Sen. Schumer calls for funding of breakwaters off Staten Island

By Jillian Jorgensen/Staten Island Advance
February 19, 2014

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - Joined by local elected officials, Sen. Charles Schumer pushed for the approval of federal FEMA funds to install a series of off-shore breakwaters to protect the borough's South Shore from future storms like Hurricane Sandy.

The $36 million in federal funding would come through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program - part of the more than $60 billion in Hurricane Sandy aid passed by Congress, but separate from funding devoted to repairing homes.

"We can rebuild just what we lost, or we can rebuild stronger so it never happens again," Schumer said at Conference House Park Wednesday afternoon.

The breakwaters are stone walls to be built underwater off shore around Tottenville's coastline, which act as a natural barrier against waves and flooding. The waves hit the walls and lose much of their energy before they hit the shore, reducing their height by up to four feet, Schumer said.

The project is outlined in former mayor Michael Bloomberg's report on resiliency measures - something Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he supports.

The money is there, Schumer said, but the project has to be approved and granted permits by various agencies.

Joining Schumer were Borough President James Oddo, City Councilman Vincent Ignizio, state Sen. Andrew Lanza, and Assemblyman Joe Borelli - all Republicans - who are in support of the project.