPS Operations and Administration. ‘2
Cleanup of Hazardous Substances; Pollutants, and Contaniinants’ 25:
Costs and Implementation Strategy 25

Alternatives Considered but Rejected 27 .
Alternative 2— A Protected Cultural Resource (Continuation of Existing Trends) 27
Alternative 3 — Fort. Wadsworth as an Active Recreation Site 27
Alternative 4—— Fort Wadsworth as a Natural History Site 28
- Use of the Mont Sec Avenue’Homes 28


Federal Agencies / Officials

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65


THE PLAN

-A new 20-minute audiovisual présentation

: will provide an overview of the history and

" significance of Fort Wadsworth, highlighting
its strategic location in protecting New York,
the commercial importanceof New. York .
Harbor, and the fort's role in. the evolution
‘of coastal and harbor defense. Visitors will
be able to peruse artifacts and exhibits that
illustrate how the use and physical struc-
tures of Fort Wadsworth have.changed in
step. with military advancements. Visitors
can join a ranger-led tour to venture into the
damp, narrow, stone passageways of the

counterscarp gallery and then examine the -

restored: barracks and offices. (The counter-”
scarp gallery extended around three'sides of
the fort to protect it from land attack. Within
the counterscarp gallery, soldiers were able
to shoot through slots .in the wall into the

dry moat area between the wall and: the fort,”

. and the soldiers in the fort could also.shoot '
into this area, thus placing potential ~
attackers in a deadly cross fire.) The dry
moat will remain open for a short distance

“from the south side of the fort for the public
to see the moat and get a feeling of what the

* moat and counterscarp gallery were for.

During ‘periods of high visitation, visitors
will find interpreters costumed in the
artillery uniforms of the late 19th century.
These interpreters will describe what life and
military service were like at that time. Based
on further research, short skits and role-
playing may also portray how people lived °
at Fort Tompkins and what their motivations
were for serving. their country. Several areas
within the structure will be modernized to

* provide museum and office space or restored
to enhance visitor understanding. Should its
location be discovered, a portion of the
tunnel from Fort Tompkins to water level
will be opened for ranger-led tours.

Some-casemates will be rehabilitated for use
by school groups and others for a museum
and interpretive media. Other casemates and
offices will be interpreted as furnished :
exhibits. On weekends, reenactors may use
selected casemates as’ mess and bunk areas.
Visitors ‘will be able to walk the reseeded

parade ground (thus returning it to a more’
historic appearance) and read wayside
exhibits to find out more about Fort
Tompkins and the site in general.

Graffiti removal will be completed. Missing
or deteriorated building elements, such as _
windows, railings, and staircases, will be
repaired or replaced, and’ roofs will be
repaired to halt ongoing water damage. ©
Benches: will be installed adjacent to inter-

.. pretive signs along the top of the slope east

of Fort Tompkins.

Battery Weed

Visitors will be encouraged to tour Battery

- Weed, which will be rehabilitated, cleaned of

graffiti, and interpreted: to reflect its use
during the turn of the century. One side of
the guardhouse will be furnished to convey
period use. During periods of high use, -

. visitors will interact with costumed inter-

preters dressed in-circa 1900s uniforms. The
other side will be rehabilitated to house a
visitor orientation area, with restrooms,
exhibits, and interpretive materials that put
Battery Weed’s military use into context.
Interpreters’ offices will be on the second
floor of the guardhouse.

Inside Battery Weed, visitors can exaimine, in
, ‘their original positions, several reproduction

Rodman guns and flank howitzers. Reproduc-
tion coastal artillery will also be mounted on

~ the sod-covered barbette.tier. For safety, self-

guided access will be limited to the lower

- level of Battery Weed; all upper level access °

~ -will be through guided tours.

A section of the former moat on the land-

- ward'side of Battery Weed will be inter-

18.

preted. In Battery Weed, bricks and concrete .”
will be.removed from all casemate windows,
metal Totten shutters will be restored/
repaired/replaced,.and the door.at the inain
entrance will be-replaced..The lighthouse -. .
and magazine roofs will be restored, and the
suardhouse will be Partially restored.


: BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

of most of the land and will be bordered by

land to be operated by the U.S. Army
Reserve and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Fort Wadsworth’ strategic location was first
recognized by the British during their
occupation of New York beginning in 1776.
The geography of the Narrows formed’a -

" gatelike entrance to what would become the
most importarit port in the country..General
von Steuben called the Narrows “the place
‘pointed out by nature for the defense of the
‘harbor’ (Gilmore 1983). - : :

Fort Wadsworth has been used intermittently
.as a imilitary: fortification ‘for more.than two

centuries. Although no shot.was ever fired in -

battle from its fortifications, its imposing
presence was integral to the success of the

country’s coastal defense. Fort Wadsworth’s ~

historic resources are testimony to the
development of U.S. coastal fortifications, the
évolution of firearms and weaponry, and the
importance of having secured the “gateway
to America.”

. In.1979 the U.S. Army decided to vacate Fort
Wadsworth because it no longer needed the
‘property for military purposes. Four years
later, after the last of the U.S. Army service-
men had been relocated, the U.S. Navy.
selected the site as its New York homeport.
In late, 1993, as part of a congressionally
mandated military downsizing effort, the

_ U.S.-Navy closed Fort Wadsworth as a mili-
tary base. Currently the National Park
Service is overseeing the transition of a
portion of Fort Wadsworth from military in-
stallation to national park system unit as
required by the 1972 legislation that estab-
lished Gateway National Recreation Area
(see later “Initial Actions” section for more
detail).

-SITE DESCRIPTION

The portion of the site to be owned by the
National Park Service includes two major ~ |
Civil War era fortifications that are listed on
the National Register of Historic Places —

Battery Weed and Fort Tompkins. Twelve
other batteries and numerous military-

‘related structures on the site date from the

1850s to the 1990s, Site structures include a
wide variety of facilities typically found on
military bases, such as housing, barracks,
Offices, maintenance/storage facilities, a post

-_ exchange, and ancillary support facilities.

During its use as an active naval station,
substantial development occurred between
1987 and 1994 (see Development 1987-1994

| map in the draft plan).

Fort Tompkins

Fort Tompkins was-originally designed and —
built as a fortified barracks in support of
Battery. Weed. Built of granite and brick with
an earth-over-metal roof, the fort is a prime
example of the architectural “era'of stone
fortifications.” The fort is constructed on the
same site as an earlier sandstone fortifica-
tion. Construction of the first fort began in
1814; construction of the fort standing today
began in 1859 and was completed ‘in 1876.
Fort Tompkins is not only well preserved, it
is also.an outstanding example of Third ~

" System military architecture:

Spectacular views of New York Harbor and _
the New York City skyline can be seen from
the Fort Tompkins Road: overlook..

