U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and New York City Councilman James S. Oddo urged the Army Corps of Engineers to secure a source for the sand necessary to implement the Midland Beach emergency storm protection project.
In May, Schumer and Oddo pushed the Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to correct a policy mistake that originally excluded Midland Beach from receiving temporary protection measures along its shoreline. Recently, New York City Parks announced $5 million for protective measures at Midland Beach and today, Schumer and Oddo urged the Army Corps to commit to a source for the much-needed sand so that the shoreline can be protected as soon as possible.
“ Midland Beach was desperately hurt by Superstorm Sandy and we need to make sure this community is protected in the event of a future storm ,” said Schumer. “ NYC Parks allocated this funding and now all we need is the sand. The Army Corps should immediately find a source for this sand so that this project can begin immediately .”
“ Our community continues to be particularly vulnerable. That is why when at a recent meeting with the Army Corps and the NYC Parks Department, when the Army Corps indicated their Sandy Hook dredging project could create materials that could be used to protect other communities, we jumped at the opportunity. Senator Schumer and I are saying in a united voice, ‘Let New York City Parks have the first shot at that material to help all of us protect the folks in Midland Beach and Staten Island. As always, it’s a pleasure to have an ally like Senator Schumer and I thank him for having Staten Island’s back yet again, ” said Councilman Oddo .
New York City Parks has announced $5 million for the Midland Beach protection project. The Army Corps is currently working on providing Parks with approximately 200,000 yards of sand needed to complete this project. Some possible options being explored are the Sandy Hook Channel dredge, other dredging operation, as well as existing quarry reserves in New Jersey.
Schumer and Oddo urged the Army Corps to begin locating the sand for this much-needed project at Midland Beach so that the shoreline can be protected immediately.
[mappress]
Press Release, July 9, 2013