New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senator Charles Schumer and Congressman Max Rose have successfully brokered a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) with USACE and New York State to lock in funding for the construction of the Staten Island Levee project.
This PPA also ensures that the $400 million federal contribution to this $615 million project is unlikely to be re-allocated should the federal government declare a national emergency on the southern border.
“This is a huge win for the people of Staten Island, who will be better protected from future storms,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio . “It is critical that we invest in the resiliency of our city in the face of climate change. I want to thank the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and my colleagues in Congress, Senator Schumer and Congressman Rose, as well as Governor Cuomo, for working together to make this happen for our constituents.”
“This innovative project will protect Staten Islanders from future devastating storms, enhance access to the shore, create thriving wetlands and bring peace of mind to the diverse communities that live along the coastline,” added Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.
The Staten Island Levee project is comprised of a series of interconnected levees, berms, and seawalls stretching from Fort Wadsworth to Great Kills on Staten Island’s East Shore.
This system, which is designed to withstand a 300-year storm, will protect against the growing threats of sea-level rise and storm surge and will dramatically strengthen the resilience of the area, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
According to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) study, the Staten Island Levee project is projected to reduce damages to the area by $30 million annually over a 50 year timeline.