Battery Weed

- . Battery Weed, constructed of granite blocks,

isan important example of Third System,
military architecture from the mid-19th
‘century. At that time Battery Weed was one -
of the most powerful forts on the eastern
seaboard. Now Battery Weed ‘stands at the
water's edge on the Narrows, empty of ail
armaments but surprisingly well preserved.

“.In'1864, 102 cannons were mounted in

Battery Weed, and it-was garrisoned’by'a
large force from the Fifth Regiment, New
York Volunteers Artillery.-The battery. was
named after Brig. Gen. Stephen H. Weed of

.. the U.S. Volunteers, who was killed in the: ~


: connecting route along Father,Capodanno
Boulevard will be-eliminated. In addition, _
the Park Service will encoutage and support
the development and enhancement of pedes-
trian and bicycle links. throughout Staten
Island through. programs such as the Rivers
and Trails ‘Conservation Assistance program
(including the investigation of links across
the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge).

The National: Park Service will establish a
pedestrian path through the site on existing’
routes. Pedestrian access will-be provided
via the New York Avenue main gate and
will.be.limited to day use:

- The tradition of starting the New York .
Marathon from Fort Wadsworth will con
tinue. because it is an important; annual,
international event that has been associated
with the property. for over-25 years.

The presentation of events and other broad-
based recreational activities that will enhance
the site and visitor experience will be cor.
sidered ona case-by-¢ case basis by site ©
managers.

CULTURAL LANDSCAPE

Most of the batteries are overgrown with
‘mature trees, and several-sight lines critical
for understanding the military us¢ of Fort
Wadsworth are covered with dense vegeta-
tion. These areas include the'sections of the
slope from the overlook east.of Fort. “-
Tompkins down to the torpedo building and
the areas ‘between the batteries and the
shoreline. ‘Clearing of the batteries will be
done’ according to the recommendations of
the-vegetation-management plan (seé

_ “Additional Research” section below).

Pavement will be removed from Range.
Road, south of the picnic arga; and replaced
with gravel. An informal trail south of the
bridge will be developed ‘using existing.”

- pavement to'the greatest extent possible. The

Additional: Reseach

be allowed because of the igh lead content
in the soil.

: Additional topsoil and ground cover will: be
. brought in to cover hazardous tree roots and

_ Tepair damaged lawns. The use of pesticides

and other landscaping-related chemicals will
be kept to a minimum. Shade trees will be
planted adjacent to parking areas and non-
historic structures to improve visitor. comfort
and energy efficiency. . .

Archeological testing. and/or monitoring will

_ be done for any ground-disturbing activities.

ADDITIONAL RESEARCH

A number of studies. have been completed ‘to _
obtain information needed for managing the

7 site and preparing the site for initial visitor

use. These include a cultural resource’ report
(expected to be completed.in 1995), informa-
tion concerning graffiti removal (NPS North:
Atlantic Regional Office, Judy Jacob, archi-
tectural conservator, memio on “Treatment
Report for Test Applications of Graffiti
Removal” dated 2/2/95), an Interim
Interpretive Plan (see appendix G of the draft
plan), and a Woody Plant Inventory (Olmsted

._, Center 1995). An NPS inventory of the site

for threatened and endangered ‘plant species
will be completed in fall:1995. A National
Register of Historic Places nomination is in ©

. progress for Fort Wadsworth that will en- .

compass thé entire base. A vegetation

. management plan and a sitewide archeologi-

cal study will also be completed as part of
the initial actions effort. In the event of

finding any significant evidence of prehis-

toric or historic Native American habitations,

_. these peoples will be interpreted in the

. development of community gardens will not .

23

context of the history and development of
the site.

Several additional studies ‘and ‘reports will be
required. before the pian can be implemen-
ted. The list of studies includes, but is not
limited to, an ethnographic study, historic
structure reports for Mont Sec homes and
the Endicott-era batteries, and historic fur-


APPENDIXES

pre 1940

140_| Rod and gun club. c NPS
141 - |: North dock/supply wharf ¢. 1850 Cc NPS
147_| Torpedo storage 1994 c NPS.
148 | General warehouse 1939 c_-|_ Nps
150__| Guardhouse 1861 Cc} Nps
-151| Battery Weed 1861 | Cc | NPS
155: | Battery Catlin 1902-04 c__|: NPS
201 | North gatehouse 1990 NC : NPS:
203 | Chapel -1963 NC _-| NPS
204 _| Gymnasiuin 1962 NC_|- other_|
205 | ‘Theater _ 1960 NC_-| other .
206 Post exchange — commissary 1960 NC other
208_| Administrative office 1961 NC_|_ other
209_| Admin/computer center 1960. NC other
210 | Infantry battalion barracks 1929: c : :_NPS
2u1_|-Open warehouse 1939 NPS
214 | Electric distr. 1962 NC -| other
215A-F| Bachelor enlisted quarters building 1990 NC}. other
| .216 "| Dining facility (BEQ)/galley 1990 NC_| other
220 | Gate office : “1989 NC_| “Nps
221_| Handball court 1960 Nc’ |. other.
222 _| Housing 1962__|'_NC_] other
223° | Housing 1960 NC || other
301:_| Motor pool 1938 NPS
302 _| Motor pool 1937_. NPS.
303 _| Motér pool office 1938 NPS
305 . |! Administrative office 1900 ¢c NPS -
306_| Warehouse “_1960 “NC NPS
307__| Ready magazine “1910 ¢€ NPS
309_ | Stables (storage) _'1931 c NPS
310_| NPS office 3 1927 -| ¢_| (NPS
315 _| Battery Upton 1896-99" | _C NPS:
316 1898 c NPS

‘Battery Barbour

94



of

“tort Prichenbend Owain

Rel.



Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Construc-
tion began in 1847 and ended during the
Civil War. :

Dramatic views of the harbor and city
: skyline are also visible from the barbette tier
‘in n Battery Weed.

The Endicott-Era Batteries

Fort Wadsworth’s 12 Endicott-era
(1895-1904) batteries were constructed under-
the direction of Secretary of War William C.
Endicott as part. of the reconstruction of
America’s coastal defense system. While”
these batteries did mount other types of |
guns, they are significant examples of
Endicott-era emplacements for breech-
loading rifles, mounted on disappearing:
carriages. There are portions of these
structures that were constructed out of”
earlier batteries dating to the Civil War
period and possibly as early as 1808-10: The
‘Endicott batteries have been determined
eligible for the National Register of Historic
Places, having significance that'spans the ©
"first two-decades of the’ 20th century.

