News Releases

Army Corps announces availability of Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Statement of Conformity for proposed Long Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management Project

Published Feb. 19, 2014

-- Public comment period open until March 21 --

NEW YORK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) and Draft Statement of Conformity (DSOC) for the Atlantic Coast of Long Island, Jones Inlet to East Rockaway Inlet, Long Beach Island, New York Coastal Storm Risk Management Project and the opening of the window for the public to submit written comments regarding them.

With the passage of the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, the Army Corps has been given the authority and funding to complete ongoing coastal storm damage risk management projects and studies in the Northeast, including the Long Beach project. As part of the planning and implementation process for the authorized Long Beach project, the New York District has updated prior engineering and design efforts, physical surveys, and environmental compliance in putting together the recently completed Draft Hurricane Sandy Limited Re-evaluation Report (HSLRR).

The DEA and DSOC, as well as the Draft HSLRR for the Long Beach project and associated documents, are available on New York District’s web site at: www.nan.usace.army.mil/LongBeach

Public comments on DEA and DSOC regarding this proposed work should be submitted to:

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
Planning Division-Environmental Branch (ATTN: Mr. Robert Smith)
26 Federal Plaza, New York, New York 10278-0090

Public comments can also be submitted by e-mail to robert.j.smith@usace.army.mil.

Further instructions for submitting comments can be found in the Notice of Availability of Environmental Assessment document on the District’s site. Comments received by March 21 regarding the DEA will assist in the agency’s evaluation of the project changes and will be reflected in the project record.

The Long Beach Coastal Storm Risk Management Project is a partnership between the Army Corps and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The Army Corps and the DEC are currently working with local partners to schedule a public information meeting in March.

The proposed Long Beach project calls for the rehabilitation or new construction of at least 22 groins and the placement of roughly 4.7 million yards of sand for the construction of a system of beach berm and dunes. Pending the Environmental Assessment, required reviews of the Long Beach Draft Hurricane Sandy Limited Re-evaluation Report and the signing of a Project Partnership Agreement with the DEC, the Corps expects to award a first construction contract for the Long Beach project later this year.

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Contact
Chris Gardner
917-790-8007
christopher.p.gardner@usace.army.mil

Release no. 14-001