Congressman Lee Zeldin is following through with his promise to protect our South Shores from another Superstorm like Hurricane Sandy. The member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a follow up letter to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Colonel David A. Caldwell assuring he get a copy of the draft General Reevaluation Report (GRR). The report determines the projects to be included in the remainder of the Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) Project. This coastal project covers 75 miles of coastline, accounting for 80% of the First Congressional District of New York.
“The residents of the impacted communities must have a say on how their coastal resources are managed. It is imperative that the draft of the General Reevaluation Report on FIMP be released expeditiously and that there is a transparent and open public comment process.” – Congressman Lee Zeldin
In his letter, the Congressman expressed concern that other offices and agencies have been given a copy of the draft for review. However, his office has yet to receive the draft. Zeldin referred to the exclusion as unacceptable, stating that the duly elected official who answers to the people this affects should be made aware of the project prior to its release date. Finally, Congressman Zeldin has asked for a clear commitment date regarding the final draft GRR release that allows for a 90 day minimum, public comment period with multiple public hearings spread throughout the First Congressional District.
In the Congressman’s first letter to Colonel David A. Caldwell, Zeldin asked that the remaining $600 million in funding designated for the Fire Island to Montauk Point project go toward dire restorations, including:
- Dune Road (Southampton)
- Riviera Drive (Brookhaven)
- Dredging of Inlets including Moriches Inlet, East End Jetty at Patchogue River and Shinnecock Bay
- The Construction of a Jetty to protect Moriches Inlet
- Repair affected Bridges and Overpasses affected from Superstorm Sandy (Includes Smith Point Bridge and Ponguogue Bridge
- The Elevation of Homes in appropriate areas
- Solutions for road run off, drainage and paving improvements
- Replenishment of the Ditch Plains Beach (Montauk) and other coastal erosion projects
- Bellport and Mastic Beach Wastewater treatment
- Fishing Dock Repairs (Includes Ponguogue Bridge fishing dock)
- Proper funding for the nourishment of Fire Island Beaches along the dune line
- Sewer system study for the entire Fire Island Barrier Beach
- Completion of projects including the Smith Point County Park, Fire Island stabilization, Downtown Montauk Beach, Montauk Lighthouse Point, Watch Hill Marina, Lake Montauk Harbor and Hashamomuck Cove