Rep. Zeldin, Supervisor Romaine and Councilman Panico Announce Completion of LI Intracoastal Waterway Dredge
Center Moriches, NY - February 5, 2019 - Today, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) was joined by Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine, Brookhaven Deputy Town Supervisor and Councilman Dan Panico, stakeholders and local residents at Webby Beach in Center Moriches to announce the completion of the dredge of the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway. Sand from the dredge was placed at Webby Beach to extend the length of the beach and combat erosion, as well as at Smith Point County Park and Great Gun Beach. A map of both the Moriches Inlet emergency dredge and the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway dredge and their respective sand placements is available here.
Congressman Lee Zeldin said, “Coming on the heels of the completion of the Moriches Inlet emergency dredge, the conclusion of the dredge of the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway is continued good news for our local tourism and maritime industries, environment, public safety and way of life. It’s thanks to the hard work of the Army Corps of Engineers, local elected officials, fishermen, boaters and residents that we’re revitalizing and restoring our local waterways, but our work isn’t done yet. There’s so much more we can and will continue to do to improve our local beaches and waterways and ensure our area is a vibrant tourism and maritime business hub and great place to live.”
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine said, “I want to thank Congressman Zeldin for his efforts to secure the funding and bring in the Army Corps of Engineers to complete this absolutely critical project. By restoring this beach, homeowners in neighborhood can now be more confident that the flooding they have been experiencing will not be an issue for a long time to come.”
Brookhaven Councilman Dan Panico said, “Long Island’s economy is tied to our environment. Thank you to Congressman Zeldin and everyone who helped get this done.”
Captain Joe Tangel, Owner of KING COD Fishing in Center Moriches said, “I just want to thank Congressman Zeldin for his efforts in coordinating the emergency dredging project in Moriches Inlet, and Bay. It is a great relief for boaters and fishermen in the area to know that something will finally be done to ensure our safety and economic viability.”
Last year, Congressman Zeldin called for the dredging of Moriches Inlet and the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway after a series of winter storms.
In April 2018, Rep. Zeldin worked with Colonel Thomas Asbery of the Army Corps to receive the needed Emergency Declaration from the Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division Brigadier General William Graham, granting Rep. Zeldin’s request to perform emergency dredging of the Moriches Inlet. This emergency declaration began the process of coordinating funding and permits so dredging vessels could begin work, which also included placement of the sand at Smith Point County Park at Rep. Zeldin’s request.
In June 2018, Rep. Zeldin secured $12.25 million in federal funding to complete the emergency dredge of Moriches Inlet. In July, the contract was awarded by the Army Corps of Engineers to Weeks Marine to complete the emergency dredge.
In August 2018, Congressman Zeldin secured $3 million to dredge 2.7 miles of the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway.
In August 2018, Congressman Zeldin joined Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilman Dan Panico to visit possible sand deposits for the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway dredge.
In November 2018, Congressman Zeldin announced the contract to dredge the Long Island Intracoastal Waterway was awarded to H&L Contracting of Bay Shore, New York.