News Releases

Army Corps of Engineers begins vegetation management on Staten Island N.Y. East Shore

USACE New York District
Published Dec. 10, 2019

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has begun conducting vegetation management activities in portions along the Staten Island east shore.  This is an initial action for the South Shore of Staten Island Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, which encompasses a reach of approximately 5.3 miles from Fort Wadsworth to Oakwood Beach. 

The principal neighborhoods along the project area (from east to west) are South Beach, Midland Beach, New Dorp Beach, and Oakwood Beach.

The project is currently underway in close partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and City of New York.

To prepare some of the interior areas where construction will take place, the Army Corps will begin efforts to remove the invasive phragmites that is prevalent within the project. This will get growth out of the way to prepare the area for project construction.

"We have taken a monumental step forward by initiating construction on the very first construction contract. All projects begin with a foundation and I am thrilled to announce the commencement of the phragmites removal contract,” said Col. Thomas D. Asbery, Commander of the Army Corps' New York District. "After the devastation that Superstorm Sandy caused along the shore of Staten Island this project is vitally important for protecting lives and property, and for improving flood resiliency.”      

“The Staten Island Coastal Storm Risk Management Project will install vital flood protections for families who were devastated by Hurricane Sandy,” said Jainey Bavishi, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Resiliency. “We’re excited that the Army Corps is taking these on the ground steps to ready the site for construction.”

This portion of work will include mowing of the invasive Phragmites australis (common reed) within certain sections of the project area. Project contractors will be mowing and mulching in select areas using an amphibious tracked vehicle.  

Mowing is anticipated to commence later this week, beginning in the South Beach area near the corner of Quincy Avenue and Andrews Street. Hours of operation will be from

8 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday (no weekend work or holiday work is projected).  This mowing operation is expected to be complete by late February 2020.

Construction of the coastal risk management project will begin with the first contract scheduled to be awarded in late 2020, which involves the construction of an interior drainage area in South Beach, near Father Capodanno Boulevard and Sand Lane.

“The objective is to create an open storage area for interior drainage ponding,” said Anthony Ciorra, Chief of Coastal Restoration for the Army Corps' New York District. " Once the excavated pond is complete, that area will be replanted and reseeded with native wetland vegetation."

 


Contact
Public Affairs Office
(917) 790-8007
cenan-pa@usace.army.mil

Release no. 19-016