Coney Island

Treyger lauds post-Sandy shoreline restoration

But councilmember says more needs to be done

June 14, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (at podium) says the completion of the project will help provide security against future storms. Photo courtesy of Schumer’s office
Share this:

The completion of a major project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to strengthen the Coney Island shoreline against future natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy is a great step, but more work needs to be done, according to Councilmember Mark Treyger.

Treyger (D-Coney Island-Gravesend-Bensonhurst) was among several elected officials who attended a ceremony at Coney Island held by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) on Monday to mark the finish line for a $25 million federally funded resiliency project at the shoreline.

As part of the project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed four T-groin/rock jetties and replenished the sand at the beach, officials said.

“While this is certainly welcome news, this is just another piece of what must be a larger comprehensive plan to protect all of Southern Brooklyn’s vulnerable coastal communities,” Treyger wrote in a Facebook post.

“This sand replenishment and protection project will help control erosion, but more is needed to protect this area from future weather-related storms, as well as from the financial storm to be caused by future flood insurance adjustments,” Treyger wrote, calling for a regional plan to protect the entire Southern Brooklyn waterfront.

Treyger is the chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Recovery and Resiliency. The committee was created by Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito in the wake of Superstorm Sandy at the request of Treyger and Councilmember Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook-Sunset Park).

Still, Treyger admitted that there was much to celebrate with the completion of the shoreline project.

On Monday, Schumer was joined by Treyger, U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler, U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and other officials at the announcement.

Col. David Caldwell, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District, said the project was aimed at increasing the resiliency of the Coney Island shoreline and preventing sand erosion at the beach.

“The Coney Island community, like so many others, experienced major devastation, flooding and beach erosion during Hurricane Sandy. This project strengthens Coney Island’s resiliency, makes it more sustainable and reduces risks associated with severe storm events,” Caldwell said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers placed 70,000 cubic yards of sand at Sea Gate Beach in the last phase of the project.

Schumer called the project’s completion great news.

“The completion of the Coney Island coastal protection project is great news and will provide desperately needed security against future storms and floods for the people of Coney Island and Sea Gate. We worked long and hard to secure the federal funding for this essential effort with Congressman Nadler leading the charge and Congressman Jeffries helping to bring it across the finish line,” Schumer said.

The project was funded through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, a Sandy relief bill approved by Congress. 

To reinforce the shoreline, 30,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed on the beach every 10 years, officials said.

 

Subscribe to our newsletters


Leave a Comment


Leave a Comment