Storm recovery projects moving forward

Agreements with three subrecipients, the municipalities that will help administer the NY Rising Community Reconstruction projects for a trio of Five Towns-related infrastructure projects, were signed on March 3, along with 23 other such projects on Long Island. There are currently a dozen subrecipients connected with all 26 Long Island projects.

State officials said this is “the first official step in bringing the proposals to fruition.” “The NY rising Community Reconstruction Program speaks to the importance of community-driven proposals, and empowers those who know their regions best,” said Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery Executive Director Jamie Rubin in a prepared release. “We are pleased to see Long Island’s first 26 projects move toward implementation, as we continue our work to make Long Island stronger and more resilient than ever before.”

Several months after Hurricane Sandy, the state established the Office of Storm Recovery and committees were created in regions of New York that were not only affected by Sandy but also Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. The committees comprised of local leaders held planning meetings in conjunction with engineers where residents provided feedback on what they wanted to see improved in their communities regarding mitigating flooding and other resiliency issues. The projects were presented last year to state officials. More than $700 million in federal money is available to financially support these projects. Subrecipients will submit invoices to the Office of Storm Recovery, which will then be reimbursed following approval.

In the Five Towns, $17,450,000 was approved for stormwater infrastructure upgrades in Hewlett, Inwood, Woodmere and the villages of Cedarhurst, Lawrence and Hewlett Neck. Nassau County is the subrecipient.