National Parks Conservation Association with Rebuild by Design and Rise 2 Resilience held a virtual workshop to strengthen your comment writing skills! At this workshop, participants learned how to submit comments to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and what types of comments make the biggest impact. Participants walked away with a comment template that can be used to craft a compelling message and influence decision makers on projects and studies that matter. To find out more information about this process, and to view the guiding principles for coastal infrastructure that were developed by community organizations throughout this region, check out the HATS page on our site.

Thursday, February 9 from 6pm-7pm

WATCH THE WORKSHOP RECORDING HERE.

Workshop Objectives:

* Demonstrate how to submit an official comment to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and outline basic components of a substantive comment
* Overview of the comment review process and learn what types of comments make the biggest impact (individual comments vs. group comments; substantive vs. non-substantive comments)
* Provide community members with a template to develop their own substantive comments

Materials:

• Comment Writing 101 Powerpoint
• Your Story Your Ask Worksheet
• Comment Writing Template

Background:

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is a national 501(c)3 advocacy organization established to protect and enhance America’s national parks for future generations. Charged with fulfilling this mission, NPCA has been working for decades to ensure Gateway National Recreation Area and the National Parks of New York Harbor are able to withstand future pressures of climate change while providing world class experiences for millions of visitors.

Critical decisions are being made right now by the USACE about flood risk management in an area with roughly 16 million residents. The NYNJHATS proposal, as it currently stands, would severely impair Gateway NRA’s fundamental resources, and greatly impact the lives of millions. The project is estimated to cost ~$52 billion, one of the highest estimated costs that the USACE has ever put forth for any single project. And while these plans are being crafted, too many residents in the study area remain in the dark. That is why NPCA is working in partnership with Rebuild By Design and the Rise 2 Resilience coalition, to invest in individuals and Gateway’s communities and ensure any flood risk management solutions that are being developed are community driven and locally accepted.