Queens Lawmakers On The Move Oct. 22, 2018

Schumer, Gillibrand Push For Rockaway Reformation Project Completion

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced Friday that the recently passed America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 includes a provision that directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to quickly complete the Rockaway Reformulation Project.

This project will evaluate solutions to protect the Rockaway Peninsula from long-term erosion and evaluate coastal protection projects along the Atlantic Coast between East Rockaway Inlet and Jamaica Bay. The bill authorizes the Army Corps to proceed directly to preconstruction planning, engineering and design if the Secretary of the Army determines if the project is justified when the report is complete.

“The residents of the Rockaways and Jamaica Bay have waited far too long for the completion of this project. This provision will build on the agreement I struck with Army Corps Colonel Asbery to speed up the Rockaway Reformulation Project so this community can finally benefit from the hundreds of millions of dollars that I worked hard to secure through the Sandy Relief bill. Now, it’s time for the Army Corps to listen carefully to feedback from local residents as they work to build a truly resilient future for Rockaway and Jamaica Bay,” said Schumer.

“We are seeing stronger storms hitting our coastlines, and we need to make sure that New York communities have the infrastructure and necessary plans in place to protect their homes and businesses,” said Gillibrand, member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “With this provision, the Rockaway Peninsula will be one step closer to having a comprehensive, coordinated plan to manage future storm damage. The devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy was a wakeup call for the urgent need to protect our shorelines.”

The Rockaway Beach shoreline has experienced numerous severe hurricanes and northeasters over the last forty years, causing substantial damage to commercial and residential properties to the Rockaway Peninsula. Once complete, the Rockaway Reformulation feasibility study would help create a much-needed comprehensive plan to manage potential future storm damage and prevent loss of life in the region when the next major storm comes.

Constantinides Resolution Wants Feds To Consider Sea Rise

City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside), chair of the council’s Committee on Environmental Protection, will have his committee meet today to consider his resolution calling on the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider the proposals related to storm surges and take into consideration sea rise due to climate change.

The reconsideration comes in the form of the New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The committee will meet at 10 a.m., today, Oct. 22, at 250 Broadway, the 16th floor. The meeting is open to the public.

Katz To Speak At St. John’s, Jamaica Estates

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz will be out and about the borough tonight.

At 7 p.m., tonight, Oct, 22 she will deliver remarks and present an award at an Italian heritage event, St. John University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Marillac Hall terrace in Hillcrest.

Then at 8:15 p.m., Katz will deliver remarks and swear in officers at a meeting of the Jamaica Estates Association, St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church, 181-14 Midland Parkway in Jamaica Estates.

Richards Brings De Blasio For Arverne Town Hall

City Council Member Donovan Richards (D-Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens) will present a Town Hall with Mayor Bill de Blasio on Wednesday.

The town Hall is held in in conjunction with U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, State Sen. James Sanders and Assemblymember Michele Titus. Residents are invited to bring their concerns before the mayor and lawmakers.

The Town Hall is slated for 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24 at PS/MS 42 – Robert Vernam School, 488 Beach 66th Street in Arverne. RSVP at QueensTownHall@CityHall.nyc.gov or call 212-442-0508.