Sen. Charles Schumer yesterday demanded Congress pass the $50.5 billion Sandy relief bill, which would restore and protect 85 miles of coastline.
Once approved, the funds would be funneled to the Army Corps of Engineers to build seawalls, dunes and jetties, raise homes and fortify roads along the coasts.
“For years and years, critical shore-protection projects remained incomplete and unfunded, but once the Sandy aid bill passes, that will change,” Schumer said.
The top priority, Schumer said, is to build protective dunes in Long Beach and the Rockaways; dredge New York Harbor to keep the port available; raise homes on Fire Island; build jetties in the Rockaways and build longer beaches
The Senate will vote on the bill tonight. President Obama has said he would sign the bill if it came to his desk.