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 will officially begin with the publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) in the Federal Register.The NOI link will also be posted on this page when available, anticipated spring/summer 2026.

Once the NOI is posted, there will be multiple opportunities for agencies and members of the public to participate and provide feedback on this project’s NEPA process. The EIS scoping process, anticipated to begin in spring/summer 2026, will be the first opportunity and is scheduled to start 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 EIS is published.

How to Provide Input

As the lead federal agency, the USACE will be requesting public participation and input on the scope of the Draft Integrated Interim Report during the EIS scoping period. This scoping period is anticipated for spring/summer 2026 and exact dates will be posted on this site when available.

Two public meetings (one in-person, one virtual) will also be scheduled during this scoping period. To receive updates on when these meetings will take place, please sign up for project updates by visiting the Get Involved page. Meeting details will also be posted on this website when available.

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