Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects
In New York State, Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Projects are constructed through a three-way partnership. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the federal partner, DEC is known as the "Non-Federal Sponsor" and the local municipality is the project's Local Sponsor. These projects are typically cost shared between the three parties (Federal, State, and local), but under certain circumstances the Federal government may undertake these projects at a 100% Federal expense. DEC works with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Local Sponsor to bring these projects from the study phase through construction to completion. As the Non-Federal Sponsor, DEC is tasked with responsibilities such as reviewing the scope of work, plans, environmental reports, coordinating with the Local Sponsor, interfacing with the public and providing the necessary real estate for project construction. These responsibilities vary by project and are laid out in agreements signed before the beginning of each phase of the project.
DEC is currently involved in five Coastal Storm Risk Reduction Projects:
- South Shore Staten Island Coastal Storm Risk
- Fire Island to Montauk Point
- New York-New Jersey Harbor & Tributaires
- Montauk Point Lighthouse Coastal Storm Risk
- Rockaway Beach Queens, NY Coastal Storm Risk
Image provided by USACE
South Shore Staten Island Coastal Storm Risk
Management Project
The South Shore of Staten Island Project (leaves DEC website) has been developed to provide a level of protection from coastal flooding such as that during Superstorm Sandy for the inland communities along the South Shore of Staten Island. The Project includes the use of drainage structures, seawalls, levees, and revetments for approximately seven miles of Staten Island from the Verrazano Bridge to Oakwood Beach. The goal of this project is to reduce the risk of damages from coastal flooding and flood damage from rainfall, as well as managing risk to local residents' life and safety. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) is the Federal sponsor for the project, with DEC as the Corps' Non-federal Sponsor, and City of New York as the Local Sponsor.
The current estimate for the project cost is $615,000,000. The source of funding for this project is 65% Federal, 24.5% State, and 10.5% City. All three government entities have their portion of funding available to move forward with construction.
Fire Island to Montauk Point ("FIMP")
Extensive project of 83 miles of coast addresses coastal erosion issues from Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point (leaves DEC website) along the south shore of Long Island. This project includes projects previously known as Westhampton Interim, Fire Island Inlet to Moriches Inlet (FIMI), Fire Island Inlet, Moriches Inlet, Shinnecock Inlet, and Downtown Montauk.
Operation and Maintenance cost 100% DEC's six local partners which includes beach and dune re-nourishment, breach closure planning, elevation of homes on mainland Long Island, restoration of natural areas and coastal process features. Initial construction estimate is $1.7 billion and 100% federal. Re-nourishment cost shared by the USACE, NYSDEC and the 6 local sponsors: Suffolk County and the Towns of Islip; Babylon; Brookhaven; Southampton; and East Hampton.
New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Managment Feasibility Study (HATS)
Feasibility study of over 2,150 square miles in 25 counties in New Jersey and New York of tidally affected waters. To learn more about the project (leaves DEC website), visit the US Army Corps of Engineer website or their storyboard. This project is investigating measures to manage future flood risks, addressing sustainability of the coastal ecosystem and surrounding communities, while reducing the economic costs and risks associated with flood and storm events.
Montauk Point Lighthouse Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
The Montauk Point Lighthouse (leaves DEC website), the first lighthouse built in New York State, is a National Historic Landmark on the Federal and State's Register of Historic Places. The Montauk Point Lighthouse, and associated dwelling, was commissioned in 1792 by George Washington and constructed in 1796 approximately 300 feet from edge of the bluff. The Landmark Lighthouse has become increasingly less stable over the years with the lighthouse now sitting less than 100 feet from the edge of the bluff, leaving it extremely vulnerable to coastal storm erosion and significant damage. The new project reconstructs the approximate 840 linear foot long stone revetment surrounding the bluff area and includes the removal and reuse of existing 5- and 10-ton armor stones, the placement of new 10-15 ton armor stones, and slope stabilization with terracing and vegetation above the upper crest of the new stone revetment.
Rockaway Beach, Queens, NY Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
Located on the south shore of Long Island between Far Rockaway, Queens and Atlantic Beach, Nassau county is a 12 feet deep , 250 feet wide inlet protected by a 4,250 feet jetty on the east side of the channel. The project includes the repair and reconstruction of 19 stone groins between Beach 9th St. and Beach 149th St. to reduce renourishmet requriements and to enhance the rsiliency on the Atlantic Shoreline. To reinforce dune structure with a total dune height of +18 feet NAVD88 from Beach 9th St. to Beach 14 St., with dune crossing features and to provide High Frequency Flooding Risk Reduction Measures (HFFRRMs) for the Baysid eof Hammels, Arverne, and Edgemere. This 100% Federally funded Army Corps Project at estimated cost of $627 million.
The Corps maintains a webpage that contains significant information, along with numerous project documents (leaves DEC website).