SCHUMER, DONOVAN, ODDO ANNOUNCE $2 MILLION IN SANDY-RELIEF FUNDS TO KICK START DESIGN OF STATEN ISLAND SEAWALL PROJECT
Following Joint Push By Lawmakers, Army Corps Expeditiously Approved the Project’s Feasibility Report, Permitting the Army Corps to Begin Intensive Design Work; Approval Was Granted Months Ahead of Schedule
Schumer, Donovan, Oddo Announce Millions in Federal Funding to Create Blueprints for Ultimate Construction of Sea Wall Project
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Congressman Dan Donovan, and Borough President James Oddo recently announced $2 million in federal funding to kick start the design phase of the Staten Island Sea Wall project. The $2 million in Sandy-relief funds have been provided to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and will go towards field surveys and geo-technical work. Last year, Schumer and Donovan successfully urged the Army Corps to expeditiously review and approve the Director’s Report for the Staten Island Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.
"When it comes to protecting Staten Island from damaging storms and surges, we have to utilize every tool in the tool box and that is why hammering out a plan for the Island's sea wall is so critical," said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. "These resiliency funds will drive the first nail into the plan to construct the sea wall and protect homeowners, business owners and all of the resources that define this cherished island."
Congressman Dan Donovan said, “This marks the beginning of an intensive design process that will lay the groundwork for one of Staten Island’s most transformative projects. The seawall is so important to protecting life and property and to reducing flood insurance premiums. We’ll continue to aggressively push to keep the project on schedule.”
Borough President James Oddo said, “This is one project where we simply cannot afford to see delays. It is that important for the future of our borough. Today’s announcement represents further progress on a project that will help protect our East Shore from Mother Nature’s wrath. I am proud of the continuing bipartisan partnership with Senator Schumer and Congressman Donovan as we jointly work to get it moving forward as quickly as possible.”
City Council Minority Leader Steven Matteo said, "The transfer of these funds is welcome news to Staten Islanders living in our East Shore communities and another positive step towards making the sea wall a reality. This is the most critical public works project our borough has seen in decades, and my colleagues and I will continue to be vigilant as we seek to shepherd the sea wall to construction."
“This critical infrastructure project will make our shoreline communities more resilient to future storms,” said Council Member Joseph C. Borelli. “As we enter the next phase of this project ahead of schedule, thanks to the coordinated efforts of Senator Schumer, Congressman Donovan, and Borough President Oddo, our shoreline is one step closer to wholesome protection.”
Last year, Schumer successfully pushed the Army Corps to expedite the review process of the Staten Island Sea Wall Project by issuing a “Director’s Report.” Specifically, the “Director’s Report” does not require a Civil Works Review Board and therefore expedites the review process because it cuts out this unnecessary step. The project’s final public notice period began in September and finished on October 17th. Once the public notice period ended, the “Director’s Report” was sent directly to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) for review and approval. Following the completion of the final public notice period, Schumer and Donovan urged the Department of the Army to swiftly approve these plans.
The project is divided into three phases: feasibility, design, and construction. During the feasibility phase, which concluded in 2016, the Army Corps determined whether construction was possible, estimated costs and benefits, and completed preliminary engineering work.
Schumer, Donovan and Oddo recently announced $2 million in funds for the project’s design phase. During the design phase, engineers and architects will create detailed blueprints and construction plans. Lastly, during the construction phase, the Army Corps and contractors will build the seawall based on the design. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2018 or early 2019.