BMT Community Forum · September 28, 2026
Where we are now & next steps
The BMT and BQE processes—and how our communities can take part.
John Leyva · BMT Works4NY
21 slides · View online below or open the PDF.
Participation details updated September 30, 2026. For the latest dates and filing instructions, see Current Action Steps.
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Brooklyn Marine Terminal: this is not over

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BROOKLYN MARINE TERMINAL This Is Not Over. Your Voice Still Matters. BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO START HERE Write down your concerns. Follow the red boxes to find your next action. BMT Community Forum • September 28, 2026 | Participation details updated September 30, 2026 Current BQE dates and filing instructions are included. Updates: bmtworksforny.org/action-center/
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Where we are now

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Where We Are Now Environmental review is underway. Scoping comments closed May 8, 2026. Ahead: Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and General Project Plan (GPP) public review. The development corporation and Advisory Task Force are active. Agency forecast: planning decisions in 2027. Formal notices set dates. Sources: ESD BMT; June 30 draft minutes, pp. 6, 8; May 8 scoping deadline; CEQR participation guidance. Checked September 28, 2026. 02 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW AND DURING PUBLIC REVIEW Follow up on your scoping concerns. CC elected officials and BMTWorks4NY@gmail.com for our log. When DEIS review opens, flag missing or inadequate analysis.
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The BMTDC board

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BMTDC Decisions Preparation Public Review Final Decisions Implementation Brooklyn Marine Terminal Development Corporation Chair: Michelle de la Uz 23 Directors 12 Yes votes required Capital budgets 4 Mayoral / ex-officio + 3 Governor within the required majority Sources: Bylaws, Art. II §§2, 11–12; Board information; Mission statement. Checked September 28, 2026. Special rule also covers executive-director appointment/removal. 03 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO BEFORE A BOARD VOTE Read agendas and watch board meetings. Ask elected officials and Community Board 6 to raise concerns. A gap in public accountability We found no published direct board contact or public comment process. BMTDC’s own commitment “transparency, accountability, and enforceable delivery of community commitments”
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Environmental review and the state plan

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The Study and the State Plan Preparation Public Review Final Decisions Implementation DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement Check the study’s impacts, alternatives and protections. Ask for missing analysis. GPP General Project Plan Request changes to the plan and its commitments before the state’s final decision. Sources: DEC SEQR process; UDC Act §16; ESD BMT. Initial GPP adoption starts public review; final action follows. 04 + BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN PUBLIC REVIEW OPENS Review the published study and plan. Request changes. Submit comments by the announced deadlines.
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BMT draft environmental comments

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BMT DEIS Comments Preparation Public Review Final Decisions Implementation City lead agency Office of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination administers review. The final statement must respond to substantive public comments. Preferred alternative for study Sources: April 8 official notice; BMT review; CEQR response requirements; City Club: Feb. 9, 2026 update. 05 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING THE DEIS COMMENT PERIOD Watch for the DEIS hearing notice and comment deadline. Flag unanswered concerns and gaps in the study. Tom Fox / City Club Blue Highway Plan 122 acres for maritime uses and Blue Highway freight. Ask for a fair DEIS comparison.
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The GPP decision

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The GPP Decision Preparation Public Review Final Decisions Implementation Empire State Development (ESD) Board Chair Kevin S. Law | President and CEO Hope Knight Public Hearing + Written Comments Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) At Least 10 Calendar Days Findings and Final GPP Action ESD may affirm, modify or withdraw the plan. The 10 days are for consideration. Sources: UDC Act §16(3); DEC SEQR process, steps 11–12. The 10-day period is not a new formal comment window. 06 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO DURING GPP PUBLIC REVIEW Send ESD your objections and requested changes. Follow the GPP notice’s instructions and deadline. Initial GPP adoption starts public review.
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Waterfront permits and coastal review

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Waterfront Permits & Coastal Review Preparation Public Review Final Decisions Implementation Additional reviews can follow their own timing. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) State permits + water-quality certification U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permits for work in regulated waters NYS Department of State (DOS) Coastal-consistency review Sources: DEC notices; DOS guidance; DOS notices; Pier 10 example—comments closed July 30, 2026. 07 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN A NOTICE OPENS Use that notice’s agency, permit number and deadline. Describe the impacts and protections needed.
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Pier 10: why we must stay alert

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Pier 10: Why We Must Stay Alert Source: DEC Pier 10 notice, July 15, 2026. DEC ID 2-6102-00722/00003. Outreach account: presenter. 08 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO STAY ALERT BETWEEN MEETINGS Watch our newsletters for notices and updates. Check each deadline and help neighbors respond. DEC’s Pier 10 crane-rail permit notice JULY 15 JULY 30 Notice published 2026 Comments closed 2026 OUR EXPERIENCE We did not receive an alert from the NYC Economic Development Corporation about this comment window. DEC application ID: 2-6102-00722/00003 Official notice and comment deadline Short comment windows can be easy to miss. Stay connected between public meetings.
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Who checks the funding?

