Environmental Review and Feasibility Study

As the next step in advancing the Fortifying Our Resilient Growth and Economy (FiDi FORGE, also known as FiDi-Seaport Climate Resilience Plan), NYCEDC and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New York District intend to prepare an Integrated Interim Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a Coastal Storm Risk Management Section 203 Study for the FiDi FORGE study area. The Draft and Final Integrated Interim Report will be prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), concurrent with a Section 203 feasibility study of coastal storm risk management for the study area illustrated in the above map.

Section 203 Feasibility Study

Pursuing a Section 203 feasibility study under the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, FiDi FORGE could unlock federal funding covering up to 65 percent of eligible project design and construction costs. This legislation allows non-federal entities, such as NYCEDC, to conduct their own feasibility studies with technical guidance and review from USACE. This study will evaluate the feasibility of various coastal storm risk management measures within the study area. The findings will be documented in both a Draft and Final Integrated Interim Feasibility Report. It is anticipated that this report will ultimately be submitted to the US Congress for potential authorization and appropriation of funding.

The NEPA Process

The project is subject to review in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a federal process that requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their policies, projects, and funding of projects on the built and natural environments. This process ensures that environmental considerations are integrated into federal decision-making in a transparent, informed, and publicly accountable manner.

The USACE will serve as the federal lead agency for the study and environmental review. NEPA statute requires an Environmental Impact Statement when proposed actions have a reasonably foreseeable significant effect on the environment. In all proposed alternatives for FiDi FORGE, multiple elements trigger federal actions, such as in-water work, including fill and new structures over water. Given the scale and scope of effects, NYCEDC will be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement level of NEPA analysis for the project in coordination with the USACE, which will be incorporated into the Section 203 Feasibility Report (Integrated Interim Report).

Local environmental review, including New York City and State Environmental Quality Review (CEQR and SEQR), will be pursued at a later date when design is further advanced.

EIS Scoping and the Notice of Intent to Prepare the Study

The preparation of an EIS officially begins with a public notice initiating the scoping period. Read additional information on the proposed scope of the FiDi FORGE Section 203 Study.

There will be multiple opportunities for agencies and members of the public to participate and provide feedback on FiDi FORGE through the NEPA process, starting with EIS scoping. EIS scoping is the first opportunity for input and begins before the analysis of potential effects begins, so that agencies and members of the public can submit feedback about their concerns for environmental resources or other aspects of the project. A second opportunity for feedback will be provided when the Draft Integrated Interim Report is published.

How to Provide Input

The public is invited to submit comments related to the scope and preparation of the Draft Integrated Interim Report during this scoping period, May 28 through July 14, 2026. Written comments related to the development of the Draft Integrated Interim Report may be submitted by email to the following address: CENAN-FiDiFORGE-203-Study@usace.army.mil.

NYCEDC and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will be hosting a public scoping meeting for the FiDi FORGE Draft Integrated Interim Report, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). We invite you to participate in this meeting, which will:

• Outline the goals and objectives of the Draft Integrated Interim Report
• Describe how your input will be incorporated into the Draft Integrated Interim Report
• Provide an opportunity to submit formal comments on the Draft Integrated Interim Report

The public is invited to join a public scoping meeting scheduled during this scoping period. An in-person scoping meeting will be held on June 23, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm at the National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green. A virtual public scoping meeting will be held on June 25, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm. Both meetings will contain the same content. Register to attend the scoping meeting.

Please feel free to check back frequently for updates on this process!