Norwalk Harbor: The Jewel of Long Island Sound A Presentation by the Norwalk Harbor Management Commission 2018 State of the Harbor Meeting December 13, 2018
The City of Norwalk in Southwest Connecticut Norwalk is a coastal community on the north shore of Long Island Sound, part of the coastal area of the State of Connecticut as defined in the Connecticut Coastal Management Act. Norwalk s character and quality of life are intrinsically tied to the water and shoreline resources of Long Island Sound and Norwalk Harbor.
Norwalk Harbor Located at the mouth of the Norwalk River, Norwalk Harbor extends inland from south of the Norwalk Islands to the head of navigation at Wall Street. Harbor boundaries are established in the City Charter; harbor waters are divided into an Inner and Outer Harbor. A Federal Navigation Project authorized by the U.S. Congress and consisting of designated navigation channels and anchorage basins has served the harbor since the late 19 th century. Included are a dredged channel 12 feet deep from the mouth of the river to the Stroffolino Bridge; a ten-foot channel upstream to Wall Street; and a six-foot channel to East Norwalk.
Historic Maritime Community Much of Norwalk s history, from the area s first settlement in 1640, can be told with respect to the City s location on Long Island Sound and Norwalk Harbor. The first commercial docks were built upstream on the Norwalk River at the head of navigation in the 1700s. By the end of the 18th century, wharves and warehouses were found all along the waterfront. Images courtesy of Norwalk Museum
Center of Recreational Boating Norwalk Harbor is a major center of recreational boating on Long Island Sound. Boating facilities include 15 commercial marinas, 13 private clubs, more than 1,800 berthing spaces, and 500 mooring locations. Economic benefits to the local and regional economy are substantial. State-wide, the annual economic impact of CT s recreational boating industry is estimated at $1.3 billion. Top photo by A. Mobilia
Commercial Shellfishing Connecticut s shellfishing industry began in Norwalk in the early 1800s. Today, Norwalk is a major center of this industry which generates more than $30 million annually in farm-gate sales. The Shellfish Commission and Harbor Management Commission work to protect the harbor s exceptional shellfish resources for the benefit of future generations. Mural image by Alexander J. Rummler for the WPA, 1937 Photo courtesy of Norm Bloom & Son
Waterborne Commerce Waterborne commerce in Norwalk Harbor, in addition to shellfish, includes barge shipments of sand and gravel dependent on the harbor s federal navigation channels. The U.S. Department of Transportation recently designated Norwalk as a site for a new service for waterborne delivery of fresh farm produce across Long Island Sound. This project will be part of the National Marine Highway System. Two bottom photos by A. Mobilia
David S. Dunavan Boating Center The Boating Center at Veteran s Memorial Park includes public boat launching ramps and the Norwalk Visitor s Dock. More than 3,000 trailered boat launches occur each year. In 2015, the State of Connecticut granted $350,000 for maintenance dredging of the Visitors Dock area. In 2018, a state grant of $908,000 was provided to help rebuild the Dock. Vessel photo by A. Mobilia
Public Access Numerous points of public access to the harbor and Long Island Sound are found along the Norwalk shoreline; these include the large waterfront parks Veteran s Memorial Park and Calf Pasture Park, as well as city boating facilities. In addition, the Norwalk Heritage Park provides a linked system of historic places and activity centers. Beach photo by A. Mobilia; Historical image courtesy of Norwalk Museum
Norwalk Islands The harbor is also Norwalk s most important natural resource; its tidal wetlands, intertidal flats, beaches, fish and wildlife, and other resources, including the Norwalk Islands with part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge, provide a variety of irreplaceable ecological functions and values as well as recreational opportunities. Lighthouse photo by A. Mobilia
Tourism and Education The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is Southwest Connecticut's principal tourist attraction and the only aquarium devoted to Long Island Sound. The Norwalk Seaport Association sponsors the Norwalk Oyster Festival and runs ferry service to its historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse Park. Photos courtesy of the Maritime Aquarium
Harbor Management The Norwalk Harbor Management Commission (NHMC) is responsible for preparing, maintaining, and implementing the city s Harbor Management Plan to guide the most desirable use of the city s coastal and navigable waters for recreational, commercial, and other purposes and to protect and enhance coastal resources. Authorities of the NHMC are set forth in the CT General Statutes and Norwalk Code of Ordinances.
Connecticut Harbor Management Act of 1984 Sec. 22a-113k through Sec. 22a-113t of the General Statutes Authorizes any municipality with navigable waters to establish a harbor management commission and prepare a harbor management plan for the most desirable use of the municipality's waters for recreational, commercial, and other purposes and for the preservation and use of coastal resources. Harbor Management Commission Ordinance Chapter 69 Article III of the Norwalk Code Adopted by the Common Council 4-24-1984 Establishes the nine-member NHMC; directs the commission to prepare the city s Harbor Management Plan; and authorizes the commission to exercise the powers, duties, and responsibilities authorized by the CT Harbor Management Act.
