WASHINGTON, DC – Marking the 9-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), along with Members of the New York Congressional delegation representing Brooklyn and Queens, sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting already approved funds be used to fund ecosystem restoration projects to benefit Jamaica Bay. 

“While it has been nearly a decade since Superstorm Sandy, many Americans continue to feel its devastating effects,” the Members wrote. “Today, the Jamaica Bay area remains vulnerable to extreme weather events. We were reminded of this disturbing fact last month, when Hurricane Ida and its remnants caused torrential downpours and significant flooding in low-lying neighborhoods, tragically killing 16 people in New York. The storm demonstrated that our constituents and local businesses remain at risk, and the communities we represent need more assistance.”

In September, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, a Disaster Supplemental to provide $28.6 billion in relief funding, including $100 million for high-priority projects in States that were affected by Hurricane Ida.

“The Spring Creek South (Howard Beach) Ecosystem Restoration and Coastal Storm Risk Management Study and the Hudson Raritan Estuary (HRE) – Stony Creek Marsh Island Ecosystem Restoration Project are high priorities for our constituents in New York City who would significantly benefit from the proposed measures,” continued the Members. “The Spring Creek South study will recommend a comprehensive, integrated solution to provide Howard Beach residents with a resilient and environmentally sustainable shoreline, providing long-needed storm risk management benefits and restoring critical habitat. The Stony Creek Marsh Island project will restore a total of 62 acres of habitat, including 49 acres of wetland, 3.5 acres of scrub/shrub and 1.4 acres of channel habitats, while providing critical secondary coastal storm risk management benefits to the adjacent communities.”

“These two projects represent significant steps in our efforts to protect vulnerable New Yorkers from the threat of future coastal storms and provide critical ecosystem services to Jamaica Bay and the neighborhoods that surround it. Therefore, we respectfully request that you provide full funding for both projects in your plan for the Disaster Supplemental,” concluded the Members.

Rep. Jeffries was joined by Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand along with Representatives Yvette D. Clarke, Grace Meng, Gregory Meeks, Jerry Nadler and Nydia M. Velázquez. 

Click here to read the letter.