Mont Sec Avenue (Officers’ Row)

Mont Sec Avenue and its associated 11
residential structurés represent a cohesive
streetscape, both architecturally and through
their association with Fort Wadsworth as the
location of officers’ housing. The stately

“homes along the avenue lined with London

” plane trees date from the late 19th century _
into the 1930s. (Building 103 dates from the
1870s.)

Cultural Landscape

The 226-acre Fort Wadsworth represents a
cultural landscape that.is diverse.and com-
plex: Owing to its distinct pattern of more
than two’centuries of military development, ©
the ‘character and appearance of Fort. Wads-

Site Description

worth varies, widely from area to area within
the base.

. In the northeast portion of the site, the Fort

Tompkins and Battery Weed area represent
the. historic core. of Fort Wadsworth. The
massive, cut‘stone Battery Weéd protrudes

“, out into thé Narrows, looming over the ~

water. Behind it the land rises sharply up'a
bank to Fort Tompkins (more-than 150 feet
above sea level). Along Mont Sec Avenue”

there are eleven 2- to-2%-story brick facade .

’ and board-and-batten structures that were
‘used for officers’ housing. Lined on both’
sides by these structures, generous side-

walks, graceful London plane trees, and
decorative light standards, Mont-Sec Avenué |
has the character of an attractive residential ”
neighborhood: From building 109 (the
officers’ club) at the end of Mont Sec
Avenue, there are scenic views of the- harbor.
New York Avenue, which. bisécts the
northern portion of.the site from north to

:, south, has served.as the tain street of Fort

Wadsworth since the. turn of thé century.

. From the east-west portion of New York

Avenue to the south, the land slopes sharply
down to a sand. beach.

Vegetation growth was controlled through |
World War II to retain critical military. sight.
lines. The dramatic views of New York

‘Harbor that brought visitors to the base in

the 19th century remain.an important feature.
at Fort Wadsworth, as does'thée varied and

steep topography. .

‘ Nonhistoric Structures

” Nonhistoric structures also, exist within. the
‘portion of land ‘to be transferred to the

National Park Service, including building 120

-with‘its recently constructed three-story brick
_ facade, three.multiunit 1990s residential

Structures on New Mexico Court, and
numerous ancillary support structures.

A towering presence that-dwarfs the military - ;
fortifications is the Verrazano-Narrows

Bridge, which was begun in 1959 and


APPENDIX B: LIST OF STRUCTURES

‘The following consolidated list of structures at and structures but does not include objects or

Fort Wadsworth (based. ori information.‘ other landscape features such as roads, ‘walls ..
provided by the U.S. Navy, OZ Architecture, | or fields. It should further'be'noted that this
and NPS staff) includes building number, ‘ list has not been completely. field checked, and -
name, date, and status’as contributing or non- that further research and field work may reveal
_ contributing (NC or C) within the:proposed changes in name, date, and national register“

historic district. This list is limited-to buildings ~ status. |

TABLE E-1. FORT WADSWORTH BUILDING INVENTORY.

101_| Housing: j : : Ps q933 c NPS
102 | Housing et 1939 ¢c Nps
103__|. Housing ote ¢.1870. |. C NPS.
-104” | Detached garage." : yo 1936 € NPS
“105 _| Detached garage 1932 c._| NPs
106 | Housing ; : 1932 c NPS
107_| Housing = : 1932 c-| ines
109 | Administrative (former officers’ club) _-| -, 1938 ¢ NPS -
110 | Housing : . : 1933 c..[ NPS"
111_| Housing : 1890 Cc NPS,
112} Housing : oo _7 [1890 c+ Nps
113 - | Housing” |e 180 c_|_Nrs
114__| Housing [1889 c NPS.
115__| Housing” . - . . <1933, Cc NPS.
116_| Detached.Garage’ . 1935 ¢ NPS
117_| Detached garage _ we [i995 fc] nes
118 _| Housing ‘ : 1960 (NC | NPS
119 | Housing ‘| 1939 | c-| ines
120 __| Offices/visitor center : ~__ 1994 NC, | NPS
125’ | Substation oe : 1940 c NPS
133: | Battery Duane . isss-97 | .c NPS.
137 Fort Tompkins’. : 1859-76 | _c_“|-. NPS
138 MARS station (inside wall at ‘Tompkins) 1900 Cc NPS
139 c NPS

Signal storage’ Giriside wall'at Tompkins) 1991

- 93


BIBLIOGRAPHY -

Office of Borough Président; Staten Island,
New York
1994. Staten Island Bikeway and ‘Cultural Trail.
Copy available through. superintendent,
Staten Island Unit, NY.

Olmsted Center for Landscape’ Preservation
1995 . “Preliminary Report on the‘ Woddy

Vegetation of Fort Wadsworth.”
Prepared in cooperation with the
Amold Arboretum and Gateway
National Recreation Area staff. Copy
available through superintendent,
Staten Island Unit,.NY.

Soil Conservation Service, U.S. Department of
Agriculture,
1992 Natural Resources Management Plan.
Prepared for the U.S. Navy by Robert
E. Myers and Frederick B. Gafney. °
Copy available through superintendent,
Staten Island Unit, NY.

US. Army Military History Institute
1963, History of Fort Wadsworth, New York,
1636-1955. Prepared by Comptroller .
section..Copy available through
_ Superintendent, Staten Island Unit, NY.

US. 5, Department of ‘Transportation, US. Coast
Guard .-
1995: Final Environmental Assessment for the
Closure of Support Center New York,
Governors Island, New York.

US. Navy, Department of Defense _.
1984 -Draft Environmental Impact Statement for
, ' -the Surface Action Group Homeporting at
Stapleton/Fort Wadsworth Complex, Staten
Island, New York: Prepared for the
Commander in Chief of the US.
Adlantic Fleet, Copy available through
superintendent, Staten Island Unit, NY.
: (Includes Appendix C: Cultural
Resources Survey)

1985 Stapleton-Fort. Wadsworth Complex, Staten
"Island, New York, Final Environmental
Impact Statement. Copy available

* through superintendent, Staten Island
Unit, NY-
. (ncludes appendix C covering
national register evaluation of
cultural resources.) :
1993 Detailed Building Inventory of Naval Shore
” Facilities. Copy available through
superintendent, Staten Island Unit, NY.

: Walmsley & Company, Inc.

98

1988 The North Shore Esplanade Plan, Staten |
Island, New York. Prepared for the
Department of City Planning, City of -
New York. Copy available through

~ - “superintendent, Staten Island Unit, NY.


