The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has announced the availability of the Draft General Re-evaluation Report/Environmental Impact Statement (Draft GRR/EIS) for the proposed Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, New York (FIMP) Coastal Storm Risk Management Project.
The release of the draft feasibility study opens a 60-day review period for the public to submit written comments until September 30, 2016.
The Corps has evaluated and prepared the Draft GRR/EIS for the currently authorized, but unconstructed coastal storm risk management project that was originally designed to provide for beach erosion control and hurricane protection along five reaches of the Atlantic Coast of New York from Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point, and south shore communities within Suffolk County, NY.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “ The release of this Draft General Re-evaluation Report/Environmental Impact Statement is an important milestone, decades in the making, which moves New York State and the Army Corps of Engineers one step closer to the construction of the project. ”
Prior to Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the Corps was conducting a reformulation study of the existing project that was congressionally authorized in 1960 to document changes in existing conditions and improvements in science and engineering during that time period as well as those following Hurricane Sandy.
It was determined that conditions have changed significantly, and changes were made in the Draft General Re-evaluation Report/Environmental Impact Statement reflect this. Impacts from Hurricane Sandy within the FIMP study area were severe and substantial: three breaches of the barrier islands, multiple over-washes, shorefront damages, and extensive back-bay flooding.
According to Col. David Caldwell, New York District commander, detailed designs won’t be completed until after the comments are incorporated through the public and agency review process and approval.
The report and its associated documents are available on New York District’s website .