Major beach restoration moves forward at TOBAY Beach

A major beach restoration project is moving ahead in Oyster Bay. 

Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Lou Imbroto, Councilwoman Vicki Walsh and Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato recently met with representatives from state and federal government to oversee work being done at TOBAY Beach, where USACE has been replenishing the shoreline through a dredging project off the Fire Island inlet.

Contractors have worked around the clock to pump 90,000 tons of sand back to the beach, helping to safeguard the shoreline from storms and tidal surges while also protecting critical infrastructure, including the main pavilion and access roadway.

“This betterment project undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers is a fantastic example of cutting the red tape and finding solutions to restore the shoreline, protect critical infrastructure, and strengthen defensive dunes,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

“I convened the Army Corps of Engineers and the Towns to find a solution for these beaches, and I am happy to see this project – that will revitalize Tobay and Gilgo beaches – get done at limited cost to our towns and taxpayers.”

For the past several years, Town officials have spent millions of dollars rebuilding the beach and stabilizing the dunes against erosion.

A critical public access point to the shoreline, TOBAY Beach is located in the middle of Jones Beach Island, a barrier island off the south shore of Long Island.

The beach suffered a direct hit from Superstorm Sandy in 2012, and serves as a critical asset toward protecting the mainland, its property and population.