Governors Island Preservation Act of 2001

The Governors Island Preservation Act of 2001 (S. 689) was designed to transfer ownership and management of Governors Island in New York Harbor from the federal government to the State of New York and the Department of the Interior. Under this bill, the historic fortifications on the island would be designated as a National Monument managed by the National Park Service, while the remaining land would be conveyed to the state for public use.

For citizens, this legislation aimed to ensure the island remained a public resource by requiring that any future development be consistent with historic preservation and public access. The bill established protections to prevent the island from being used for private residential or industrial purposes, instead prioritizing its role as a site for education, recreation, and the maintenance of maritime navigation aids. While this specific bill did not become law, its objectives were largely achieved through subsequent executive action and federal land transfers in 2003.