U.S. Reps Gregory Meeks and Michael Grimm along with the New York City Congressional Delegation Encourage the Secretary of Interior to Approve 16 Projects to Rebuild Vulnerable Areas Damaged By Super Storm Sandy

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC--Today, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks of Queens, NY and Congressman Michael Grimm of Staten Island, NY joined by the entire New York City Congressional delegation encouraged the Secretary of Interior, Sally Jewell, to approve 16 projects to rebuild vulnerable areas damaged by Super Storm Sandy. The projects, identified and endorsed by New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, would be funded through the Department of Interior's National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's Super Storm Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program. Designed to help communities rebuild and mitigate the impact of future storms, the grant program would support up to $32.35 million dollars of investment into rebuilding New York City's coastal communities.

"While our community is still recovering from the devastation imposed by Super Storm Sandy, these resources are essential to our long term development, stated Congressman Gregory W. Meeks. Meeks continues, "I am grateful to Mayor Bill de Blasio for prioritizing projects in and around Jamaica Bay, the Rockaways and throughout the city. The investment of up to $12.5 million will help our community leverage private capital to improve our infrastructure to withstand future storms and increase employment. I encourage Secretary Jewell to approve these critical projects that are vital to our economic recovery and long term resiliency."

"I am proud to join with the rest of my colleagues from the New York City Congressional delegation in supporting these crucial resiliency projects, said U.S. Rep Michael Grimm. Rep. Grimm continues, "It is imperative that while we work to restore and protect the natural resources of our communities impacted by Super Storm Sandy we do so in a way that prepares for potential future natural disasters. I wholeheartedly urge Secretary Jewell to approve these crucial projects needed to repair the damage we've already experienced and protect our city for the future."

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