Army Corps Heed Cymbrowitz’s Call, Extends Public Comment Period
Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz’s letter to the Army Corps of Engineers proved to be fruitful. The deadline to comment on the Army Corps storm resiliency plan for our shores has been extended to December 2, according to Cymbrowitz’s office.
The new deadline fell sort of the one Cymbrowitz originally suggested — December 31, be he is still happy with the result.
“[The new deadline would] at least give civic groups and residents more time to formulate their thoughts about a project that will permanently change our communities,” said Cymbrowitz.
Cymbrowitz and other pols penned the letter to Colonel David A. Caldwell, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ New York District Commander, stating the November 17 deadline was insufficient time for residents and civic groups to fully grasp the major project and provide insightful thoughts.
The project in question is the Jamaica Bay/Rockaway Draft Reformulation Plan, and its objective is to enhance storm resiliency efforts on the shorefront areas that were blasted by Superstorm Sandy.
“Hurricane Sandy is still a recent memory for our community and the recovery process is still ongoing,” said Cymbrowitz. “The storm mitigation and preparedness measures that the Army Corps seeks to implement will have a far-reaching impact on our shorefront and will potentially save entire communities from tragedy and devastation in the future.”Cymbrowitz wrote and sent the letter around, and it was signed by local electeds such as Assemblymembers Helene Weinstein, Pamela Harris, and Jaime Williams; City Councilmember Alan Maisel; and State Senators Diane Savino and Roxanne Persaud.The plan suggests a wide range of projects for shorefront communities in Brooklyn and Queens, including beach nourishment, barriers, sub-gates, and residual risk features such as a hurricane barrier at the mouth of Jamaica Bay, according to Cymbrowtiz’s press release.If you want to submit a comment for the plan, or if you have questions, reach out to your local community board.