Reps. Israel, Bishop Announces $7 Million To Protect South Shore From Flooding And Hurricanes
REPS. ISRAEL, BISHOP ANNOUNCE $7 MILLION TO PROTECT SOUTH SHORE FROM FLOODING AND HURRICANES
Today, U.S. Representatives Steve Israel and Tim Bishop announced the House Appropriations Committee passage of $7 million for a project that would protect the South Shore of Long Island from coastal erosion, flooding and hurricanes. This funding, for the Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) Reformulation Study, represents an increase of $4.5 million from last year's enacted funding for the project and $2.8 million over the President's budget request. The funding would help bring the FIMP study closer to completion and put additional sand on South Shore beaches.
"It's not a matter of if, but when, a hurricane may strike Long Island," said Congressman Israel, a member of the House Appropriations Committee on Energy and Water which passed the funding increase. "$7 million will go a long way towards ensuring that our South Shore communities are protected against flooding and storm damage and toward a comprehensive planning process for the 83-mile shore."
"This is very good news for our communities on the South Shore which have been waiting almost fifty years for the FIMP study to be completedthe finish line is now within our reach," said Congressman Bishop. "Moreover, the significant funding for beach renourishment to the west of Shinnecock Inlet will bring much-needed sand, which in turn will flow down the shoreline, providing a critical benefit to the entire shoreline."
Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee passed the 2008 Energy and Water Spending Bill, which included $7 million that the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the project. Of this, $1 million will go towards Fire Island to Montauk Point Reformulation Study, including the continuation of necessary environmental studies and planning and design efforts required for developing a comprehensive, long-term regional strategy for the South Shore. In upcoming weeks, the US Army Corps of Engineers, which is conducting the study, will hold public meetings to discuss progress and to receive input from communities.
Additionally, this funding will be used for coastal monitoring ($800,000) and periodic beach renourishment ($3.1 million for Westhampton and $2.1 million for West of Shinnecock Inlet).
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