Federal Agencies / Officials

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67


PLANNING BACKGROUND AND METHODS .

cultural, and: natural resources of Fort
_Wadsworth and New York Harbor and the
connection of these resources to: other
Gateway. National Recreation Area resources

* and stories. Cooperative efforts of site
managers.and other partners yield exciting
‘educational programs and provocative
interpretive exhibits. :

Obstacles. Little is known about the
potential clientele for Fort Wadsworth’s
interpretive services. When the U.S. Army
was operating a museum at Fort Tompkins,
before. 1979, schoolchildren.wereé its
predominant clientele during the week and .
tourists were predominant on weekends.
‘Also, there is a perception that Fort
Wadsworth is remote from Manhattan. This

may result in difficulty attracting norrStaten- :

Island visitors to the site.

Very few artifacts original to the:site have
been found to date at Fort Wadsworth. Most.
objects known to be connected with the fort
“are exhibited at Fort. Hamilton in Brooklyn.
Theé.small number of available site-related
objects pose challenges for interpretation and
the development of a site museum. .

Fort Tompkins.and Battery Weed are .
dwarfed by. the, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge,
which spans the Narrows from Staten Island
: t6 Brooklyn. Bisected-by the bridge, the site ”
is directly beneath and adjacent ‘to the bridge
access Tamp and toll plaza. The proximity of
the bridge exposes visitors to noise and
emissions associated with bridge traffic.

Adaptive Reuse of Structures

Goal. All Fort Wadsworth structures ad-
ministered by the National Park Service are
fully used for purposes that are compatible
with the preservation and interpretation of
the fort’s historic resources. Military forti-

. ‘fications are protected, preserved, arid used
for interpretation. Other historic structures,
such as the infantry. battalion barracks

(building 210) and Mont Sec Avenue houses, »

are adaptively, reused for appropriate pur-

poses. The revenue generated from: permit- -
ting tenants to. use historic-and nonhistoric
structures on a reimbursable basis may. help
cover maintenance and utility costs.

Obstacles. Few of the structures.at Fort
Wadsworth are accessible to visitors with
disabilities and meet the criteria set forth in
the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards and”
the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, no
structures have been developed in accor-

dance with sustainable design principles. The.

. buildings must-be brought into compliarice

with applicable NPS regulations before they
can be adaptively reused. ~~

Visitors’ -requirements for access to the fort's
historic resources-must be balanced with

_ tenants’ requirements for security and

privacy. The potential for use conflicts (ie., .
among residences, maintenance facilities, and
offices) must be mitigated.

Circulation and Access

Goal. Traveling to Fort Wadsworth, by land
and by sea, is a memorable experience. A
wide range of affordable transportation

modes, including frequent ferry service, is

available and accessible to visitors, including .
those whose mobility is impaired. Visitors

.can also bicycle to.Fort Wadsworth, Miller .

Field, and Great: Kills on well-marked, safe ©
bicycle paths. Once on the site, visitors are
able to stroll, bicycle, or take frequent
alternative-fuel shuttles to tour site
resources. .

Obstacles. Access to Fort Wadsworth via
tmass transit is extremely limited; there is no”
subway or ferry service to the fort, and
portions of existing bicycle routes on Staten
Island are dangerous. Private vehicle and

= limited bus, access are the only means by

- 10

which a visitor can easily get to Fort
Wadsworth.

In the future, fenants from a variety of
military and other agencies will occupy Fort
Wadsworth’s office buildings and residences.


Appendix B: List of Structures

1899

NPS

316A: | Battery Bacon Cc
316B._| Battery Tumbull 1902-03 |“ -c NPS
317 | Batiery Hudson .~ “1898-99 | _c | NPs
318 _| Battery Mills 1899-1900 |: C_|_NPS
‘|. 319- | Battery Dix 1902. | -c__|:_ NPs
'320_|-Command post 1943 c NPS°
321 Battery Barry 1897-99 c NPS:
399°: | Small arms rangé/hangar 1944 c._| Nps
352] Carriage club : 1921 c NPS.
354 _| Police station . 1960 NC NPS
355°_| Ammo storage ‘1960 | 'NC: | _NPS
°356 Resetvé training building 1974 NC other
357_| Vehicle shop 97 NC _-|. other
358 _| Public works shop “1992 NC +} other.
375 . | Gas station ND NC_|._NPs
“404 West gatehouse 1938. | ¢-. | “NPS:
406 _| Gatehouse pre 1895 ‘LL Nps -
408_| Navy Lodge 191 NC--}. other
421_-| Battery Richmond 1898-99 NPS
422_| Battery Ayers 1900-1901 NPS
~ 423. | Housing 1999 NC_| other
424. | Housing 1989 _NC other
425 _} Housing 1989 | NC_| other
426 || Housing 1989 NC] other =
427_| Housing 1989 Ne_| other
428 | Housing 1989" | (NC | other
429 _| Housing 1989 NC_| other
430 "| Housing 1999 =| .NC_| - other
431_| Housing 1989 NC_|' other
432_| Housing * 1989 ‘Ne_ | other
-433_| Housing 1989 NC ‘| * other
434 “| Housing as90_. | -NC_| ‘other
435 | Housing 1989 Ne || ‘other

95



; “cote Dope for Non-NPS Owned Portions F Fort Wadsworth.”

Expand public use and inienpretation of

the batteries south of the bridge, the Nike’

missile, command post, the stable, and
- other areas, as appropriate.

Enhance interpretation of interpretive
themes 2 and/3.

“Adapi building 306 for collections storage.

s Tf-the theater (building 205) and

__exchange/commissary (building 206).and

* adjacent aréa: become available, the-Park’ -

Sérvice would develop a_ plan for the..

» northwest quadrant of the site, remove.

‘those buildings, and develop ‘recommer-..
- dations regarding the-restoration of: the. .

landscape in this area “after the buildings

» are removed.

‘if the gyanrasivi (building 204) coat :

. available, it would be operated as:a‘

gyinnasium, managed by a federal agency _

‘or nonprofit -group for the Staten Island

“-conimunity. Cominunity meeting rooms

would also be managed by'the agency or. 5
nonprofit. group. Rooms:below the'gym "
could function as a workout space. for Fort

Wadsworth residents and workers.

45



ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

legislation such.as the Antiquities Act of
1906; the National Environmental Policy Act,
and the National Historic Preservation Act
(described below). Cultural ‘resources at Fort
Wadsworth will be mianaged in accordance
with these acts and.in accordance with
chapter 5 of NPS Management Policies, the

- Cultural Resource Management Guideline (NPS-

~ 28), the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for
the Treatment of Historic Properties, the
Secretary of the Interior’s. Standards for
Rehabilitation, Guidelines for the Rehabilitation
of Historic Buildings, the Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for Archeology and Historic
Preservation, and other relevant policy
directives.

