2 The West Haven Harbor Management Area Long Island Sound is Connecticut’s largest and most important natural resource. More than 8 million people live in the Long Island Sound watershed and the activities that take place on and along the Sound – boating, fishing, tourism, and swimming – contribute an estimated $5.5 billion per year to the regional economy. The Sound provides feeding, breeding, and nesting areas for a diversity of plant and animal life. One of the region’s largest estuaries with an area of 1320 square miles, the Sound is home to more than 120 species of finfish and countless varieties of birds and other animals. Between New York and Connecticut, the Sound’s coastline stretches more than 600 miles. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection CITY OF WEST HAVEN HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN MARCH 2017 2-2 West Haven Harbor Management Area This chapter describes the West Haven Harbor Management Area (HMA) encompassing the navigable waters and intertidal areas subject to the City’s municipal harbor management jurisdiction. The HMA defines the area subject to the jurisdiction of the West Haven Harbor Management Commission (HMC) and the West Haven Harbor Management Plan (the Plan). A number of water-dependent activities along with ecologically vital coastal resources, including beaches, tidal wetlands, intertidal flats, and shellfish grounds, along with many species of fish and wildlife, are found in the HMA. Shellfish grounds in the HMA are shown on Map 2-8. Included in this chapter will be an overview of the City’s coastal area setting on the West River, New Haven Harbor, and Long Island Sound; descriptions of historical uses and development of West Haven’s shoreline and navigable waters; and a review of some general conditions of interest in the HMA. Also to be included are descriptions of water and waterfront uses and coastal resources, including uses and resources in five harbor management sub-areas designated for the purpose of the Plan. These are: 1) West River Harbor Management Sub-Area; 2) West River Crossing Harbor Management Sub-Area; 3) West Harbor Harbor Management Sub-Area; 4) Long Island Sound Shoreline East Harbor Management Sub-Area; and 5) Long Island Sound Shoreline West Harbor Management Sub-Area The descriptions and information presented in this chapter will emphasize how West Haven’s character and quality of life have always been, and remain, intrinsically tied to the water and shoreline resources of the West River, New Haven Harbor, and Long Island Sound. West Haven’s coastal area is generally recognized by public officials and residents as the City’s most important natural resource, providing vital environmental, economic, and cultural benefits for West Haven and its citizens. Prominent features of the HMA are shown on maps and photos included in this chapter. NOTE: The Harbor Management Commission continues to review conditions in the Harbor Management Area and to assemble information for inclusion in this chapter, including information on West Haven’s maritime-related history. Subsequent versions of Chapter Two will be posted on the City website for additional public review and comments prior to any public hearing on the Harbor Management Plan. WEST HAVEN HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT 2017 2-3 West River Harbor Management Sub-Area This harbor management sub-area includes the City’s jurisdiction on the West River from the Metro-North Railroad Bridge upstream to Derby Avenue, a distance of about 2.4 miles along the winding watercourse. Jurisdiction in the river is shared with the City of New Haven as the municipal boundary between the two cities follows the river’s centerline. (See Map 2-3.) Prominent features of the sub-area and the adjoining West Haven shoreline include four bridges crossing tidal waters; undeveloped floodplain and elevated forested land in the area from Marginal Drive to Derby Avenue; a car-top boat launching area owned by the City of New Haven adjoining Route 1; former landfill areas; and a significant tidal wetland upstream of Spring Street. Prominent features on the east side of the river, in New Haven’s jurisdiction, include West River Memorial Park and the excavated, open water area known as the Reflecting Pool, and urban commercial and industrial areas along Ella T. Grasso Boulevard. Navigable depths in the river range from only about one to four feet at mean low water. As a result, boating use is limited to small craft, including canoes and kayaks, and usually takes place at mid-tide or higher water. Photo 2-1: The municipal; boundary between West Haven and New Haven follows the center line of the West River. The West River watershed encompasses approximately 35 square-miles of land located primarily in the municipalities of New Haven, West Haven, Bethany, Hamden, Prospect, and Woodbridge, Connecticut. The southern portion of the watershed is highly urban, while the northern portion of the watershed is much more rural with significant areas of forest and protected water supply land. (From