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ISLIP TOWN COUNCILMAN BODKIN
THANKS ISRAEL, BISHOP
REPS. ISRAEL, BISHOP SECURE $7 MILLION TO PROTECT SOUTH
SHORE FROM FLOODING AND HURRICANES Funding Represents an
Increase of $4.5 Million from Last Year for the Fire
Island-Montauk Point Reformulation Study; Funds to be Used
for Storm Protection
Washington, DC—Today, U.S. Representatives Steve Israel and
Tim Bishop announced the House Appropriations Committee
passage of $7 million for a project that would protect the
South Shore of Long Island from coastal erosion, flooding
and hurricanes. This funding, for the Fire Island to Montauk
Point (FIMP) Reformulation Study, represents an increase of
$4.5 million from last year’s enacted funding for the
project and $2.8 million over the President’s budget
request. The funding would help bring the FIMP study closer
to completion and put additional sand on South Shore
beaches.
“It’s not a matter of if, but when, a hurricane may strike
Long Island,” said Congressman Israel, a member of the House
Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water which passed
the funding increase. “This historic increase of $7 million
will go a long way towards ensuring that our South Shore
communities are protected against flooding and storm damage
and will help complete this project which began more than 40
years ago.”
Attending a press conference
held at the Sayville Marina Park located in the Town of
Islip on the Great South Bay are (pictured from left to
right) Islip Town Councilman Christopher Bodkin, New York
State Assemblywoman Virginia Fields, Congressman Tim Bishop,
Congressman Steve Israel, Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian
Foley, and Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Program
Manager Anthony Ciorra.
“This is very good news for our communities on the South
Shore which have been waiting almost fifty years for the
FIMP study to be completed—the finish line is now within our
reach,” said Congressman Bishop. “Moreover, the significant
funding for beach renourishment to the west of Shinnecock
Inlet will bring much-needed sand, which in turn will flow
down the shoreline, providing a critical benefit to the
entire shoreline.”
“The bay behind us and the ocean beyond defines who we are
on the South Shore of Long Island,” said Islip Town
Councilman Christopher Bodkin, who participated in the
announcement held at the Sayville Marina Park. “We wage a
war almost every day against the ocean and the forces of
nature. On behalf of Supervisor Phil Nolan and the members
of the Town Council, as well as the people of the Town of
Islip, I want to thank Congressmen Israel and Bishop from
the bottom of my heart.”
Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee passed the
2008 Energy and Water Spending Bill, which included $7
million for the Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the
project. Of this, $1 million will go towards the Fire Island
to Montauk Point Reformulation Study, including the
continuation of necessary environmental studies and planning
and design efforts required for developing a comprehensive,
long-term regional strategy for the South Shore. In upcoming
weeks, the US Army Corps of Engineers, which is conducting
the study, will hold public meetings to discuss progress and
to receive input from communities. Additionally, this
funding will be used for coastal monitoring and periodic
beach renourishment.
For more information contact:
Meghan Dubyak, (Israel) (202) 225-3335
Email:
Meghan.Dubyak@mail.house.gov
William Jenkins (Bishop) (202) 225 - 3826
Email:
Will.Jenkins@mail.house.gov
Catherine Green, (Bodkin) (631) 224 - 5485
Email: c.green@townofislip-ny.gov
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