As part of its cultural resources management
responsibilities, the National Park Service: ,
surveys and evaluates all cultural resources
on lands under its jurisdiction. Cultural
Tesourtes are evaluated by applying the
criteria for the. National Register of Historic
Places. All cultural resources eligible for the
National Register of Historic Places will be
recorded and/or measured according to the,
highest professional standards.

In accordarice with the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (PL. 101-336 et seq. »
the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 .
USC 4151 et seq.), the Rehabilitation Act of
1973 (29 USC 701 et seq.), and Uniform

Federal Accessibility Standards, all facilities and ,

programs developed at Fort Wadsworth will
. be made as accessible as possible given the
site’s historic preservation constraints.

* Section 106 of the: National Historic ”
Preservation Act of 1966.(16 USC 470), as
amended,.Executive Order 11593, and _ |
section 110 of the Archeological Resources
Protection Act of 1979 establish the
obligations of the federal government
regarding activities proposed in or affecting

“properties on or eligible for listing on the
National Register of Historic Places: Federal °
agencies are required to take into account .
the potential effects of their activities on
protected resources and to allow the
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

(ACHP) and appropriate state authorities an
opportunity fo comment. Toward that end,
the National Park Service is. working with
the New York state historic preservation

_ office GHPO) and the Advisory Council on.

Historic Preservation to meet the require-
ments of the August 1990 programmatic
agreement among the National Conference
of State Historic Preservation. Officers, the
advisory council, and the National Park
Service. The programmatic agreement
requires thé Park Service to work closely _
with the state historic preservation office and
the advisory council in planning new and. “~
existing areas. (See “Consultation and
Coordination” section for a description of
consultation regarding the fort.)°

This agreement also provides fora number
of programunatic exclusions for actions that
are not likely to have an adverse effect on

. cultural resources (see table 2). These actions

may be implemented without further SHPO °

-or ACHP review, thus reducing required

consultation. Actions not specifically.
excluded in the programmatic agreement
must be reviewed by the state historic
preservation office and the advisory council
during the design stage and before imple:’

7 mentation.

Internally, the National Park Service.will ©

“complete a section 106 form (“Assessment of

Actions Having an Effect on Cultural

” Resources”) before implementing’ any pro-

posed actions. The section 106 form
documents any project effects, outlines.
actions proposed: to mitigate such effects,
and documents that the proposed action
flows from the final Site Management Plan. -
Cultural resource specialists specified in
NPS-28 will use the section 106 form to
review and certify all proposed actions,
affecting cultural resources. _

All ground-disturbing actions. will be .
preceded by an archeological evaluation to.
determine the level‘of archeological investi-
gation required before construction can
begin. Should any. such resources be identi- -
fied, the state historic preservation office and


Appendix A: Enabling Legislation

1310 *- .S PUBLIC LAW 92-592-OCT. 27,1972 [86 Star.
cabelas (c) ‘The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements
+ agreementa. with the States of: New York.and New Jersey, or any political sub-
division thereof; for the rendering, on a reimbursable basis, of rescue,

firefighting, and law enforcement services and cooperative assistance
by nearby law.enforcement and fire preventive agencies. — -

gctater resource (d) The authority of the Secretary of the Army to undertake or
evelopmest®- “contribute ‘to water resource ‘developments, including shore erosion

control; beach’ protection, and navigation improvements. (including ._
the deepening of the shipping channel from the Atlantic Oceani to the | ~
New: York:harbor) on land and/or waters: within the recreation area
shall be exercised ih accordance'with plans which are mutually accept-
able, tothe Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the Army
and which are consistent with. both the purpose of this Act-and the -
purpose ‘of: existing ‘statutes dealing with water.and related land
. resource development. : : .

Atrway foctil- - (@) The authority of the Secretary of Transportation to maintain
eiietionemtie and ‘operate existing’ airway facilities and to install necessary new
statletion, facilities within the recreation area shall be exercised in accordance

‘ with plans which are mitually acceptable to the Secretary of the In-

terior and the Secretary of Transportation and which are consistent

with both the purpose of this‘ Act and the purpose of existing statutes

dealing with the establishment, maintenance..and operation of ‘uirway

facilities: Provided, That nothing in this section shall authorize the

expansion of airport runways into Jamaica Bay or air facilities. at
. Floyd Bennett Field. . ~ . ne

Hunting, (sh (f) The Sécrétary shall permit hunting. fishing, shellfishing. trap-

‘eg. and-trappiod.. ying, and the taking of specimens on.the lands and: waters under his
jurisdiction within the Gateway National Recreation Area in accord-
‘ance with the applicable laws of the United States and.the laws of the
* States of New York and New Jersey and political subdivisions thereof,
except that the Secretary may designate zones where and. éstablish
perioils when these activities may not be permitted for‘reasons of pub-
lic safety, administration, fish or wildlife management, or public use

Le and enjoyment. . .
seamdy Heck end. (g¢)- In the Sandy: Hook and Staten Island Units, the Secretary.

unten ‘shall inventory and evaluate all sites and structures having present

. and potential historical, cultura); or architectural significance and shall
provide for appropriate programs for the. presérvation, restoration,

interpretation, and utilization of them. ‘ .

Donationo, (h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary is

. authorized to accept donations of funds from individuals, founda-
tions, or corporations :for the purpose of providing services and facili- .:

* ‘ties which he deems consistent: with the. purposes of this Act.

- Gateway Nation: Sec. 4. (a) There is hereby established a Gateway National Recren-
aunscts Goreie. tion Area: Advisory -Commission: (hereinafter referred to -as: the
sion, establish~ . Commission”), Said Commission shall terminate ten years after the
ments termination. . date of the establishment of the recreation area.. eg

_ Membership, (b) The Conimission shall be’ composed of eleven members each.

appointed for a term of two years. by the Secretary as follows:

({1).two members to be appointed from recommendations made
by ‘the Governor of the State of New York; :

(2). two members to be appointed from recommendations made
by the Governor of the State of.New Jersey; ~ :

(8) two.members tobe appointed from recommendations made

- by the mayor of New York City; -

(4) two membérs to be appointed from recommendations made

by the mayor of Newark, New Jersey; arid

“91


ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED ©

During the Fort Wadsworth planning
process; three other alternative concepts
were considered but rejected as nonviable
options for the following reasons.

