Governor Cuomo Announces $1 Million to Restore Protective Sand Dune at Tiana Beach
Suffolk County Restoration Project Will be Completed Well in Advance of Summer Tourism Season
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced New York State will provide
approximately $1 million in NY Works funding to restore a sand dune at
Tiana Beach in Suffolk County to prevent a breach of the protective barrier
island. The dune replacement, which will be completed in time for the
summer tourism season, is necessary to sustain the region's natural
setting. Much of the area had been left vulnerable following coastal erosion
from major nor’easter storms in 2013 and 2014.
“Today we are continuing to build back stronger and smarter to meet
the new reality of extreme weather,” Governor Cuomo said. “This
project is a critical part of the effort to protect Tiana Beach and the
surrounding communities from the dangers of storms like Hurricane Sandy,
and I am proud that our administration is moving it forward.”
More than 50,000 cubic yards of sand will be used to repair approximately
3,000 linear feet of the dune. Once reconstructed, the dune will absorb
energy from the waves and wind, helping to prevent or minimize damage.
Tiana Beach is located within the Hampton Bays on the West Hampton Barrier
Island. Barrier islands prevent the mainland from facing the full force
of a storm. If dunes on the barrier island wash away during a coastal
storm, a breach could occur, leaving mainland homes and structures susceptible
to significant damage.
Suffolk County Department of Public Works is currently placing the sand
and forming it into protective dunes as the Town of Southampton manages
the project. Photos of the dune reconstruction can be viewed
here,
here and
here.
NY Works will provide 70 percent reimbursement for the approximately $1.42
million project; Suffolk County and the Town of Southampton will fund
the remaining portion of the project. The Town of Southampton began the
dune re-nourishment work in January and expects to complete the project
by April 1.
State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens
said, “Under Governor Cuomo, the state has provided critical assistance
to ensure communities are prepared for potential storms, especially in
coastal areas that bear the brunt of storm surges. DEC is pleased to work
with the Town of Southampton and Suffolk County on this vital project
to enhance the safety of residents and the local community.”
Senator Ken LaValle said, “I am pleased that we are restoring the
dune on the Tiana beach barrier island after several major storms have
ravaged the area. Maintaining the protection provided by the barrier beaches
along our southern shores is crucial to preventing the widespread devastation
we saw with Superstorm Sandy. We must assist nature in re-building the
dunes along the ocean to preserve marine and plant life and property.”
Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. stated, “I wish to thank the Governor
for his pro-active approach to addressing coastal issues along our barrier
beach at Tiana. This is a great example of the state working with local
government to protect our communities from potential damage from future
storms. This type of foresight will help to avoid the type of damage that
occurred from breaches to the barrier beach in Westhampton in the 1990s.
This $1 million investment today will help to avoid the millions of dollars
of losses that could be inflicted on homes and businesses if a breach
were to occur.”
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said, “The dune restoration
at Tiana Beach is critical in our efforts to rebuild our coastline stronger,
and is vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents on
the East End as well as the thousands of tourists who visit Suffolk County
every year. By collaboratively working together with our state and local
officials, including Governor Cuomo and Supervisor Throne-Holst, we are
proactively working to reconstruct the dunes in order to provide optimal
storm damage reduction along the South Shore from coastal erosion and
tidal inundation.”
Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst said, “This emergency
project is a shining example of state, county and town government working
together to proactively address a perilous situation. The Town is enormously
grateful to the New York State DEC for its swift response to the Town’s
request for assistance, and to Suffolk County for its active support of
the arrangement and its extensive collaboration during construction."