1995 Water Quality Survey Report

Garcia, Diego

Gateway's Water Quality Program was initiated in 1977 to form a data base for the management of park waters for pUblic health and ecological quality. The marine waters of Gateway NRA are part of the larger New York, New Jersey Harbor estuary system. These waters, which include Jamaica Bay and waters adjacent to Sandy kook, Great Kills and Breezy Point, are heavily impacted upon by the activities of the huge metropolitan area population. The loading of various pollutants into park waters can impair many uses such as swimming, fishing and boating. Therefore, it is imperative that different parameters of water quality be measured routinely to ensure the safety and health of humans as well as the ecosystem itself. Water quality data was collected for the following purposes: 1. To monitor bacterial levels at pUblic beaches under Gateway jurisdiction for compliance with city, state and federal pUblic health standards for contact-recreational beaches. 2. To monitor bacterial levels at other sites within the park to determine trends in water quality. 3. to identify potential long-term acceptable beach sites. 4. To provide data for the evaluation and review of Gateway's Natural Resources Management Plan regarding fish and wildlife management as well as visitor pUblic health and safety.