The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ NY & NJ Harbor & Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study (HATS), designed to ensure comprehensive solutions to historic flooding, has been met with both enthusiasm and consternation. This discussion considers what the region might realistically expect from the Army Corps of Engineers, both states, and New York City for HATS funding, implementation, and execution of projects. What are the right planning projections? How do we justify billions in investment that may not protect us before 2040 or 2050? Among the focal points for discussion are timelines, costs, state and federal processes, and other non-project, non-technical aspects of the study.
