Long Island, NY – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced a $1,576,133 grant for Stony Brook University’s Research Foundation, which is part of the National Sea Grant College Program network. This funding is provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) and will be used to carry out research and education training for issues critical to New York’s coastal communities, including flooding due to storm surges, hazard resilience, fisheries, and water quality.
“This is an important investment for Stony Brook University,” Senator Gillibrand said. “As we learn the lessons of Superstorm Sandy, we must develop a storm-resilient strategy to ensure that our coastal communities are armed with innovative practices to protect New York from future disasters. This critical research will help us move closer towards that goal and will help improve and protect the air quality and drinking water for New York’s coastal residents.”
“These funds will be used by Sea Grant to sustain and improve its ongoing programs to promote wise coastal resource management and the resiliency of coastal communities in New York in the face of events like Superstorm Sandy,” said William Wise, Interim Director of the New York Sea Grant Program at Stony Brook University. “New York Sea Grant has partnered in this effort with NOAA for more than 40 years. We appreciate Senator Gillibrand’s support as we help New Yorkers assure the lifestyle, economy and quality of the environment in coastal regions throughout New York State.”
This federal investment for fiscal years 2014 to 2017 will be used to fund research and education training on fisheries, water quality, hazard resilience and toxic algal blooms. The National Sea Grant program, established in 1966 by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s NOAA, is a network of more than 30 joint Federal and State university programs that conduct research, carryout outreach activities and deliver valuable services to their states.