U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder called on the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide protective sand placement at Riis Park and Fort Tilden.
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 and Fort Tilden.
“ This weak link leaves surrounding residential areas of Neponsit, Belle Harbor, Roxbury and Breezy Point vulnerable during the next storm ,” said the representatives.
Because Riis Park and Fort Tilden are maintained by DOI, Schumer and Goldfeder are urging these federal agencies to incorporate these areas in a comprehensive sand protection system for the Rockaway Peninsula.
“ Riis Park and Fort Tilden are the missing pieces in our effort to protect the entire Rockaway peninsula in the event of a future storm, ” said Schumer. “ The Department of Interior and the Army Corps should implement the same sand placement for these areas as the rest of Rockaway so that they are not left vulnerable if another Superstorm Sandy come our way .”
“ Our first priority must be barriers and flood protection across the entire peninsula to make sure our community is stronger and more resilient for the future ,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder .
“ Rockaway is only as strong as our weakest beach. I urge the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of the Interior to place sand at Riis Park and Fort Tilden and provide our families with the peace of mind they deserve. I commend Senator Schumer for making the safety of our families a top priority and for his continuous advocacy on behalf of all our families. ”
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; no plan for protective sand placement exists for Riis Beach or Fort Tilden.
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Press Release, March 19, 2014