WASHINGTON, DC – Marking the 9-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, Representative Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, along with Members of the New York and New Jersey Congressional delegations, sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting full funding of the New York/New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study. 

“Today, the New York and New Jersey Harbor and tributary region remains vulnerable to extreme weather events,” wrote the Members. “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 in the Northeast, tragically killing 16 people in New York and 30 in New Jersey. The storm demonstrated that our constituents and local businesses remain at risk, and the communities we represent need more assistance.”  

In October 2012, Superstorm Sandy hit New York and New Jersey killing more than 280 people and causing more than $70 billion in damage. 

“We believe that a preventive investment in coastal storm risk management methods is preferable to significantly more expensive emergency recovery efforts after each natural disaster,” continued the Members. “That is why we support the New York/New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study, which aims to develop a comprehensive, long-term plan for protecting the region from future storms.”

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 remaining balance of funding is $9,624,000 to complete the study at its currently approved total cost. Moreover, by allocating the total remaining cost of the study now, the Army Corps could ensure that this critical project is not further delayed due to future funding gaps. Therefore, we respectfully request that you provide full funding for the New York/New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Focus Area Feasibility Study in your plan for the Disaster Supplemental,” concluded the Members. 

The New York and New Jersey Harbor and tributary region includes all of New York City, the Hudson River to Troy, NY; the lower Passaic, Hackensack, Rahway, and Raritan Rivers; the Upper and Lower Bays of New York Harbor, Newark, Jamaica, Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays; the Kill Van Kull, Arthur Kill and East River tidal straits; and Western Long Island Sound.

Rep. Jeffries and Sen. Schumer were joined by Representatives Adriano Espaillat, Jerrold Nadler, Nydia M. Velázquez, Carolyn B. Maloney, Grace Meng, Gregory W. Meeks, Ritchie Torres, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Bill Pascrell, Jr., Mikie Sherrill, Frank Pallone, Jr., Yvette D. Clarke, Josh Gottheimer, Sean Patrick Maloney and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez; along with Senators Cory A. Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Robert Menendez.

Click here to read the letter.