Schumer, Goldfeder: Plans to Rebuild Rockaway Boardwalk After Superstorm Sandy Currently Underway and Construction Starting as Early as January

September 30, 2013

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder today called on the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the completion of their Rockaway Beach study. Last week, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation unveiled their plans to rebuild the Rockaway boardwalk post-Superstorm Sandy. At the meeting, residents were told that New York City’s plans to rebuild the boardwalk do not include a sea wall; adding protections like a sea wall to the City’s boardwalk could mean that the Army Corps will not provide jetties and dunes as a result of a cost/benefit analysis. Schumer and Goldfeder have long advocated for mitigation measures along Rockaway Beach and today urged the Army Corps to finish their protection study quickly so that the plans for the boardwalk can be incorporated into the feds’ long-term protection measures along the beach, such as a seawall.

"The first priority must be the safety and security of our families and homes. Our community has been demanding protective ocean barriers including, dunes and rock jetty's for too long," said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway). "Every agency involved in Sandy recovery must coordinate their efforts and work together to provide the best options for communities still picking up the pieces. I commend Senator Schumer for his continued advocacy and for working to provide our families with the peace of mind we deserve. We need to make sure our voices are heard and the community is included in the decision process to ensure the proper protection is provided for Rockaway families immediately."

“Rockaway and its residents must not be left vulnerable in the event of a future storm and that’s why I’ve pushed so hard for the Army Corps to study mitigation measures needed along our coastline,” said Schumer. “Now that New York City’s plans for the Rockaway boardwalk are underway, the Army Corps should fast-track their study so that New York City is aware of what protections will be put in place. We need a sea wall, jetties and dunes so that Rockaway is protected from future destruction and I pledge to work alongside Assemblyman Goldfeder and fight for these much-needed protection measures.”

The Army Corps Rockaway Beach study is taking place along the shoreline on the Rockaway Peninsula, from Beach 149th Street to Beach 19th Street, which is approximately 6.2 miles. From1977 until 2004, the Corps of Engineers designed, constructed and maintained the project under two major construction projects. Because of the high costs, the Corps was directed to “reformulate” the original plan, with the objective of finding a long term, cost-effective solution (potentially including dunes, stone-groins and other protective measures) to staunch the effects of continued erosion on the Rockaway peninsula. In March, Schumer announced that, after his push, the federal Sandy relief funding would be used for the entire project and study.

Schumer and Goldfeder have long advocated for long-term protection measures along Rockaway beach. Recently, Schumer announced that over 600,000 cubic yards of sand would be added to provide flood control between Beach 89th and Beach 149th. The sand will restore the beaches to mid-1990 levels. Additionally, Schumer and Goldfeder have fought for funding to rebuild the beaches with jetties, dunes and other desperately needed protection measures.

Last week, New York City Parks announced their plans to rebuild the Rockaway boardwalk after it was damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The agency and the design team, CH2MHill have been meeting with the community to gather input about the design of the rebuilt boardwalk. If New York City Parks includes a sea wall in their proposed boardwalk, it could mean that the Army Corps’ cost/benefit analysis will conclude that Rockaway’s study will not need jetties and other important protection measures.

Schumer and Goldfeder today urged the Army Corps to expedite the completion of their Rockaway Beach study so that its recommendations can be coordinated with New York City Parks’ final plans for the new boardwalk.

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Assistant Secretary Jo-Ellen Darcy
The United States Army

Dear Assistant Secretary Darcy:

We write today regarding the Rockaway Reformulation study. As you may know, the New York City Parks Department (“NYC Parks”) is advancing a plan to rebuild the Rockaway boardwalk that was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. It is of upmost importance that storm protection measures, such as a sea wall, be integrated into this plan. We ask you to work with NYC Parks to ensure comprehensive storm protection measures can be seamlessly integrated into the design of the boardwalk. Furthermore, we urge the Corps to expedite the completion of the Rockaway Reformulation Study so long-term protection can be provided for the residents of Rockaways as soon as possible.

For years now Rockaway residents have been waiting for the completion of the Rockaway Reformulation study. As you know, we have been fighting for years to provide a sea wall, jetties, dunes, stone-groins and other protective measures to ensure our Rockaway communities receive proper storm protection. Now that NYC Parks has started the planning process to rebuild the boardwalk, there is real concern about coordinating long-term storm protection in this process. It is essential that the new boardwalk be able to accommodate and integrate effective long-term storm protection measures.

As always, time is also of the essence. With NYC Parks planning to begin boardwalk construction late 2013 or early 2014, it is of paramount importance that the Army Corps expeditiously complete the Reformation Study so that the construction of long-term protective measure can be incorporated into NYC Parks boardwalk plans.

Nearly a year after Sandy, many small businesses and homeowners are still suffering from the extensive damage caused by the storm. It is of paramount importance that we continue to assist our local families and businesses and allow our communities to fully recover and rebuild. The expedition of the Rockaway Beach study would immensely assist our communities and allow NYC Parks Department to make the best decision for protecting our families.

Thank you for your consideration.

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