Posted on November 1, 2018
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has told GreaterBabylon it has secured $26,222,000 for a restoration project that will add approximately 1.8 million cubic yards of sand from the Fire Island Inlet to Gilgo Beach.
The additional sand will serve as coastal protection from storms.
“The project will also benefit navigation within the Fire Island Inlet, for its boater community,” said Hector Mosley of the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Gilgo Beach Restoration Project will begin sometime in late November or early December with an expected finishing date in late March, says Mosley.
The Town of Babylon sought this project after Gilgo Beach’s shore rapidly eroded over the years. The last maintenance of the beach was back in 2013-14 when 2.3 million cubic yards of sand was added after Hurricane Sandy hit Long Island.
According to town officials, the beach’s condition was so bad, impending storms could impact the nearby roads.
“Gilgo Beach restoration is extremely important for not only our summer recreation activities including our world-class surfing, but also for the protection of the Ocean Parkway which serves as a major east-west route for commuters,” said Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer.
“The Town Board and I thank Senators Schumer and Gillibrand as well as Congressman King for their leadership in securing the commitment of the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the Fire Island Inlet dredging and sand replenishment at Gilgo Beach.”
Source: Babylon