Harbor Management Goals and Policies The Harbor Management Plan s goals and policies establish Norwalk s Vision for safe and beneficial use and conservation of Norwalk Harbor. The goals and policies guide case by case decisions by the NHMC and provide the basis for harbor improvement projects. Harbor management goals include: Public health, safety, and welfare Water-dependent uses and facilities Environmental conservation Economic benefits Preservation of maritime heritage and quality of life Public access to Norwalk Harbor Public support and participation
Public Safety Appointed by the Governor, the State of Connecticut Harbor Master and Deputy Harbor Master for Norwalk have important responsibilities to maintain safe and efficient operation of the harbor. The marine units of the Norwalk Police and Fire departments operate their vessels year-round. Emergency response is coordinated as necessary with the U.S. Coast Guard. Three photos to right by Officer B. Lovallo
Dredging Norwalk Harbor s channels and anchorage basins require periodic maintenance dredging to maintain safe navigation and the viability of water-dependent uses. Recognizing the importance of the harbor to the economy of southwest Connecticut, the U.S. Congress allocated over $12 million for maintenance dredging of the harbor s federal channels and anchorages and dredging was conducted by the Corps of Engineers in the period 2005-2014. Photos by A. Mobilia
Responsibilities for Plan Implementation Plan implementation is pursued through an on-going process involving the coordinated actions of all city, state, and federal agencies with programs and authorities that affect the Norwalk Harbor Management Area, including: 1) Mayor 2) Common Council 3) Harbor Management Commis33sion 4) Other city agencies 5) State of CT Harbor Master for Norwalk 6) State and federal agencies 7) Private groups and individuals
Harbor Management Highlights 2018 Application Review Dr. John T. Pinto, Chair, Application Review Committee Mooring Administration Dennis Santella, Chair, Mooring and Harbor Safety Committee Water Quality Joe Schnierlein, Chair, Mayor s Water Quality Committee Shellfish Steve Bartush, Norwalk Shellfish Commission Harbor Safety Sgt. G. Scully (Harbor Master), Sgt. P. LaPak, Ofc. M. Silva, NPD
Four Priorities in 2018-19 1. Reduce adverse impacts of WALK Bridge Project on Norwalk Harbor 2. Avoid adverse impacts of Eversource Project on Dunavan Boating Center 3. Pursue water quality initiatives 4. Review update to Norwalk Plan of Conservation and Development
Review of WALK Railroad Bridge Project In 2018, the CT DOT is proceeding with plans to replace the WALK Bridge carrying the Metro-North rail line. This will be the largest infrastructure project in Norwalk since the Connecticut Thruway was built. Impacts on Norwalk Harbor, South Norwalk, and East Norwalk will be significant for the duration of the work, expected to require five years. The NHMC has an important responsibility to review the bridge plans in an effort to avoid or reduce adverse impacts on the harbor. Historical image courtesy Norwalk Museum
Review of Eversource Transmission Line Project As part of the Walk Bridge project, Eversource Energy must relocate the electric transmission lines from the high towers atop the existing bridge. Eversource proposes to relocate the lines by drilling them under the harbor and the Visitor s Docks and then trenching them through a portion of Veteran s Park. The NHMC is opposed to any utility relocation plan that would result in restrictions on future maintenance and improvement of the Boating Center s public facilities, recently improved at a cost of $4 million.
Water Quality Initiatives Protecting and improving water quality is a harbor management priority. Enjoyment of boating and all other recreational activities, along with the vitality of fish and wildlife, including shellfish, depend on clean water. Working with the Shellfish Commission and Mayor s Water Quality Committee, priorities in 2018 include mitigating Walk Bridge project impacts on water quality and re-establishing the seventown Norwalk River Watershed Initiative. Bridge photo courtesy of Eric Troutmann, The Hour The NHMC gives special attention to reducing storm water pollution (runoff pollution).
Plan of Conservation and Development Review In 2018, the Planning Commission is updating the Norwalk Plan of Conservation and Development, the city s master plan for land-use. The NHMC believes the POCD must give special attention to Norwalk s coastal area, and has prepared recommendations for consideration by the Planning Commission. Google Earth image As required by the General Statutes, the NHMC must review the draft POCD for consistency with the Harbor Management Plan before the POCD can be adopted.
The Harbor Management Plan Strengthens Home Rule A recommendation of the NHMC consistent with and supported by the Harbor Management Plan is to be binding on a state official making a regulatory decision affecting the Norwalk Harbor Management Area unless that official can show cause why a different course of action should be taken. See Sec. 22a-113n (b) of the Connecticut General Statutes
Norwalk Harbor Management Commission Joseph A. Perella (Chair) John Romano (Vice Chair) Dennis Santella (Secretary) Anthony Aitoro John Crespo William T. Gardella, Jr. Anthony N. Mobilia John Pinto Jan Schaefer Sgt. Gregg Scully, Harbor Master Officer Bruce Lovallo, Deputy Harbor Master Frank Strauch, Planning & Zoning Dept. Geoff Steadman, Planning Consultant Acknowledgments Norwalk City Hall 125 East Avenue Norwalk, CT 06851 Photo by G. Steadman To contact the Harbor Management Commission, call 203.854.7780 or visit us at: http://www.norwalkct.org/ Power Point presentation by Geoff Steadman for the NHMC Plans and Recommendations Committee, Jan Schaefer, Chair. Aerial and other photos by G. Steadman and others as noted. All rights reserved.