_ ALTERNATIVE 2 — A PROTECTED
CULTURAL RESOURCE (CONTINUA-
TION OF EXISTING TRENDS)

This alternative, which was presented i in the

* Draft. Site Management Plan./ Environmental
Assessment, represented a continuation of:
existing trends after completion of the initial
actions. No additional actions would have ~:~
been proposed under this alternative except
the restoration of the seawall and the
preservation of the dock arid other actions

_ Necessary to preserve historic structures. This
alterriative. reflected a condition of economic
uncertainty. A brief summary of this alter-
native and impacts is:presented below; see
the draft plan for more. detailed information.-

Under alternative 2, interpretive tours and
other programs about the site’s haman and
natural history would have. been provided.
Visitors would have fourid ‘educational
opportunities at Fort Wadsworth. The" fort s
contributions ta-the defense of New York
Harbor and adjacent.coasts would have been
interpreted at the visitor center in building
120-where Visitors would also have obtained
information about the fort, its significance,
and its major themies.. There would have

- been no ferry access to the site or shuttle |
system within the site under this alternative.
Automobile access would have been limited
to the visitor center, except for the disabled.
who would have parked near the Fort
Tompkins overlook and Battery Weed.
Access via. mass transit would have been
encouragéd by providing information
regarding bus routes.

Educational exhibits would have been only
in the visitor center, and existing outdoor ~
wayside exhibits would have been retained.

There would have been no comprehensive
smuseum. Except for Battery Weed and Fort
Tompkins, no other fortifications would have
been open ta visitors: Opportunities for.
additional exploration, ¢ other than Fort no
Tompkins and Battery Weed, would have

.. been severely limited.

Mont Sec Avenue homes would have ;
remained in their current use (for military
and NPS. housing).

Buildings 109 (officers’ ‘club), 140 (the Tod

-and gun club); 339 (the small arms range/

hangar), 352 (the carriage house), 354 (the. °
police station), 355 (ammo storage), 404 (the
west entrance gatehouse), and 406 (the

_ gatehouse) would have been pieserved and

remained closed: All other historic structures’
would have continued to be preserved.

Recreational activities — provided after the
completion of the initial actions — would
have included walking, birding, bicycle
Tiding, kite flying; and other unstructured
activities. .

This alfernative was rejected because ‘it
embraces educational and interpretive
opportunities at Fort Wadsworth to a
minimal ‘degree. The majority of those who
responded during the public involvement

. period found alternative 1, the plan

presented in this final document, to be”
preferable to alternative 2.

ALTERNATIVE 3 — FORT WADSWORTH

‘.. AS AN ACTIVE RECREATION SITE

‘The opportunities for active recreation at *
Fort Wadsworth were examined within the
context of. the site’s purposes, significant
historic resources, ‘and the suitability of -
increasing, recreational opportunities and the
accompanying impacts on the resources.

‘Providing for more active recreation at.the ©

fort was.also considered in‘the context of the

7



. “Many significant historic features are very_!
close. to' the residences, Providing a visitor
“eirculation- system: that inspires a sense of
exploration but discourages ‘public access’ to

aréas that primarily support other activities |

will presént:a challenge to site. managers.

RELATIONSHIP OF THIS PLAN TO.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL PLANS.

The recomieiidations proposed i in this final :

Site Management Plan:]. Environmental :
“Assessment, are corsistent with n numerous

‘Réaionship of this Plan to Loci an Reo Plls

planning ‘studies’ conducted by “the New’
York City, Department of City Planning and

- the Office of the. Borough-President

Specifically, the increased: public ‘access, the :

Provision of public:open’space, and the.
". “designation of pedestrian and bicycle routes:

recommended in‘this plan support proposals
contained. in several municipal planning. « ‘ ° '

: studies — stich as the ‘New: York. Compre-
"hensive Waterfront Plari, the North Shore

~Esplanade Plan for: Staten Island; New York, a

Greenway Plan. for New York City, and the’ ”
Staten Island Bikeway and Cultural Trail. *-

a



List.of Agencies and Organizations Receiving or Reviewing Copies of the Draft Plan

‘Advisory Council’ on. Historic. Preservation
Alice Austen House

American Institute of Architects

American Littoral Society.

American Youth Hostel*

Architects, Designers, and Plainners for Social
. Responsibility _

. Association for a Better New York J
Battery Weed Living History Association
Borough Historian, Staten Island
Brooklyn Sports Foundation. .

Coast Defense Study Group
Community Boards T and 2, Borough of
Staten Island :
Community’ Board 3, Borough of Staten.
Tsland*
Council on America’s Military Past*
’. Department of Defense, Defense Logistics
“Agency. :
Department of Defense, Us Ss. Navy
Down State Living History. Association*
_ Environmental Protection Agency*. ©
Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department
of the Interior
Floating the Apple
Friends of Clearwater
. Friends of Gateway :
Friends of Trashed Rivers
Harbor Deferise Museum
Historic House Trust of New: York City
Hudson River Foundation ~ .
Hudson River Park Conservancy .
Korean War Veterans Association*
Lighthouse Research for Preservation
‘Municipal Arts Society of New York
“Museum of the City of New York’ -
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Neighborhood Open Space Coalition
New Jersey Public. Library
New York City Audubon Society.
New York City Board of Education
New York City Department of Parks. and
Recreation*
New York City Department of City Planning °
New. York City Department of,
Environmental Protection
New York City Department of
‘Transportation

New York City Landmarks Preservation
Commission . .

New York Harbor Lights! :

New York State Council on the Arts

New York State Department of Coastal. ©
Resources

New, York State Department of
Environmental Conservation

New York State, Department of State*

New York State Officé of Parks, :
Recreation, and Historic Preservation

New York Historical Society

New York Landmarks Conservancy ~

New York Public Library.”

New York Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals

Office of the Honorable Alfonse D’Amato

Office of the. Honorable Daniel P.
Moynihan | .

Office of the'Honorable Guy V. Molinari*

Office of the Honorable Susan Molinari*

Office of the Mayor of the City of New. *
York,

. Port Authority of New. York and New

Jersey
Preservation League of Staten Island
Protectors of Pine Oak Woods

* Real Estate Board of New York
.. Regional Plan Association

Road Runners Club

* Scenic-Hudson

Snug Harbor Cultural Center
Staten Island Advance.
Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

". Staten Island Council of Social Studies

Teachers
‘Staten Island Geological ‘Society,
Staten Island Institute of Arts. and Sciences*
Staten Island Historical Society.