the West River Watershed Management Plan.) WEST HAVEN HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT 2017 2-4 West River Crossing Harbor Management Sub-Area This harbor management sub-area includes the City’s jurisdiction on the West River and the west shore of New Haven Harbor from the Metro-North Railroad Bridge downstream to and including the Haven South Redevelopment Area, a distance of a little less than one mile along the shoreline. (See Map 2-4.) Jurisdiction in the river and harbor is shared with the City of New Haven as the municipal boundary follows the river’s centerline and West Haven’s harbor management jurisdiction extends into the western half of New Haven Harbor. Prominent features of the sub-area and the adjoining West Haven shoreline include the City of West Haven’s municipal compost facility; two major state-owned bridges crossing tidal waters— the Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) and Kimberly Avenue bridges; the recreational boating facilities of the City Point Yacht Club (located on both sides of the river between the two bridges); the approximately 24-acre Haven South Redevelopment Area; and the West River-New Haven Harbor federal navigation channel which passes near the shoreline of the redevelopment area. The federal navigation channel is shown on Map 2-9. Much of New Haven Harbor within this portion of the West Haven HMA is designated as a natural shellfish ground. Photo 2-2: Prominent features of the West River Crossing Harbor Managemment Sub-Area include the I-95 and Kimberly Avenue bridges, the City Point Yacht Club facilities between the bridges, and the West Haven compost site upstream of the I-95 Bridge. The upstream limit of the West River federal navigation channel is just downstream of the I-95 Bridge. In 2017, the compost site and the DEEP-owned strip of land just south of the I-95 right-of-way have been identified by the Harbor Management Commission as potential sites for establishing a new public boat launch. Approximagtely 135,000 vehicles cross the West River on the I-95 bridge each day. Ongoing bridge and highway reconstruction and improvements by the CT DOT are expected to be compelted in 2018. WEST HAVEN HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT 2017 2-5 Photo 2-3: The 24 +/- acres that comprise the Haven South Redevelopment Area are among the earliest developed areas in West Haven. The waterfront and adjacent property are located at the City’s most traveled gateway. A Municipal Development Plan has been prepared to address issues of economic diversity, appropriate land uses, and associated public and private improvements. The site provides a major opportunity to accommodate regionally significant redevelopment with a substantial water-dependent component, including facilities for visual access to the HMA for enjoyment of scenic views and physical access for fishing and boating- related activities. West Harbor Harbor Management Sub-Area This harbor management sub-area includes the City’s jurisdiction on New Haven Harbor, including the West Haven shoreline extending from the Haven South Redevelopment Area to and including Sandy Point and Old Field Creek. (See Map 2-5.) Prominent features of the sub-area and shoreline include waterfront residential areas; the West Haven Yacht Club; the City’s April Street Boat Launch; the West Haven Water Pollution Control Plant; the Sandy Point coastal barrier, bird sanctuary, and federal jetty; and the Old Field Creek tidal watercourse and wetland restoration area. New Haven Harbor within this portion of the West Haven HMA includes a designated natural shellfish ground as well as private grounds. WEST HAVEN HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT 2017 2-6 Photo 2-4: North of the April St. boat ramp and Water Pollution Control Plant (not shown on this photo), the West Harbor shoreline includes the West Haven Yacht Club and shorefront residential areas along 1st Ave. south of the Haven South Redevelopment Area. Photo 2-5: The April Street Boat Launch is West Haven’s only municipal boat launch, providing access to the HMA for trailered and car-top recreational vessels and emergency services vessels. In 2017, the facility is considered inadequate for local and regional demand as it is not useable at all stages of the tide and parking for boat trailers is limited. As a result, the Harbor Management Commission is evaluating opportunities for establishing a new boat launching facility useable at most or all stages of the tide and with sufficient parking WEST HAVEN HARBOR MANAGEMENT PLAN DRAFT 2017 2-7 Photo 2-6: West Haven’s Sandy Point, a barrier spit extending into New Haven Harbor, is one of the most ecologically significant sites on the Connecticut coast. The West Haven shore, on the migratory route for some of the most endangered bird species, is one of the state’s foremost locations to observe rare shorebirds, The Sandy Point Beach and Bird Sanctuary, a site featured on the Connecticut Coastal Birding Trail, has been designated an “important bird area” by Audubon Connecticut.