March 5, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact Carol Danko
202-225-7896
Point Lookout, NY – The long-awaited Jones Inlet dredging project is finally completed – after clearing the channel for navigation and placing over 650,000 cubic yards back onto Point Lookout’s beach. This is a victory for Congressman King (R-Seaford) who fought hard to secure funding for this project, combining efforts with Senator Clinton (D-NY), State Senator Dean Skelos and State Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg. This long-overdue project was needed to clear the sand-filled channel that had become dangerous for boaters and to restore the eroded shoreline that had become vulnerable to storms.
“The conditions have been dangerous in Jones Inlet for some time, so this truly is a victory for the people of Point Lookout,” said King. “I am thrilled that my fight to complete this project has finally been won, and just in time for boating season.”
The project, which began on January 13, dredged the inlet at a depth of 14 feet, clearing an estimated 650,000 cubic yards. The sand was placed back on the beach and was used to rebuild weathered dunes and to raise and extend the shoreline by over 150 feet. While inlet dredging and maintenance is recommended every 4-5 years, Jones Inlet had not been dredged since 1995.
“The Army Corps did a fantastic job in completing this project in an effective and timely manner,” said King. “The restored inlet is much safer and the new beaches look great. I think the residents will really enjoy these improvements.”
The project was funded with the $7.6 million in state funds secured by Skelos and Weisenberg. While the use of state funds is unprecedented in federal projects, the State of New York and the Army Corps of Engineers executed a Contributed Funds Memorandum of Agreement (CFMOA), which permitted the project to proceed. King worked with both parties to encourage prompt negotiations in order to ensure that the project would be completed by the April 1, 2008 deadline. King and Clinton also secured $3.7 million for Jones Inlet in the FY2008 Omnibus Bill that was recently signed into law.
###
