July 30, 2013 - Long Island, NY - U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $19,795,669.05 of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance funding for the New York State Department of Transportation which will reimburse the costs of the contracted collection, hauling, segregation, final disposal, and debris monitoring necessary on Long Island after Superstorm Sandy.
“Superstorm Sandy wreaked significant damage throughout Long Island, creating a massive cleanup effort,” said Schumer. “This federal reimbursement for debris cleanup is critical in making sure that Long Islanders are not entirely on the hook for these expenses and I am pleased that this funding is being provided.”
“This federal funding will provide much needed relief for Long Island families and businesses impacted by Superstorm Sandy,” Senator Gillibrand said. “It is critical that Long Island communities have the necessary resources on the ground to recover and rebuild.”
Superstorm Sandy brought strong winds and heavy rains to the New York tri-state area, resulting in downed trees, scattered vegetative debris and other materials strewn throughout busy roadways. Debris was deposited onto public rights of ways, streets, and public access areas throughout Long Island that posed an immediate threat to public safety and therefore, needed to be removed and disposed of.
FEMA has awarded NYSDOT over $19,795,669 in funds to reimburse them for the costs of collection, removal, and disposal of debris that resulted from Superstorm Sandy. The cleanup covered a total of 839,236.95 cubic yards of vegetative debris and 3,000 cubic yards of sand debris on roads, rights of way, parks, and other public access locations in the City of Long Beach, within NYSDOT Region 10’s areas of responsibility.