Third Wave Volunteers develop a Tree Initiative and Study in the Rockaways.

One of the areas in the study:

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Geology of National Parks, 3D and Photographic Tours

http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/nyc/parks/loc69.htm

69. Breezy Point (Gateway National Recreation Area)

Had you planned a visit to Breezy Point before the Civil War you would have been in for a surprise. It did not exist! All the land west of the vicinity of Jacob Riis Park has formed within a little more than a century (Figure 184). This is largely because of the construction of a groin field to protect the beaches at Fort Tilden, and the placement of the Breezy Point jetty to prevent the filling of Rockaway Inlet. The sand has been contributed naturally by the westward longshore drift along the south shore of Long Island, particularly the Rockaway barrier island and sources offshore.

Figure 184. Map showing the accretionary growth of Rockaway Spit (revised version of a NPS Fort Tilden Visitor Center display).

The Rockaway Shore areas have been heavily utilized since colonial time. Fort Tilden began as an outer harbor defense post during the War of 1812. The site was expanded into a large defense network with ever expanding fire power beginning at the turn of the century following the Spanish American War. Fort Tilden was host to a battery of Nike nuclear missiles in the 1950s. The fort was decommissioned and eventually added to the land trust that became Gateway National Recreation Area in 1972. The move to preserve the peninsula was a response to an attempt to build high rise housing at Breezy Point in the 1960s. This was killed by environmental outcry to preserve the "natural habitat." Ironically very little of the physical landscape might be considered truly natural. Had the shore processes been allowed to proceed naturally, it is likely that Rockaway would be continuous with Coney Island, and a new inlet to Jamaica Bay would have opened elsewhere. However, we are very fortunate to have the new, nearly three-mile stretch of beach east of Jacob Riis Park. It is a gem for nature lovers, especially beach combers and bird watchers, seeking an uncrowded beach (except on summer holidays and weekends). The lack of subway access, implementation of parking fees, and the prohibition of swimming in the groin field generally keep the crowds away.

Wrackline debris yields interesting information about the history of transgression along the south shore of Long Island (specifically Queens). Fossils found on the beach include oysters, crabs, bay scallops, and dog whelk (a small gastropod). A radiocarbon date from oyster shell in concretions from Rockaway Beach yielded an age of 7,610 (±150) years before present (see Figures 149-152). A variety of vertebrate material from wild pigs, deer, elk, seals, sea lions, and American walrus were also found (all but deer, seals, and sea lions are now extinct in the region). In addition, Indian artifacts are quite common within the wrackline debris (Figures 185 and 186). It is evident that this material is washing ashore from source areas now offshore. No doubt pre-Columbian tidewater communities inhabited coastal areas. Much of the clinker (baked clay) may be from the fires in their coastal camps or villages. Occasionally, partially mineralized cedar stumps wash up onto the beach. These are all an indications that the shore is continuing to progress landward.

Figure 185. A wrackline formed on the beach at Breezy Point. The dark line on the horizon is the Breezy Point jetty built in the early 1970s.

(edited post Sandy)

An early 19th century resort community was built on a small barrier island that was present just offshore Rockaway Beach (a couple miles east of Jacob Riis Park). This island, including its resort community, completely vanished during a hurricane in 1893. Other islands existed in the area offshore from Coney Island. These islands also disappeared after storms, but their erosion was hastened by the activities of early settlers. The beach dunes were heavily grazed by cattle and hogs, and their cedar and holly forests were cut for fence and firewood.  destruction by erosion or construction is equally bad. Laws exists to protect these resources, but hopefully a little wisdom goes a long way.

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Third Wave Volunteers develop a Tree Initiative and Study in the Rockaways. (cont.)

The Third Wave Volunteers are currently spearheading a reforestation initaitive and study in the Rockaways.  It would include a planting of Cedar, Holly, Willow, oak, American and Chinese Elm.  The GIS on possible planting locations is what our next step is, we are currently engaging local specialists on the historical locations of forest groves and sand dunes from Jacob Riis Park to Breezy Point.  Please forward this message to all possible leads on the subject matter.

We have engaged David and Jared Milarch from the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive based in Copemish, MI, who have worked with Dave Karnosky, now a professor of forestry at Michigan Technological University, on the cloning of the Champions Trees of Central Park.  With the help of locals, specialist and the academic community, the old coastal forest groves of the Rockaways could be realized again.  This might be a strong step in retaining the local neighbourhood/township ecosystem, while restoring key geological breakwaters and barriers to help stave off the rising tides and storm frequency.

Anyone interested in learning more on the Initiative or study, please contact:  ***@***.***