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Public Authorities Control Board (PACB) New York State financing review for certain ESD actions. 3 Voting members must agree The legal test: sufficient funding commitments for the covered project. Offices connected to the voting appointments Governor Kathy Hochul Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie Sources: Public Authorities Law §50 / §51; BMTDC minutes, Exhibit A. Voting members may designate representatives. 09 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO BEFORE A COVERED PACB VOTE Ask the Governor and legislative leaders to explain the funding commitments and remaining gaps.
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One concern, clearly explained

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One Concern, Clearly Explained Illustrative Air-Quality Comment “Please study how truck queues and construction could affect air quality near homes and schools, including when BMT and BQE work overlap.” Locate It Name the place and relevant DEIS page, if known. Explain It Describe your concern; add observations if you have them. Ask Clearly Request the analysis, answer or change you need. You do not need your own technical study. Guides: NYC CEQR Basics / DEC Citizen’s Guide. Example asks for analysis; it does not assert measured harm. 10 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO START NOW Describe your concern and what you want studied or changed. Add photos or records if you have them.
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BMT: who to contact and why

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BMT: Who to Contact and Why City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) No. 25DME018K. City Hall Write to Mayor Zohran Mamdani Ask for the administration’s position. NYC Economic Development Corporation bmt@edc.nyc / BMTDC board records Project questions and board decisions. State Representatives Jo Anne Simon / Marcela Mitaynes Andrew Gounardes — State advocacy City Representatives Alexa Avilés / Shahana Hanif Antonio Reynoso — City advocacy Formal DEIS and GPP Comments BMT Environmental Review / ESD Notices Use each notice’s filing instructions. PACB: Financing Questions Financing review law / BMTDC records Ask appointing offices about covered actions. Official contact routes checked September 28, 2026. Advocacy letters do not replace formal submissions. 11 BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO NOW AND AT EACH REVIEW CC BMTWorks4NY@gmail.com on comments and concerns. Help us log concerns and advocate for the whole community.
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Brooklyn–Queens Expressway

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BMTWorks4NY BQE PROCESS Brooklyn–Queens Expressway (BQE) 12 NYC Department of Transportation leads this separate project. City-owned BQE Central including the triple cantilever The proposal retains two lanes in each direction and uses temporary bypasses during repairs. DOT draft illustration, September 24. Alignments may change. WHAT YOU CAN DO BQE: START WITH ITS OWN REVIEW Read the BQE proposal at nyc.gov/bqe. Prepare concerns about your streets and daily trips. Sources: NYC DOT BQE Central; Sept. 24 ATF materials—Meeting 6, pp. 8–9.
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BQE: current scoping dates

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BMTWorks4NY BQE PROCESS 13 SEP 30 Draft Scope released Comments begin Public meeting In person Public meeting Virtual Comment deadline WHAT YOU CAN DO October Q&As do not replace formal comments. Written comments due Both meetings: 6:30–8:30 p.m. ET. CEQR No. 26DOT006K. NOV 10 NOV 12 NOV 23 BQE: Current Scoping Dates Dates currently listed by NYC DOT. Check for updates. BQE: SEND YOUR COMMENT BY NOVEMBER 23. Email BQECentral@dot.nyc.gov by November 23. Source: NYC DOT BQE Central project webpage. Checked September 30, 2026.
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BQE: later reviews and decisions

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BMTWorks4NY BQE PROCESS BQE: Later Reviews and Decisions 14 LATE 2027 FORECAST DEIS review Read the study. Submit comments on impacts, alternatives and protections. 2028 FORECAST FEIS + approvals Check responses. Follow land-use hearings and parkland legislation. 2029–2040 FORECAST Construction, if approved Report disruption. Use DOT’s planned liaison, advisory committee and office hours. WHAT YOU CAN DO BQE: MORE THAN ONE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE Use each review’s hearing and comment process. Keep asking for answers as the project advances. Agency forecasts. Sources: DOT participation guide; Sept. 24 ATF materials—Meeting 6, p. 10; NYC Planning public review.
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Columbia Street Waterfront concerns

