Harlem River Environmental Restoration Study Moves Forward with City-Federal Partnership

Congressmen Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), along with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), announced the secured funding for a $1 million environmental study of how to restore ecology, improve water quality, and expand public access along the Harlem River. Half of the study is being funded by DEP; Reps. Torres and Espaillat secured the other $500,000 in federal funds through Congressional appropriations.

The study will be led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and will be worked on in partnership with DEP, which is committed to providing planning resources, ecological data, and technical expertise to expedite the study. Together, they will examine ways to use green infrastructure to restore degraded habitats, to improve water quality, to reduce flooding and add resiliency in the face of climate change. The agencies will also work with local community groups to look at ways to expand public access along the waterfront. 

Rep. Ritchie Torres said:

“The Harlem River has long suffered from environmental neglect and disinvestment, but today’s commitment from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection marks a crucial turning point. By pledging the $500k local match and moving forward with the feasibility study alongside the Army Corps, the City is taking a critical first step toward restoring this vital waterway for the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. Congressman Espaillat and I will continue to work with our federal and local partners to ensure the Harlem River finally gets the attention and investment it deserves.” 

Rep. Adriano Espaillat said: 

“This critical analysis of the Harlem River will ensure that our shared efforts to revive and restore the waterway and surrounding area remain on a strong trajectory. For too long, the communities of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx have been a depository for the flow of harmful materials and an afterthought in remediation and resilience efforts. This historic trend decimated the environment in the area and led to inadequate public health outcomes for community in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. I commend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Environmental Protection for taking on this work and thank Congressman Torres for his leadership and partnership.”

NYC Chief Climate Officer and DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala said:

“This study complements a series of projects already underway to revitalize the Harlem River and its watershed. The results will further inform our efforts to improve water quality, restore ecology, and expand public access. We’re grateful for this partnership with Congressmen Torres and Espaillat and their leadership in bringing much-needed federal resources to this study.”