In November 1971, the newly created Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a monumental photodocumentary project called DOCUMERICA to “photographically document subjects of environmental concern” in the United States. The collection, now at the National Archives, resulted in a collection of more than 20,000 photographs by its conclusion in 1978.
One of the photographers involved in the project was Arthur Tress. Appointed the general New York Harbor area, Tress took photographs of Jamaica Bay, Staten Island, Sheepshead Bay and beaches by the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. From 1973 Tress focused his camera on “decay, neglect and the impact of increasing urbanization”.
Plum Beach, Sheepshead Bay.
Lifeguard takes a sunbath at Great Kills Park on Staten Island.
Abandoned car in Jamaica Bay.
Sand covers abandoned car on beach at Breezy Point South of Jamaica Bay.
School excursion on the Staten Island Ferry, crossing Upper New York Bay.
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