U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Steve Israel have announced $1.67 million in federal funding to the Town of North Hempstead in Nassau County for the restoration of Leeds Pond, damaged as a direct result of Hurricane Sandy.
The funding was allocated through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be used to cover administrative costs including engineer fees and initial design plans for the restoration of Leeds Pond.
“ North Hempstead’s Leeds Pond was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, and this funding will make sure it is properly dredged ,” said Senator Schumer . “ This federal funding will ensure that local taxpayers are not entirely on the hook for the restoration of Leeds Pond. ”
“ Securing this funding through FEMA is the first phase in the process to remove the sediment build-up and finally restore Leeds Pond. These investments remain critical as renovation efforts progress and we continue rebuilding our infrastructure on Long Island ,” said Senator Gillibrand .
Leeds Pond is a small shallow water body located in the Town of North Hempstead at the southern end of the Port Washington Peninsula that collects storm water runoff.
In 2012, Superstorm Sandy caused Manhasset Bay to surge and flood various facilities owned and operated by the Town of Hempstead. The flooding eroded the marshlands along Manhasset Bay beach and deposited the eroded materials into Leeds Pond. Preliminary plans calls for dredging and disposal of all sediments and re-contouring the pond’s bottom.
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