The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-01-18
Harbor Encsoachments.


Ia the Senate, January H. Mr. Brooks introduced an
act for the preservation of the harbor Of New York
from entertainments and to prevent distractions tho
necessary navigation thereof which read twice and
referred to the Committee Commerce and Navigation
Reported favoraby from said committee and committed
to the Committee of the whole
Whereas 1t is represented to the legislature that the
barbor OF New York has become much INSTRUCTED
erection OF piers wharves and bulkheads and other
causes and that grants of rights occupy land under
its waters have been made and liable to be made
without SUFFICIENT information of the extent of the in
jury that may be inflicted by such occupation BY mar
FORE Of obtaining the proper information to enable the
Legislature TO control such erections and prevent such
injury
Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows
SEC 1. Board OF Commissioners to consist of FIVE
citizens of the United States, and OF the citizens who
shall at any time hereafter be appointed In their place.
pr in the places Of Of them is hereby created who
thali have power, and whose duty IT shall be-
1. To cause the necessary surveys and examination
VI the said harbor and the adjacent lands to be made
~ skilfui persons, and 70 obtain all needful information
nom other sources In order to ascertain the present
tfon oil the said harbor Particularly whether the
sgation thereof Improperly obstructed and whether
Of the cities OF New York and ookyn any further
tension OF piers wAarves bulkheads into the said
hsreor ought to be allowed, and to what extent and
Abe communist )ners of the land Office or the Common
Council Of the city Of New York for the filing up OF any
land under water OF the laid harbor, will, II executed
impair or obsruet the necessary navigation Of the said
harbor,
o TO report to the Legislature from time to time and
soon as practicable and at least by the second fues
day OF January next the result OF the information thus
obtained and the evidence upon which the shau
be founded.
TO submit aud present to the legislature tbs e,tab
Hshment Of such exterior lines in different parts OF the
sad harbor opposite and along the water fronts of the
cities OF New York and Brooklyn the county of Kings
nod county OF Richmond, and beyond which erection
permanent obstruction Of any hind should be permit
ted 10 be made.
To recommend to the Legislature such provisions as
fhe said commissioners deem necessary respect to the
enlargng filing up Of Slips coves aud recesses the
eise position and extent OF piers, wharves bukhed
other eresons improvements within the exterior
water line and the laying out and establishing such
piers and wharves and leaving open space between aud
nder the aud In respect 70 any and every matter and
thing calculated to preserve forever the free navigation
Of said harbor
maps OF the taid bsrbor exhibiting the exterior lines
1ecommsnded by them, and the lines OF the existing
Ters wharses and bulkhead ana OF grants OF land
1nder water in the said harbor which have not been
occupied and ase the original shore line as far the
eame can be ascertained accompanied with such Geld
notes, measurements, ami calculations they shall
deem necessary to fun exposition aud unders standing
of the subject
g. To inquire and repor, upon the proprety OF laying
Out on the East river street the water line
the city OF Brooklyn 10 be called River street also
se report upon the power prastcabty, and utility of
Queens, and New York. in the Fast river
zee q The said commissioners shall report 10 the Ie
zislature as soon 40 practicable, and at least by the
ecton specified far they relate to that part OF
he said hsrbor Ia front Of the city Of BROOKLYN from
She Unit cd states navy yard 10 the south boundary Of
abe 81 city OF Brooklyn
10 which the said commissioners herein required 20
iorl shall b. made BY the comm ssonsrs OF the land
nJs Of Common Council Of the city OF New York
o. aoy boaj officer or corporation, uotH the turtle