Congressman Gregory W. Meeks 2010 Water Resources Development Act Project Requests

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Below is a list of projects and legislative proposals that I have submitted to be considered for inclusion in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2010. I am posting these items in compliance with Transportation Committee rules and in order to make the process as transparent as possible.

2010 WRDA Projects

Bulkhead project
NYC DOT will use the funds to undertake an engineering study of existing bulkheads, to identify capital needs and potential hardening opportunities. The study will leverage an existing high-level risk assessment performed by the agency and other public and private sector stakeholders through the New York Climate Change Adaptation Task Force (CCATF).
The CCATF has identified citywide bulkheads and seawalls as key infrastructure assets subject to flooding risk due to increased storm surges. The specific risks include:
• Water damage to bulkheads (localized scour around footings) accelerates deterioration
• Flooding causes local and/or global failure of upland pavements, roadway base, retaining walls, embankments, and subsurface utilities
• Floodwaters damage critical City infrastructure assets located at the waterfront, including the municipal asphalt plant at Hamilton Avenue, Brooklyn

Dunbar Street Project
The Bulkhead Rehabilitation Project on Dunbar Street, Westbourne Ave and Norton Dr in Far Rockaway fronting on the Norton Basin an inlet from Jamaica Bay, aims to rehabilitate and replace the existing bulkheads that protect the street and the adjacent properties for approximately 1320ft adjacent to the shoreline. The existing bulkheads were built as part of the original development of the Norton Basin area of Far Rockaway in the early 1900’s to accommodate the community. Since the early 1900’s the existing bulkheads have deteriorated and now need rehabilitation and replacement. During lunar high tides, water runs into the adjacent streets and causes inconvenience to the area residents. Due to the nature of the existing bulkhead, 1320ft total of bulkhead needs rehabilitation and replacement.

Ferries Project
NYC DOT will use the funds to undertake an engineering survey of all Division of Ferries floating infrastructure (barges and ferry repair craft) and ferry piers to identify specific flood-related risks and mitigation opportunities. The study will leverage an existing high-level risk assessment performed by the agency and other public and private sector stakeholders through the New York Climate Change Adaptation Task Force (CCATF).
The CCATF has identified floating infrastructure and ferry piers as infrastructure assets particularly subject to flooding risk due to increased storm surges. The specific risks include:
• Severe storms like hurricanes and nor’easters damage structural integrity of piers and floating inventory
• Storm surge causes water damage to systems and structures upland of water’s edge, compromising the operation and safety of public and private ferry operations.

Hamilton Beach Project
The Bulkhead Rehabilitation on James Ct etc. fronting Hawtree Basin in Hamilton Beach Project aims to rehabilitate/repair the existing bulkheads that protect the street and the adjacent properties from approximately 50ft north of James Court to approximately 150ft south of James Court. The existing bulkheads were built as part of the original development of the Hamilton Beach area in the early 1900’s to accommodate the fishing and summer Bungalow community. Since the early 1900’s the existing bulkheads have deteriorated and now need major rehabilitation/replacement. Portions of the vertical shoreline infrastructure have eroded. The extreme damages are caused by the reaction of the water with the existing wood bulkheads. Since the bulkheads have been breached there has been serious erosion of the shoreline. If this is not repaired this breach can potentially undermine the adjacent roadways and properties if left untreated. Due to the nature of the existing bulkhead, 200ft total of bulkhead needs rehabilitation and replacement.

Rockaway Beach Project
The Rockaway Beach Seawall Rehabilitation Project aims to rehabilitate/repair the existing seawall that protects the shoreline from B.116th –B.156th Streets. The existing seawall was rebuilt/reconstructed in the late 1970s. Since the 1970’s the existing seawall has deteriorated and the water side of the seawall needs surface rehabilitation. Portions of the vertical shoreline infrastructure have eroded. The extreme damages are caused by a breach below the waterline of the seawall. If this is not repaired this breach can potentially undermine the adjacent roadway if left untreated. This adjacent roadway as shown in is an essential means of transportation for the shore area. Due to the nature of the existing seawall the roadway infrastructure has an indented surface area of about 200ft. There is an expectation of damage around the sewer outfalls which can pose as a potential environmental threat.

Edgemere Landfill Park Improvements
Edgemere Landfill is part of Rockaway Community Park located in Edgemere, Queens. The landfill was closed in 1991 and remediation of the landfill was completed in 1997. Since 1998, the New York City Sanitation Department has performed post-closure monitoring and maintenance activities at the site. 25 acres of the 173-acre landfill site can be reprogrammed for park use. This area is currently fenced in and inaccessible to the public, save for two fishing piers located off of Somerville Basin.
The proposed project would involve shoreline cleanup, mosquito eradication measures, and ecological restoration at Edgemere Landfill. The project would also develop a trail system, kayak launch, outdoor classroom, comfort station, lighting, timber guardrail, and interpretive signage. The project would also possibly include incorporation of alternative energy technologies, such as windmills and solar panels.

Rockaway Community Park Improvements
Rockaway Community Park is a 15-acre park located on Beach 58th Street and Almeda Avenue along Sommerville Basin, a Jamaica Bay tributary. It is part of the 250-acre Edgemere Landfill and the only portion of the landfill which is developed and open to the public for recreational use. The park is located adjacent to Ocean Bay Houses, a NYCHA housing complex.
Over twenty years ago, a fire resulted in the closing of a comfort station in the park’s playground. Around this time, the park playground equipment and tennis courts were removed when a mosquito infestation rendered the park unusable during the spring and summer. Unfortunately, mosquitoes currently remain a problem within the park, discouraging people from utilizing this waterfront park.
The proposed project would include the restoration of the park comfort station and playground, shoreline cleanup, a new boat launch, improvements to existing fishing piers, conversion of a lawn to a synthetic turf field with lighting and bleachers, and mosquito eradication measures.

WRDA Language Requests

Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Spending Guarantee
To enact legislation that ties Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) annual appropriations levels to annual HMTF revenues.

Harbor Deepening Project, Environmental Restoration Initiatives, New York and New Jersey
To provide environmental restoration and mitigation within the Hudson-Raritan Estuary.
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