Hurricane Sandy News

BOEM-funded Hurricane Sandy initiative creates a new inventory of potential offshore sediment resources in Federal waters in the Atlantic.

The National Park Service (NPS) has invested more than $57 million in federal funding for Hurricane Sandy recovery to restore and enhance the resiliency of coastal parks and monuments in areas where Sandy significantly affected resources, specifically New York and New Jersey. Projects include rehabilitation of boardwalks, electrical systems, visitor services, future management planning, and more.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is investing $45 million in 28 science and research projects that advance scientific capabilities to improve our Nation’s resilience to coastal change impacts related to storms, climate change and sea-level rise. As outlined in the USGS Hurricane Sandy Science Plan, a comprehensive approach to research on the impacted areas, USGS is improving forecasts and understanding of storm impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems, and designing tools to assist future management and enhance natural resource health.

USGS Highlighted Projects of 2016

NPS Highlighted Projects of 2016

The storm surge and high waves that occurred during Hurricane Sandy caused barrier island breaches across eastern Fire Island, Long Island and one on the Westhampton barrier beach just east of Moriches Inlet. Two of the breaches were immediately closed by USACE, but the Wilderness breach on Fire Island National Seashore, one having the greatest impact on the back-bay areas of Great South Bay, was left untouched and open to the ocean by the National Park Service. 

In the wake of Sandy’s destruction, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received $167 million in federal funding to strengthen natural defenses and protect communities and wildlife along the Atlantic Coast from future storms.

USFWS Highlighted Projects of 2016

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is investing $102.7 million in federal and partner funding for the Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program to incorporate innovative methods into 54 projects’ plans, designs, and/or restoration work that will strengthen coastal and inland areas in 12 states. The majority of NFWF projects continue to be early in the restoration process.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) invested $13.6 million in federal funding for Hurricane Sandy recovery to address critical needs for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sand throughout areas undergoing recovery, rebuilding and resiliency planning.