'» Staten Island Science Teachers Association

Superintendent, School District 31

. Theatre Rehabilitation for Youth*

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

Trust for Public Land, ~ :

United Fishermens’ Association of New ©
‘York State

_ United States Army Corps of Engineers ,
“United States Army Reserve “

United States Coast Guard



CONTENTS -

Affected Environment 29
Cultural Features’ 29
Historic Structures 29
Cultural Landscape 31
Archeological Resources 32.
_ Museum Collections 33
_ Natural Features 33
Vegetation’ 33
Wildlife Habitat 34
Threatened and Endangered Species 34
. Agricultural Lands/Soils 34
Wetlands, Floodplains, and ‘Water Quality 35
Climate and Air Quality. 35
Topography and Geologic Resources: 35
’. Asbestos, Underground Storage Tanks, and Hazardous Waste 36°
The Neighborhood and the Socioeconomic Environment 36
Transportation 36:
Noise and Traffic 36 °
Land Use 36 _
Utilities .37 .
Visitor/Resident Use 37

Environmental Assessment 38
Introduction 38 :
Impacts on Visitor Experience 38
Impacts on-Cultural Resources 39
Effects on Historic Structures 39
Impacts on the Cultural Landscape 41
Effects on. Archeological Resources’: 41
Effects on Museum Collections 41
* Impacts on Natural Resources’ 41. - ”
- . Impacts on Vegetation 41
Impacts on Wildlife Habitat 41
Impacts on Threatened and Endangered Species 42
” Impacts on Agricultural-Lands/Soils 42
Impacts on Wetlands, Floodplains, and Water Quality 42
Impacts.on Air Quality 42. . ;
‘Impacts on Topography and Geologic Resources 42
- Impacts on Asbestos, Underground Storage Tanks, and Hazardous Waste 43
Impacts, on the Neighborhood and the Socioeconomic Envitonment 43
Impacts on Transportation, Noise, and Traffic 43°
Impacts on the Community 43
Impacts on Utilities 44 ..
- Impacts on NPS Operations and Administration 44.
Unavoidable Adverse" * Impacts 44

vi



APPENDIX A: ENABLING LEGISLATION —
1308 (PUBLIC LAW 92-592-0CT. 27,1972 {p6 Star.

Public. Law-92-592 Doo
: AN ACT
To establish the Gateway National Recreation Aren in tlie States of New York
. and New Jersey, and for other purposes,

October 27, 1972"
"tS. 18823

. : :
(Be it enacted by the Senate and- House of Reprexentatives of. the
Cuited States of America in Congress assembled,. Tist inorder to
preserve and. protect ‘for the tise and enjoyment of present and future
venerations.an ‘area possessing outstanding natural and recreational
° features, the Gateway National Recreation Area (hereinafter referred

toas the “recreation area”) is hereby established.

(a) The'recreation arca shall comprise the following lands, waters,
marshes, ahd subinerged lands in the New. York Harbor area generally
depicted on the map entitled “Boundary Map, Gateway National Rec-
reation Area,” numbered 951-40017 shects 1 through 3. and dated
May, 1972" . . . res

(L) Jamaica Bay Unit—including all islands, marshes, lassocks,
submerged lands, and -waters in Jamaica Bay, Floyd Bennett
Field, the lands generally located between highway route.27A4 and
Jamaica Bay, and the area‘of Jamaica Bay. up to the shoreline of ~

John F. Kennedy International Airport; .

.. (2) Breezy Point Unit—the entire area betiveen the eastern
boundary of Jacob Riis Park and the. westernmost point of the,
peninsula ; a : 7 ye

(3) Sandy Hook Unit—the entire arca, bétween Highway 36
Bridge and ‘the notthernmost point of the peninsula;

(4) Staten Island Unit—including Great Kills Park, Miller
Field (except for-approximately 26 acres which are to be made
available for public school purposes), Fort Wadsworth, arid the

. waterfront lands located between the streets designated as Cedar

. Grove Avenue; Seaside Boulevard,.and Drury. Avenue.and the

.bay from Great Kills to Fort Wadsworth;. .

(5) Hoffman and Swinburne Islands; and .

(6) All’submerged lands, islands, and waters within one-fourth
of a mile of the mean low water line of any -waterfront area
inctuded: above. . . : 7

(b) The map referred to in this section ’shall be on file and avail-
able for public inspection in'the offices of the National Park Service,

Preeabens feht pee Department of the Interior, Washington, District of Columbis..After

in Federal Regis- Advising the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United
tere States House of Representatives and the United States Senate in
writing; the Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the: .
“Secretary”) is authorized to make minor ‘revisions of the boundaries
of the recreation area when necessary by publication of'a revised draw-
ing or other boundary description in.the Federal Register. ©

- Sec. 2..(a) Within the boundaries of the recreation area, the Secre-
tary may acquire lands and waters or interests therein by donation,
purchase or exchange, except that lands owned by. the States of New
York or New Jersey or any political subdivisions thereof may. be
acquired only by donation, : .

_ Gateway Nations
a) Rec jon *
rr

. Lands, watera,
: sequiaition.

89


. | AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

story buildings built in the early 1990s and _

known as the BEQ (bachélor’s enlisted
quarters) complex (see Development

_ 1987-1994 map in the draft plan). At the
same time as the bridge construction, the
gym, theater, post exchange, and chapel
were constructed. - *

Just. south of the bridge, New York Avenue
turns west (the former Richmond Avenue) __
and is lined by a variety of utilitarian
structures relating to the daily. operation of
thé base. From this part of New York
Avenue to the south, the land ‘slopes sharply.

- down to a sand beach that lines the southern
shore. During the late 1980s this area was
cleared for the construction of 32 three-story
-multiunit residential buildings.

Vegetative growth was controlled through
World War II to retain critical military sight
lines.. The dramatic views of New York

Harbor, which brought visitors to the base in.

~ the 19th century, remain an important
feature at Fort Wadsworth, as does the _
varied and steep topography. A dominant
feature of the local landscape is the ‘span of
the Verrazano-Narrows suspension bridge
which passes: directly over the center of the’ °
site.

In-summary, character defining features of
the cultural landscape at Fort Wadsworth
include - :

¢ the approximately 1/3 of the-buildings at
the-post that pre-date World War II

* the historic boundary

© the circulation system, including entrances

on New York Avenue and Richmond

Avenue .

the open, parklike feeling throughout

much of the base, including older trees,

both native and planted

¢ the varied, and at times dramatic
topography throughout.the base

‘-* the dramatic views of New York Harbor

from several Points + within the military
base

: - Archeological Resources _

A systematic archeological inventory of Fort
Wadsworth has not been undertaken.
However, based on limited archeological
testing completed by the US. Navy.in |
support of.the environmental impact state-
ment for the homeport and archeological.
work undertaken in the area’surrounding "
Fort Wadsworth, there is a reasonably high
likélihood of prehistoric and pre-Fort
Wadsworth era: archeological resources re-
maining on fort grounds. There is a high
probability of finding resources with military
significance. This is born out by recent ,
archeological testing at the site of old Fort

Morton.