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BMTWorks4NY BQE PROCESS Columbia Street Waterfront Concerns 15 Traffic on Our Streets Measure diversion onto Columbia, Hicks, Clinton and Van Brunt, including Atlantic. Two Lanes or Three? Evaluate a three-lane alternative; explain engineering limits and local street effects. Access During Construction Examine truck routes, crossings, buses, emergency access, air quality and noise. Evidence Residents Can Review Publish DOT–EDC traffic assumptions and findings while people can respond. WHAT YOU CAN DO BQE: MAKE THE REQUEST SPECIFIC Name your block, intersection and travel times. Ask for evidence and specific protections. Sources: DOT FAQ: traffic and BMT coordination; Sept. 24 ATF materials—Meeting 6, pp. 8, 11–14.
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BQE: where your comments go

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BMTWorks4NY BQE PROCESS BQE: Where Your Comments Go 16 FORMAL BQE COMMENTS LOCAL ADVOCACY CONTACTS NYC DOT City Hall Project choices and protections Shahana Hanif CB6 Local streets and neighborhood concerns Jo Anne Simon Andrew Gounardes Parkland legislation and oversight WHAT YOU CAN DO BQE: FILE FORMALLY AND KEEP ADVOCATING Send BQE comments to the BQE review. Copy representatives and ask for written answers. BQECentral@dot.nyc.gov Use the project name and number below. BQE Central: CEQR No. 26DOT006K. Keep your comments and confirmation. Email your scoping comment by November 23, 2026. Sources: NYC DOT BQE Central webpage; NYC Planning public review. Checked September 30, 2026.
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Two projects, overlapping timelines

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BMTWorks4NY SHARED IMPACTS Two Projects, Overlapping Timelines 17 Separate reviews. The same neighborhood lives with the effects. BMT NEXT: DEIS + GPP Formal notices set dates 2038 environmental analysis year Not a promised completion date BQE 2026–2028 Environmental review + later approvals 2029–2032 Early works + bypasses Phases overlap Q3 2032–2040 Rehabilitation, bypass removal + restoration Agency forecasts; approvals and schedules may change. BMT’s construction start is not fixed here. WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN A CONCERN AFFECTS BOTH PROJECTS Submit it to each project’s formal record. Ask both agencies to study the combined impacts. Sources: ESD BMT; BMT scoping presentation, p. 16; Sept. 24 ATF materials—Meeting 6, p. 10.
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Stay active at every stage

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Stay Active at Every Stage Write Now Write to your representatives. Ask for written answers. Follow up. Comment Formally Submit your concerns. Use each official process. Keep confirmations. A letter prepared at this meeting is not automatically filed with an agency. 18 Work Together Help review a DEIS chapter. Share verified notices. Help neighbors write. BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO START NOW. KEEP GOING. Write. Follow up. Help a neighbor participate. Add formal comments as each review opens.
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Stay involved. Stay engaged.

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Stay Involved. Stay Engaged. See This Through. Put It in Writing. Submit It. Save It. Community survey: tinyurl.com/ymsw39st BMTWorks4NY WHAT YOU CAN DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE List all the concerns you want addressed. Make a plan to keep taking part. Follow our emails and notices. Share this guide with a neighbor.
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Reference links and image credits

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Reference Links & Image Credits Checked September 28, 2026. Agency notices control dates and filing instructions. 20 BMTWorks4NY BMT Environmental review • ESD project notices • BMTDC records DEC SEQR process • UDC Act §16 • PACB §50 / §51 Tom Fox / City Club Blue Highway Plan (Feb. 9, 2026 update) BQE DOT project and participation • DOT FAQ Sept. 24 ATF materials—Meeting 6 • NYC Planning public review Photographs Red Hook Container Terminal (2016): 001 and 002 by King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons. Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Photographs cropped and overlaid for this presentation.
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Please take our community survey

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BMTWorks4NY OUR WATERFRONT. YOUR VOICE. Please take our community survey Tell us your priorities. Help shape our community’s next steps. Your feedback will help guide our community advocacy. Scan with your phone’s camera TAKE PART tinyurl.com/ymsw39st