U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congressman Steve Israel and Congressman Peter King today announced that the Town of Oyster Bay was awarded $17,525,038 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding, which will reimburse the town for the cost of debris removal in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
“Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage in Oyster Bay necessitating a massive cleanup effort for the towns that, in turn, had the potential to be very costly to local taxpayers,” said Schumer. “This reimbursement for debris cleanup is critical in ensuring that Long Islanders don’t have to shoulder the entire burden, and I am pleased to deliver this necessary funding.”
“The Town of Oyster Bay suffered severe damage and its workers, officials and first responders worked tirelessly around the clock removing debris in the aftermath of the storm,” said Gillibrand. “This necessary reimbursement is a vital step forward as we continue to meet Oyster Bay’s needs to recover and rebuild.”
“It’s bad enough to be hit with an historic storm like Sandy—and even worse when local taxpayers have to shoulder the burden of repair costs on their own. I am pleased that Oyster Bay will receive the funding they deserve from FEMA for the cost of debris removal to defray these costs, and I am proud of the town’s hard work to rebuild and repair.”
“The Town of Oyster Bay and Long Island suffered greatly from the most devastating storm in the history of our region. As we continue to rebuild, this necessary funding will go a long way to alleviate the Town’s burden,” said King.
“The Town of Oyster Bay, our workforce and our residents demonstrated tremendous resolve and perseverance following Hurricane Sandy,” Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto said. “This federal assistance is vital in assisting the Town as we continue our cleanup and restoration efforts.”
This federal reimbursement is being provided by FEMA under authority of Section 406 of the Stafford Act. The money will act as reimbursement for the cleanup of over 23,000 tons of vegetative debris from October 27, 2012, through January 12, 2013. Oyster Bay sustained damage for weeks after the storm, including downed trees, uprooted stumps, fallen limbs, downed power lines, and severely damaged infrastructure.