The next step in the BMT land use process is the environmental review. Here’s what to know, by Max White

Now that the Brooklyn Marine Terminal Task Force has approved their “vision plan” to redevelop the 122-acre industrial waterfront site, the long process leading to a groundbreaking for the proposed $3.5 billion project has begun.

The EDC plan says they will modernize and electrify the port, add new park space, prepare the site and surrounding area for climate change, add retail, a hotel, 15 or more residential skyscrapers, and more.

But, before all of that can begin, the next step is the environmental review process, by which government agencies can identify and assess the project’s potential impacts to the neighborhood and beyond.

This is just an early step in the long process before the build year, which the city has targeted to be 2038, but at least one elected official thinks it could take significantly longer.

For the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is warranted to analyze the project in advance of capital investment by the city and state and approval of the General Project Plan, the final project plan for the site, among other actions.

The EIS will consider the project’s impacts during construction and numerous other areas once it’s complete, including air quality, noise and natural resources. It will also examine mitigation measures and alternatives.

City Councilwoman Alexa Avilés, who represents parts of Red Hook as part of the 38th District, said an EIS could be a way for residents to hold to account the organization that spearheaded the plan, the New York City Economic Development Corporation.

“There are many challenges here,” Avilés told a crowded room of more than 100 residents on Nov. 17 at a BMT community forum in Carroll Gardens. “The EIS is another approach to begin to put forward a unified message around the places that we need to focus and get some real answers.”

But, before an EIS, the drafting of a Scope of Work is required. The Draft Scope of Work (DSOW) outlines methodologies of analysis and defines the project for environmental review purposes. The public can comment on the DSOW.

Deadline extended
Recently, the New York City Economic Development Corporation extended the deadline to submit written testimony on the Draft Scope of Work from Dec. 11 to the end of March 2026. Many residents and community leaders had complained that the period’s previous length was too short. Jo Anne Simon pointed out that the comment period was ending before the RFEI process would.

The RFEI process is the excuse that Borough President Reynoiso gave for changing his mind about the vision plan. He originally was very public about his opposition to funding a port facility with luxury housing, proclaiming at a local rally against the plan that such a funding model for the $5 billion rebuild of LaGuardia Airport was never considered. But on September 19, in an appearance on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer show, he explained his flip by saying that he was able to get the RFEI processed added to the plan.

RFEI stands for Requests for Expression on Interest and in this case invites port operators to offer proposals for the maritime operation portion of the Vision Plan. According to Reynoso, the proposals could entertain a greater use of the acreage than is in the vision plan, meaning less housing. It is unclear whether these proposals will be made public, and the EDC is not required to accept any plan at all.

Public comments encouraged
With the period still open, community activists and leaders are urging residents to submit comments on the DSOW regardless of their technical knowledge. Multiple community activists have urged the environmental review’s study area to expand farther beyond the redevelopment’s footprint.

“Now is our time to talk about this. Now is our time to comment on it. Now is our time to think about it and talk to your neighbors about it,” said State Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon, who represents parts of Carroll Gardens as part of the 52nd State Assembly district, at the Nov. 17 forum.

Simon also sat on the task force that crafted the vision plan. She was one of eight members to vote against the plan, describing the process to conceive the plan as rushed and lacking transparency.

Voices of the Waterfront, a community organization concerned about the BMT plans, created a document with tips for residents who want to submit comments or testify on the environmental review.

Not every public meeting has gone smoothly, as there’s still tension between those who supported the vision plan and its critics. State Senator Andrew Gounardes, whose 26th district covers the Western Brooklyn waterfront and who voted to approve the vision plan as vice chair of the task force, faced vocal pushback from residents at a heated Cobble Hill Association meeting on Nov. 20.

Gounardes and critics vocally sparred at the meeting, as voices were raised and meeting organizers asked for calm. Still, he defended the plan, calling it a compromise between various visions for the industrial waterfront site.

“I think that the responsible thing to do is to figure out a way, amongst multiple competing visions that we’ve heard from, a path forward that answers each of those calls in a way that makes the most sense, and that’s why I approve the plan,” Gounardes said at the Nov. 20 meeting. “ I recognize that not everyone agrees with that. I respect that.”

He added that he’s still pushing for more accountability and that he will not support the plan if it develops into something he doesn’t feel comfortable with, although what that might be remained unsaid.

After the comment period, a Final Scope of Work that addresses public comments will be prepared and will be the basis for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). A Final Environmental Impact Statement will be produced from the DEIS. A draft General Project Plan will be released around the time the DEIS is released. Numerous other government groups will then have to approve the GPP.

Stay aware
Alison Melick, a Carroll Gardens resident, attended the Nov. 17 meeting and told the Red Hook Star Revue that it was helpful to learn more about the environmental review and redevelopment process. She now wants to convince as many people as she can to pay attention to the project.

“I’m hoping that people are getting motivated and mobilized here to really expect accountability on this project,” Melick said.