The City has a long list of new park projects - meanwhile, advocates say existing parks are severely underfunded. In 1997 a landmark agreement between New York City and upstate watershed communities set forth details and commitments in order to protect the watershed and reservoir system that supplies nine million people. Federal agencies also approved the agreement and agreed to waive the filtration rule. Without the waiver New York City would have to spend billions of dollars to filter its water. The elusive emerald necklace of green spaces on 500-plus miles of New York City waterfront seems within reach.
New parks are under construction and dealing with hundreds of years of abuse is underway.
Studies of estuaries, habitats and our varied waterfront spaces are moving forward, as life returns to once-dead areas. In the meantime, a strong economy is now sparking interest in resurrecting waterfront spaces for business, and other marine-dependent activities. The New York Harbor and Hudson River are rich with history, potential - and politics. As the gateway to the interior, these waterways have brought prosperity to New York, as well as New Jersey and beyond. In the midst of growing interest in Harbor and Hudson cleanup, there is also a battle afoot to remain the dominant East Coast port.