The Honorable Michael L. Connor, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), visited the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New York District, Feb. 13-14.
Connor serves as the principal advisor to the Secretary of the Army on all matters related to the Army’s Civil Works Program. During the visit the Connor was able to meet with district leadership, project managers and tour several ongoing projects that New York District oversees.
Col. Matthew W. Luzzatto, Commander of the New York District, provided an overview of the District to Connor.
“The team here at New York District and I are glad that Mr. Connor is able to come out and see the work that we’ve been doing in the region,” said Luzzatto.
Luzzatto provided an overview of the New York District to Connor, explaining the region they oversee and the types of projects the district handles.
Following the District overview, Luzzatto, Connor, district leadership and Col. John P. Lloyd, commander and division engineer of the USACE North Atlantic Division, took a helicopter tour to get an aerial view of the New York Harbor, Kill Van Kull, Arthur Kill, South Shore Staten Island, Coney Island, Long Beach and Smith Point.
In addition, Connor was able to see multiple sections of the Rockaways and hear about the impact the project will have on the community.
“Anytime we can get people to see the work being done in our region and the impact it has is always great,” said Lloyd.
On day two the caravan of leadership embarked on a trip to visit Green Brook Sub Basin, NJ, a site subject to severe flooding. Following a brief presentation, the team learned of a massive flood reduction measure that took place in 2021. The Green Brook Culvert was built on site over several months’ time, to function primarily as hydraulic conduit, conveying water from one side of a roadway/underpass to another.
The team then made its way to Caven Point Marine Terminal to hear from those who play a crucial role in New York District’s harbor deepening, dredging, and drift collection mission. After meeting the team, ASA Connor and company boarded the Drift Collection Vessel (DCV) Hayward. DCV Hayward's mission is to remove floating debris and obstructions from high use shipping channels and provide clear and safe navigation and ensure products arrive to the container terminals in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The team completed a harbor inspection in the Upper and Newark Bays was conducted to show Connor the locations of dredging and New York District sites.
“It’s amazing what the New York District is accomplishing,” Connor said. “It definitely makes an impact on the communities and environment here in the region.”