Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee has approved the FY11 Appropriations Bill, which includes $250,000 for an Army Corp of Engineers study along the south shore of Staten Island. Funding will be used to identify solutions and protection measures for several Staten Island communities hit hard by hurricane and storm damages. The loss of beachfront currently leaves the area vulnerable to devastation from future storms. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand worked closely with members of the Appropriations Committee to include funding for the project in this year’s spending bill.
“The preservation and protection of Staten Island’s beautiful South Shore are essential measures in preventing future storm damage from devastating Staten Island,” Senator Schumer said. “The funds appropriated to the Army Corps Study will lead to much needed solutions that will correct past, present, and future damage caused by storms. I will fight to see this funding through the full appropriations process.”
“For too long, Staten Island communities have been dealing with the lasting damages from decades-old storms,” Senator Gillibrand said. “This federal investment will help develop needed solutions to repair and restore damaged structures and examine ways to protect this vulnerable area from future devastation.”
The Northeaster of December 1992 and the March 1993 storm caused evacuations in several communities, damage to hundreds of structures from flooding, and loss of 30 structures due to major erosion. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a feasibility study in 2000, involving federal, state, and local agencies. After several years of delay due to lack of funding, this feasibility study is now back underway. Federal funding for the study, which covers approximately 13 miles of the Staten Island coastline, will help identify necessary measures to reduce the hurricane and storm damage.
Yesterday, the Appropriations Bill for the Energy and Water Subcommittee passed the full committee. The legislation will head to the floor for a full vote before the Senate. The bill will then move towards Conference with the House and then to the President for signature.