Empire State Today

Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand have announced the approval of federal funds by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for emergency repairs on Fire Island in Suffolk County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has disbursed $3.5 million to its New York District Office to expedite project engineering and design.

Governor Hochul expressed her commitment to keeping New Yorkers safe, stating, "I will do everything I can to keep New Yorkers safe, especially the communities most vulnerable to extreme weather." She also expressed gratitude to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their quick response to the request for emergency repairs.

Colonel Alex Young, the USACE New York District Commander, thanked Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, Governor Hochul, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for their support in advancing the repairs on Fire Island.

Senator Schumer emphasized the importance of restoring the dune on Fire Island to protect its communities and ensure the integrity of the island. He acknowledged the efforts made to secure critical emergency repairs on Fire Island and thanked the Army Corps of Engineers for their swift response.

Senator Gillibrand expressed her excitement over the approval of federal funds to address the damages on eastern Fire Island and reiterated her commitment to restoring the South Shore of Long Island.

The approval of funding by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will enable the implementation of resilience and repair measures in eastern Fire Island communities. Governor Hochul's leadership in working with local, state, and federal partners to protect communities against climate change-induced extreme weather events was also highlighted.

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine emphasized the importance of partnership between all levels of government in addressing critical issues like safeguarding shorelines.

Overall, the collaboration between federal, state, and local authorities, as well as the commitment of Governor Hochul, Senator Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand, has led to the allocation of funds for emergency repairs on Fire Island, ensuring the protection and resilience of the affected communities.