Task Forces

The work of the '07-'08 Task Forces resulted in 6 policy papers, known as the MWA White Papers, and the Waterfront Action Agenda. These influential documents provide detailed solutions to the challenges facing our waterfront.

• Working Waterfront White Paper
• Mass Water Transit White Paper
• Green Harbor White Paper
• Harbor Education White Paper
• Harbor Recreation White Paper
• Aquatecture White Paper
• Waterfront Action Agenda

2010 Task Force Links

2010 Aquatecture Task Force

2010 Green Harbor Task Force

2010 Harbor Education Task Force

2010 Harbor Recreation Task Force

2010 Working Waterfront Task Force

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Task Forces Overview

In late 2007, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance convened six Task Forces for the first time -- Aquatecture, Green Harbor, Education, Mass Water Transit, Harbor Recreation and the Working Waterfront. Their mission: to define needs, synthesize various agendas, prioritize land-use proposals and develop a comprehensive vision for the New York/New Jersey waterfront.

Of the nearly 400 Alliance Partners, more than 200 sent representatives -- scientists, engineers, urban planners, community advocates, government workers, boat captains and other stakeholders associated with our local waterways -- to participate in the MWA Task Forces.

Over many months, the Task Forces met and exchanged ideas. By the end of 2008, after countless hours of discussion, the six groups emerged with the Waterfront Action Agenda, a hard-won consensus on an equitable program for revitalizing the metropolitan waterfront. In its first year, the Waterfront Action Agenda already has had a significant impact on economic decisions, environmental priorities, transportation plans, public access, and infrastructure development pertaining to the local waterfront.

The Task Forces reconvened in the fall of 2009 to mull over some big questions as they got ready for another round of task force meetings in 2010.

Task force members were asked, for example, to come up with good ideas for funding for waterfront programs, what new waterfront-related federal, state or local legislation should be proposed, and what changes or additions should be made to the recommendations published in the fall of 2008 in the MWA White Papers.

The Task Forces have been convening throughout 2010 to work on practical proposals for waterfront policy through New York’s Comprehensive Waterfront Plan (CWP). The Task Forces have helped define the needs and concerns of all waterway stakeholders, prioritize land-use proposals and transportation plans, and advocate for public access.

MWA has used the information and suggestions gathered in the 2010 Task Forces to create comprehensive and area-specific proposals for the CWP. As the CWP is finalized, MWA will work with New York City agencies to ensure that the voices of community groups and initiatives are incorporated in the CWP vision.

If you would like more information on the MWA Task Forces, please contact Cortney Worrall, MWA's Director of Programs at 212-935-9831 ext. 102.

For a comprehensive list of the results of the last task force meetings, click here.