Breathing New Life Into Flushing Bay

We are proud to announce substantial progress on more than $200 million in ecological improvements for Flushing Bay. The work includes:

• WETLAND CONSTRUCTION—In 2017 DEP began a $19.2 million project to construct more than three acres of new wetlands along the southern shore.

• ENVIRONMENTAL DREDGING—The $15.4 million project to dredge portions of Flushing Bayin the vicinity of the World’s FairMarina and two combined seweroutfalls has significantly reducednuisance odors in the area.

• SEWER OPTIMIZATION— The $33 million subsurface sewer upgrades took place at five key junction points within the sewer system between LaGuardia Airport and the Long Island Expressway. By directing additional wastewater to the treatment facility, this project has reduced seweroverflows into Flushing Bay by 225 million gallons annually.
• COLLEGE POINT SEWER SEPARATION—Work began in 2016 on a $132 million project to separate the existing combined sewer system in College Point and permanently decommission three combined sewer outfalls on the eastern shore of the Bay. This will result in a nearly 50 million gallon reduction in sewer overflows annually.

• GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE— In the Flushing Bay and Flushing Creek watersheds, DEP has built more than 1,250 green infrastructure assets over the last fiveyears. This includes curbside rain gardens that collect and manage stormwater before it can ever enter the combined sewer systemand contribute to overflows.

Reducing the volume of sewer overflows, removing built-up sediment that would become exposed during low tide and create nuisance odors, and restoring the natural wetlands to help filter impurities from the water has resulted in a visibly healthier waterway for residents to enjoy and a more hospitable habitat for fish and wildlife.