The US Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) New York District has received funding for planning and design for emergency sand placement on Long Island's Fire Island 50 miles (80 kilometres) east of New York City following a series of powerful winter storms that severely eroded the corps' coastal projects and protective dunes.
New York District Commander Colonel Alexander Young said all processes are being expedited to restore coastal areas as soon as possible to minimise the risk of flooding and storm damage to Fire Island's communities.
The storms that impacted Fire Island are known as nor'easters – seasonal storms traveling up the East Coast of the US, gaining moisture and wind speed.
The winds create tidal surges that erode the coastline, sometimes for several tide cycles for slow-moving systems. Some had winds in excess of 50 mph (40 knots), with gusts as high as 70 mph (60 knots).
Funding for repairs is through Public Law 84-99, legislation that governs emergency response to previously-constructed USACE projects damaged by severe storms.
The USACE said guidelines for procuring these funds are very stringent. The New York District, in collaboration with federal and state partners, worked to obtain the funds to help communities vulnerable to flooding as hurricane season begins on June 1.
USACE headquarters in Washington, DC, has approved full restoration of these projects to their original design profile. This means that, after sand placement, residents will see a wider coastline than has been seen in many years.
District engineers are completing surveys of existing topographical conditions ─ information essential to sand placement ─ with completion scheduled for June.
The emergency repairs also include restoration of damaged dunes and vehicle and pedestrian cross-overs for beach access.
The sand placement will cover approximately nine miles (14 kilometres) and includes five communities: Seaview, Ocean Bay Park, Cherry Grove, Fire Island Pines, and Davis Park.
An estimated 1.7 million cubic yards (1.3 million cubic metres) of sand will be needed to complete the project. Sand will be sourced from an approved off-shore borrow area offshore from where New York already has a dredging permit in place.