The future of Jamaica Bay matters to all of us, so we must work together.

Mayor Bloomberg and Interior Secretary Salazar also announced the formation of a task force to help create a bay conservancy.Such is the message that came out of City Hall on Tuesday, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar signed a historic partnership agreement between New York City and the federal government to jointly manage the Jamaica Bay parkland henceforth in a coordinated manner.

The agreement is designed to correct what's been a longstanding problem: the separation of responsibilities and the lack of coordination between the different agencies that oversee the bay, which has left many environmental issues stubbornly unresolved.

The parkland around Jamaica Bay encompasses more than 10,000 acres of ecologically rich salt marsh and forest area. Its location along the Atlantic migratory flyway also makes it one of the most biologically diverse regions on the entire eastern seaboard.

However, the bay's proximity to Kennedy International Airport, four sewage treatment plants and densely populated neighborhoods has taken a toll on its health over the years.

This official partnership will enable the different levels of government to combine their resources in order to restore natural landscapes, clean the bay's water, reduce pollution runoff and expand access to recreational activities, such as kayaking, fishing, biking and boating.

And to raise awareness about this natural treasure in the city's backyard, ecological boat tours will be planned, as is a potential science center to sponsor research and education programs.

Jamaica Bay is a big issue for us at NYLCV. Our Communications Director, Dan Hendrick, penned a book on the bay's history and is currently shooting the first-ever documentary film on the fight to save the bay.