Brooklyn's Progress
August 2003

By the Office of Congressman Jerrold Nadler

Washington, DC - The House of Representatives has included $1.75 million in its Energy and Water Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2004 to protect Coney Island from beach erosion, thanks to a successful funding request by Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY).
The erosion protection project will continue to be supervised by the Army Corps of Engineers, who will use the funding to construct "T-Groins" (rock jetties) along the beaches of Sea Gate.  These T-Groins are the permanent solution recommended in an environmental assessment report recently released by the Army Corps.  The construction of the rock jetties will present a long-term solution to the erosion of ocean beaches and the build up of sand on the Gravesend Bay side.
 
"I was first introduced to the erosion problem soon after I was elected in 1992.  I was attending an orientation program for new members of Congress when I got an urgent call from a staff member who said 'Congressman, I think you better get back, your district is being washed to sea,'" said Rep. Nadler.  "Ever since I saw Sea Gate's vulnerability to storms I have been a strong advocate in ensuring that the community will always be protected."

In addition to the House funding, the Army Corps of Engineers has received $200,000 to begin an emergency project this September to remove sand from the Gravesend Bay side to the ocean.  This pre-emptive measure will help protect Coney Island beaches from possible winter storms.

In 1994 Rep. Nadler worked to bring about the sand replenishment of the beaches and the construction of the West 37th Street Groin.  In 2000, he worked out a plan with the Army Corps of Engineers to replenish sand on a short term basis and instructed them to study alternatives for a long-term solution to the erosion of sand in Sea Gate.
 
The Senate has not yet passed their version of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2004, but are expected to do so in the near future without any changes to the House's recommendation for shoreline protection funds in Brooklyn.

Rep. Nadler has served in Congress since 1992.  He represents the 8th Congressional District of New York, which includes parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.