Washington, DC - May 21, 2014 - U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder today announced that, after their push, the Department of the Interior (DOI) will provide $5 million in federal funding for 200,000 cubic yards of protective sand placement at Riis Park. The Army Corps is currently replacing sand lost between Beach 19th and Beach 149th streets, however, a major gap in protection remains at Riis Park. In March, Schumer and Goldfeder called for this project to be approved and funded.
“This federal funding is terrific news for residents on the Rockaway Peninsula and the millions of New Yorkers who visit Riis Park beach because the project provides sand placement at a location where there is currently a major gap in protection,” said Schumer. “Sand placement at Riis Park will help ensure that visitors can enjoy a world-class beach and residents in this community are not left vulnerable in the event of a future storm, and I am pleased that Assemblyman Goldfeder and I helped secure this much-needed $5 million in funding.”
"I commend the DOI for making the safety of our families a top priority and providing adequate protection for our beaches," said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway). "Rockaway is only as strong as its weakest beach and I applaud Senator Schumer for his continued advocacy to assist our families in the aftermath of Sandy."
The Army Corps has already provided 3.5 million cubic yards of sand to New York City Parks’ beaches in the Rockaways and is in the process of building a dune and sand replacement between Beach 19th and Beach 149th streets.