With $50.7 billion allotted for Hurricane Sandy relief Monday, representative Tim Bishop met with the Army Corp. of Engineers to discuss providing much-needed relief to the businesses and motels along the waterfront damaged or in need of aid due to the frankenstorm. “I am pushing very hard for beach nourishing,” Bishop said. “The infrastructure is imperiled.”
While these billions of dollars have yet to be doled out on the Senate floor, it almost seems certain that the monetary support will find its way to regions hardest-hit by Hurricane Sandy. The main business district’s beachfront area was devastated back in October during the superstorm. As if the damage wasn’t enough, East Hampton Town Trustees have gotten in trouble over not providing enough sand for recovery efforts for private citizens.
“The immediate need in Montauk is an emergency, at least in my opinion, and it’s my job to convince the Corps of that,” Bishop said, adding “but we need to get some sand on the beach right now.”
“I spoke with Tim Bishop several times about this, including this morning,” Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. said. “We both agree that our primary push will be for downtown Montauk. That is the portion of my district that needs immediate attention and is most vulnerable to future storms. We would be looking for a beach nourishment project — not any hard structures.”
Local business owner Steve Kalimnios said “I’m ecstatic if the enthusiasm for some kind of beach project turns into dollars. I’m cautiously optimistic. This is good news that it’s being recognized as an emergency.”