The earliest prehistoric resources found on

Staten Island are from the Archaic period
{ca. 6000 to 1000 B.c.), No major. Archaic

- period sites have been identified in the

immediate Fort Wadsworth vicinity, al-
though some Archaic cultural materials. have
been recovered from the’ later Woodland
period (1000 B.C. fo A.D. 1600) contexts. *

- Woodland sites, the most cominon archeo-

logical sites on Statén Island, have been
identified near Fort Wadsworth — near
Arrochar-Station and at the Walton-Stillwell .

- House just west of the fort.

Pockets of: prehistoric cultural strata and
materials, notably in the southwestern sec-
tion of the reservation, have been identified

“ on the fort grounds. Such resources are

anticipated elsewhere on the property,
especially on minimally disturbed, flat ter-
taint within about 1,000 feet of the southeast
shoreline.

There is no cléar evidence of 17th-century -!

’ .. Dutch-American settlement within the fort

limits, but there is a possibility that one —
or possibly two — such farmsteads were
established on.the Doddman/Kingdom,
Hedger/Walton, and Walton land parcels

that are now part of the fort: One later

colonial farmstead, in the hands of the Van
Deventer family in the mid- to late-18th

_ century, was.apparently focused in the

320


< APPENDIXES

435A /B| . Housing /office : . 1959 Nc_| NPs
436 | | Housing F990 | Ne] other
437° | Housing _- : 1990" Nc_| other
438} Housing 1990 Ne. | other”
= 439._| ‘Housing _ : 1990 NC_| other.
440_| Housing . : 1990 NC_]| other.
441-_|-Housing : ~ | 1990 | Nc | other
442 | Housing _ _ 1990 |= NC | other
442A /B|, Youth Center an 1952 NC_|. other
443 _| Housing . 1990 | NC _| other
444 -| Housing’ : . 1990 NC ‘| other
445 Housing : . : 1990 NC other
446 | Housing ; 1990 | NC +f other
aa7_| Housing . 1990} NC | other
448_| Housing : 1990 |" NC _| other
449 | Housing | : 1990 NC_|_ other
450. | Housing - _ : 1990 | NC_| other}
451_| Housing 1990. | NC || other
452_| Housing : : 1990 (NC | other.
453_| Housing’ “1990 nc other
454 ‘Housing _ _ : 1990 _NC other _
453A | Detached carport" 1990 NC_|' other
454A: | Detached carport 1990 NC_|_ other
455 | Jr. officer housing : a 1990. NC} other
455A | Detached carport | 1990 | (NC_] other
. 456" | Jr: officer Kousing - 1990 | -NC_|_NPS
457_| Jr. officer housing. : 1990_|- NC’ | NPS
458 _| Jr: officer housing 7 1990 Nc. | _.NPS

SOURCES: Oz Architecture Task Order 46, US. Navy, Department of Defense 1984 and
1993, NPS 1993, and U.S. Army Military History Institute 1963.

ow, :


uses have’ long since disappeared during two

certturies of military use:

"Wetlands; Floodplains, and Water Quality

There are no streams, lakes, or ponds on. Fort
Wadsworth. Wetlands are along the conflu-

_ence of the uplands.and the Narrows and
Lower Bay. Some wet spots show on existing
soils maps, but they-are essentially poorly
drained.and would not be considered hydric
soils. Although there is groundwater below
the property, it is not used in any way. ©
Drinking water is obtained from the. New
York City Water Authority.

Thé only flooding to occur on the site is
’-frotn.tidal action. The highest tide ever
recorded by the National Oceanographic'and

. Atthospheric Administration’s Datum Plane .
Section personnel occurred in 1960 when the -
ocean reached a level of 8.5 feet above mean ©

"+: 8ea level, which is represented as a contour ’

_ line on the U.S. Geological Survey

topographic maps:

The coastal wetlands along the east property”

line are of poor quality because there are
Sand and cobbles rather than plants. These
palustrine emergent wetlands. are also poor
quality because their small'size limits. ©. .--
functioning. The areas immediately upland
of the beach are intermittently inundated by
storm tides and contain a diversity. of plants,
both facultative wet and. facultative upland,
including American beachgrass, coastal
panicgrass, seaside goldenrod; and Japanese
bamboo. This vegetation and a number of .
shrubs protect the upper beach area from.”

*:. erosion.

The New York State Department of Envitore

Natural Features

able for swimming, the extrenie currents,

* urban wastes that.often wash ashore, and a

significant accumulation of refuse and .
timbers that wash ashore effectively prechide
use of the beach‘ area for active recreation.

: Climate and Air Quality

The climate around New York City is
humid-continental, with an extended frost-
free period and reduced extremes in temper:
aturé caused by ocean influences. Air quality

*_ for New York City is often in nonattainment :

of EPA standards for many air emissions
related to mobile and stationary souices.
Accofding to the Triborough Bridge and’.

:Tunnel Authority documentation, no

exceedances of one-hour or eight-hour

carbon monoxide standards occur. Because

the site'is near a primary roadway (the
Verrazano-Narrows Bridge), it is unlikely
that any NPS operations. will i improve. or
exacerbate this situation.

“Gateway National Recreation Area is'a man-

datory class IL air quality area. (The. desig-

‘ nation is not an indication of how clean the.

air is but refers to the level of air quality

-protection.) The ‘Clean Air Act inandated

that all areas of the country ‘be designated ©
class.II areas, with the exception of national
parks over 5,000 acres and federal wilderness
areas over 6,000 acres. that are mandated to
be class I areas.

Topography and Geologic Resourcés

_ Fort Wadsworth is in the Atlantic Coastal
- -Plain physiographic province. The landforms —

mental Conservation has classified the upper -

and lower New York bays as class I waters.
This classification means that the-best use of
these waters is secondary contact recreation,

* .which includes minimal water contact and

improbable ingestion (accidental) of water.
According to this state department classifi-
cation, although’ coliform counts are accept-

have largely been’ created by glacial activity:
The eastern side of Staten Island contains the
remnants of the Harbor Hill terminal

. Moraine, which dominates. the site. The site’s |

major landform is the bluff that rises from
sea level to an elevation of 150 feet. Most of

‘ the batteries are on the slopes’ of the bluff,

with Battery Weed at:the toe of the slope
and Fort Tompkins at the highest point:

. From the area around Fort Tompkins, the

35