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FACT SHEET - Atlantic Coast of New York City, East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet (Rockaway Beach) and Jamaica Bay, NY

Coastal Storm Risk Management

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Published Nov. 16, 2023

DESCRIPTION: The project area consists of the Atlantic Coast of NYC between East Rockaway Inlet and Rockaway Inlet, and the water and lands within and surrounding Jamaica Bay, New York. More than 850,000 residents, 48,000 residential and commercial structures, and scores of critical infrastructure features such as hospitals, nursing homes, wastewater treatment facilities, subway, railroad, and schools are within the study area.

For the shorefront portion, analyses conducted supported the need of construction for a composite seawall in combination with groin features and associated beach restoration/ beachfill with increased renourishment at the Atlantic Ocean shorefront along the Rockaway peninsula. The structure crest elevation is +17 feet (NAVD88), the dune elevation is +18 feet (NAVD88), and the design berm width is minimum 60 feet. Construction of stone groins began in Spring of 2020 and the reinforced dune began in the summer of 2022.

Low lying coastal neighborhood areas within Jamaica Bay were identified as areas where High Frequency Flooding Risk Reduction Features (HFFRRFs) could be implemented. The preliminary screening and subsequent feasibility design and analysis was performed only on the areas identified as potentially having large concentrations of vulnerable homes where stand-alone projects which tie into adjacent high ground could be built (which includes the Hammels, Arverne, and Edgemere Neighborhoods). These identified HFFRRFs includes Natural and Nature Based Features (NNBFs), floodwalls, bulkheads, stormwater drainage pump stations, and added or extended stormwater outfalls. The part of the project is currently in the 30% design phase.

 AUTHORIZATION: There is a long history of sediment placement in the study area

After initial construction in 1977 and subsequent beach fill placement along the Rockaway peninsula. Renourishment activities in the project area occurred in 1975, 1976, 1977,1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2013, and 2014.  A Reformulation was authorized by Congress in 1997 to ensure that the appropriate long-term solution was recommended. The Reformulation Effort for East Rockaway Inlet to Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay was authorized by the House of Representatives, dated 27 September 1997, In partial fulfillment of the requirements detailed Public Law 113-2 (29 Jan 13), The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, USACE produced a report assessing “authorized Corps projects for reducing flooding and storm risks in the affected area that have been constructed or are under construction”.

CURRENT STATUS: Construction of the 19 groins are ongoing with expected completion in summer of 2024. Construction of the reinforced dune system commenced on in the summer of 2022 with expected completion in summer 2026. The 10% design draft of the HFFRRs for Jamaica Bay is completed. Initial subgrade investigations needed for the 30% design effort are ongoing with expected finish early 2024. The 30% design effort is ongoing with expected completion in the fall of 2024. Design effort is coordinated with project sponsors (NYSDEC and various NYC Agencies). All comments will be reviewed, and further consultation/analysis may be required.  

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: NY-05, NY-08, NY-09

 

CONTACT:

Mr. Ahmed Radwan

Project Manager 

P: 917-790-6155

Email:  Ahmed.M.Radwan@usace.army.mil

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – NY District

Programs and Project Management Division