Natural Resources Protective Association

P.O. Box 050328 Staten Island, NY 10305 (718) 987-6037

Established 1977

February 8, 2012
Executive Director Kerry Sullivan
North Shore Waterfront Conservancy

Chair Ida Sanoff

Coalition Against Water Disposal

Public Design Commission of the City of New York 253 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, NY 10007

Dear Commissioners:
The Natural Resources Protective Association is a city wide, all volunteer, membership organization, concerned with shoreline/marine habitat protection and open space preservation. We are very concerned about the proposed plans to replace the historic, wooden Coney Island Boardwalk with a concrete slab structure. While rainforest woods are not appropriate for the Boardwalk, we support the use of sustainable woods and/or wood products as alternatives. Furthermore, we are concerned about possible storm erosion and property damage resulting from wave impacts on a concrete slab construction, with or without a decorative overlay. While the New York City Parks Department claims that a concrete Boardwalk will be cheaper and more durable than wood or wood alternatives, they have done absolutely nothing to address why this iconic wooden structure is in poor condition: It is being used as a vehicular highway. Every day, dozens of cars, trucks and SUV's belonging to various agencies and contractors drive down the Boardwalk, instead of using local streets. It is absolutely deplorable that this practice is not only permitted to continue but that it is being used as the rationale for obliterating part of New York City's history. The Boardwalk was designed to support people, not multi ton vehicles. The wooden Boardwalk has delighted all for almost one hundred years. We implore the members of the Design Commission to preserve this wonderful WOODEN structure for future generations to enjoy. Sincerely

Recording Secretary Membership Richie Chan

NRPA

Treasurer John Malizia

Fisherman's Conservation Association

Trustees Stephen Lombardo

Staten Island Sport Divers

Charles Perry
.Proleclors of

Pine Oak Woods

Tony Rose
Staten Island Divers

Jim Scarcella
&lends qt 1cm-water

Martin Schreibman Ph.D.

AREAC

Tony Somma
NR PA

John Tanacredi Ph.D.

AREAC

Ida Sanoff, Chair

Andy Winner
NYNI Baykeeper

Cindy Zipf
Clean Ocean Action

Clean Air Campaign, St. Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, Midland Beach Civic Association, Midland Beach Sportsman's Club, Crescent Beach Civic Assoc., Citizens of Ocean Breeze, Richmond/own/Clarke Ave. Civic Assoc., Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, Baykeeper of New York/New Jersey, Conference House Park/Raritan By Conservancy, Mariners Marsh Conservancy, New Doip Beach Civic Assoc., Princes Bay Boatmen's Assoc., Lemon Creek Boatmen's Assoc., Staten Island Baymens Assoc., SI. Citizens for Clean Air, F.A.TE., Global Action/Tonenville High School, Friends of Blue Heron Pond, Friends of Notili Shore Greenbelt, Friends of Gateway/N.O.S.C., Mariners Harbor Civic Assoc., Arlington Civic Assoc.., Clean Ocean Action, Friends of Spanish Camp, N.Y. Harbor Lights, Lighthouse Research for Preservation, Great Kills Harbor Preservation Committee, Coalition for Safe Boating/Marine Environment, S.I. Friends of Clearwater, S.1. Environmental Coalition, S1. Taxpayers Assoc., Save The Bay, Beachcomber Surf Club, S.LExplorers Club, Si Sport Divers, American Littoral Society, Si. Tuna Club, Richmond County Yacht Club, Great Kills Yacht Club, S.I. Yacht Club, Staten Island Register, The Waterfront Watch, International Order of the Blue Gavel, Coastal Conservation Association/Staten Island Chapter

Visit us on the Internet at WWW.NRPA.COM