Huntington, NY - Sept. 26, 2018 - Congressman Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island, Queens) has received confirmation from Col. Thomas Asbery, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, that the Corps is willing to hold a hearing in his district, within the next 45 days. The Corps also agreed to extend the deadline for public comment an additional 45 days for a related feasibility study. On Thursday, Congressman Suozzi requested the Army Corps of Engineers hold a hearing in his district on the proposed Long Island Sound tidal gates to be located near the Throgs Neck Bridge.
“I am willing to work together with the Army Corps, on behalf of my constituents, and am pleased that they are willing to hold hearings within the coming weeks. The people who live along our North Shore in Queens and Nassau Counties need to know all the ramifications of these proposed tidal gates,” said Congressman Suozzi.
“I am very pleased that Congressman Suozzi was able to convince the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to hold a public hearing on this critical issue and to extend the public comment period an additional 45 days. A more thorough investigation must be conducted on this proposal to construct sea barriers in Long Island Sound to protect New York City during major storms. This proposed plan could have the unintended consequence of causing some of our North Hempstead communities outside of these barriers to absorb those very flood waters. It’s an issue that surely needs more discussion,” stated North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth.
“The Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee is thankful that the Army Corps will hold a hearing in our area. We are concerned about the impact of induced flooding on our coastal communities. Member municipalities have spent many millions of dollars to improve their shorelines and do not want their investment jeopardized. We welcome the hearing to explore in more detail the potential impacts on our communities and residents and we are very grateful for Congressman Tom Suozzi’s efforts to bring about this hearing,” stated Eric Swenson, Executive Director of Hempstead Harbor Protection Committee
“Our initial review of this plan has set off alarm bells. The proposed plan to place sea walls in Long Island Sound and harden coastlines could set us back decades of progress. A public hearing is necessary for Long Island communities that may be harmed by the plan and we are delighted to work with Congressman Suozzi on this important issue. Planning for extreme weather and climate change should be an open process, inclusive of all impacted communities. We cannot allow Long Island to be sacrificed to save New York City, both must be protected,” stated Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
The purpose of the gates is to protect New York City, and area residents, from possible flooding due to extreme weather events, and rising sea levels, caused by climate change. We need to know what the impacts will be along Long Island’s North Shore.
Congressman Suozzi represents the North Shore of Long Island and Northeastern Queens. The District stretches from the Throgs Neck Bridge in Queens, through Nassau County to the western portion of King Park in Suffolk County. It includes the shoreline communities of Little Neck Bay, Manhasset Bay, Hempstead Harbor, Oyster Bay, and Huntington Bay.
“Over the past 20 years, New York, Connecticut, and federal government have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to improve the water quality of Long Island Sound. The Sound is healthier than it has been in decades. The federal government has a responsibility to avoid, minimize and mitigate any actions it takes that would impact the environment. Therefore, it is essential that the Army Corps take the time that is necessary to conduct a full and thorough review of not only the impact on study area, but also of the impacts on the areas immediately outside the study area, including those on my district,” said Suozzi.
As Co-Chair of the Long Island Sound Caucus, the Congressman has worked tirelessly to secure funding for the revitalization of the Sound. This month, Congress passed legislation that included $65 million per year, for the next five years, in funding authorizations that will directly help the Sound.