Posted on August 7, 2024
FIRE ISLAND, NY– The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New York District, has awarded a $52 million construction contract for emergency repairs to a damaged federal coastal storm risk management project on Fire Island in Suffolk County. The contract was awarded to the Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company of Houston, Texas. The work involves offshore dredging within an established sand borrow area, with up to 2 million cubic yards of sand to be pumped onshore to restore the Fire Island to Moriches Inlet project.
Extreme weather events, including Hurricane Lee and Tropical Storm Ophelia in September 2023, followed by significant coastal storms in November and December 2023, and January 2024, eroded large sections of beach berm and dunes that are part of the Fire Island to Moriches Inlet project. This erosion caused damage to infrastructure and properties on Fire Island, from the Ocean Park community east to Davis Park.
In response, the State of New York, through the Department of Environmental Conservation, requested that USACE seek authority under Public Law 84-99 to secure full federal funding for the repairs. Following a comprehensive assessment by USACE, which included the impacts of a major storm on January 9, 2024, it was determined that the combination of impacts from the storms met the “extraordinary” event threshold. Consequently, PL 84-99 funds were considered for the repair work.
Less than 30 days after submitting detailed information, including shoreline and offshore surveys, environmental documentation, and non-federal sponsor support for permitting, the request for use of PL 84-99 authority was approved, along with the required funding to perform the repair activities.
Public Law 84-99, Emergency Response to Natural Disasters, grants the Corps of Engineers authority to provide emergency activities in support of state and local governments before, during, and after a flood event. The Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) appropriation funds PL 84-99 authorized activities. Under PL 84-99, the Corps can provide technical and direct assistance in response to flood and coastal storms, such as hurricanes and nor’easters. The assistance must be requested by the state and be supplemental to state and local actions, including resources and capabilities, as well as National Guard assets.
Under PL 84-99, USACE may undertake the following:
• Technical assistance and advice to state and local governments during a flood emergency
• Direct assistance to prevent or reduce damage from floodwaters
• Rehabilitation of flood risk management projects damaged or destroyed by floods
The Corps approved this project for PL 84-99 funds. The Corps expedited physical inspections, completed surveys, performed engineering and design work, created an agency collaboration workgroup to advance cooperation on regulatory permitting and enhance communications, and met on numerous occasions with local stakeholders. Corps leadership traveled to Fire Island communities multiple times to engage with residents and address concerns.
These efforts helped secure local support and allowed the project to move forward. This project marks the first time the New York District of the Army Corps has implemented a project labor agreement (PLA) for the dredging and sand placement activities. The PLA ensures that the project will be completed efficiently, with a skilled workforce and in compliance with fair labor practices.
USACE New York District Commander Colonel Alex Young said, “USACE is excited to announce this contract award. This puts us on track to begin the construction phase of the emergency coastal repairs on Fire Island this year. I would like to thank the many federal, state, and local elected officials for their incredible support as we’ve moved quickly to bring this project into construction. I also want to thank all our partners from the Department of Interior, the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Department of State, Suffolk County, and the Town of Brookhaven, who came together to form the Multi-Agency Collaboration Team that was instrumental in working through many challenges that helped us achieve this expedited contract award.”
“Today’s $52 million contract award brings us another step closer to restoring the dunes on Fire Island to protect its communities and ensure the integrity of the island, a barrier that protects Long Island’s densely populated South Shore. After the storms, I worked my flip phone to secure these critical emergency repairs on Fire Island, and I applaud the Corps for working with me to get this done,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “I thank Brigadier General Lloyd, Colonel Young and his team at the Corps for their work with us and the state, and will continue to advocate for continued help across Suffolk as it relates to this storm damage.”
“I am thrilled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded this contract to address the extensive damages that eastern Fire Island communities have experienced over the past year,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This is a momentous step toward delivering critical repairs to the Fire Island community and coastline and I am proud to have worked alongside Governor Hochul and Senator Schumer to secure these emergency repairs. Restoring the South Shore of Long Island remains one of my top priorities, and I will keep fighting to help secure the federal assistance communities need.”
“I am pleased that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded this contract for emergency storm damage repairs on Fire Island. With every passing storm our shoreline sustains an increasing amount of damage, making risk management measures essential. This project will enable us to protect the Fire Island community and reduce future damage,” said Congressman Garbarino. “ Safeguarding our shoreline and coastal communities is one of my top priorities and I look forward to continuing to work with the Army Corps on critical projects like this one to preserve the South Shore.”
“Weather events have changed in recent history becoming stronger, affecting our shorelines, threatening property, and the barrier island. We collectively changed our approach to collaborate with full transparency to align project timelines and expectations to mitigate coastal erosion and future threats. This was truly an example of a collaborative partnership across multiple government agencies, and I want to thank everyone for working together.” stated Alexcy Romero, Superintendent of the Fire Island National Seashore.
“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appreciates the focused and cooperative effort of federal, state, and local agencies, along with the Fire Island communities, to work towards the common goal of restoring Fire Island beaches affected by this year’s coastal storms,” said Ian Drew, Field Supervisor at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s New York Ecological Services Field Office. “It has been an excellent collaborative effort, leveraging agency and local expertise to help protect the coastal community while conserving threatened species including piping plover.”
“The safety of New Yorkers is one of my top priorities, especially communities vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather driven by climate change,” Governor Hochul said. “With increasingly frequent and extreme storms, New York is meeting the challenge head on to protect homes and infrastructure. I applaud the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its expedited response to funding these emergency repairs and for ensuring construction will be led by a skilled workforce working under fair labor practices.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Under the leadership of Governor Hochul, New York State is working with our local, state, and federal partners, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New York’s Congressional delegation, to advance post-storm recovery and prepare for future climate-driven extreme weather and flooding. The emergency repair contract award announced today advances expedited construction to protect Fire Island communities, and DEC is thankful to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for coordinating this multi-agency collaborative effort.”
“The residents and businesses on Fire Island are extremely grateful for this long awaited work by the Army Corps. Every hurricane season has been fraught with increased danger due to the lack of any substantial dune system. I thank all those who are making this work possible on behalf of the communities and residents in Brookhaven Town.” Said Supervisor Daniel J. Panico, Town of Brookhaven.
