Garbarino Delivers For Long Island With Local Priorities Included in Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02) today celebrated the House’s passage of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which includes critical provisions for Long Island's South Shore. These inclusions, secured by Rep. Garbarino, would bolster flood risk management, storm damage prevention, and coastal restoration in towns across New York’s 2nd Congressional District, including Oyster Bay, Babylon, Islip, and Brookhaven.

WRDA also incorporates a pivotal change for the Fire Island National Seashore and waterfront hamlets, reducing the threshold for emergency shore restoration. This adjustment ensures that after damaging Nor’easters or similar coastal storms, federally authorized repair or restoration projects can proceed with 80-100% federal funding. This critical provision will help restore public beaches and storm damage reduction structures vital for protecting Long Island's coastal communities.

“This is a big win for Long Island,” Rep. Garbarino said. “Our coastal communities have long been vulnerable to the increasing frequency and severity of storms, and this legislation delivers on my promise to secure meaningful solutions for my district. From addressing flood risks to streamlining emergency response funding, these measures will safeguard our homes, infrastructure, and natural resources for years to come.”

Highlights of WRDA 2024 Inclusions for NY-02:

• Fire Island Emergency Restoration: Reduces the emergency threshold for restoring hurricane and storm damage reduction structures or public beaches, permitting damages resulting from Nor’easters to satisfy the requirements for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers emergency assistance. 
  • Included areas: The Fire Island National Seashore and the hamlets of Massapequa Park, Massapequa, Amityville, Copiague, Lindenhurst, West Babylon, Babylon, West Islip, West Bay Shore, Brightwaters, Bay Shore, Islip, East Islip, Great River, Oakdale, West Sayville, Sayville, Bayport, Blue Point, Patchogue, East Patchogue, Bellport, Brookhaven, Shirley, Mastic Beach, Mastic, Moriches, Center Moriches, East Moriches, and Eastport
• Flood Risk and Ecosystem Projects: Feasibility studies authorized for flood risk management, storm damage reduction, and ecosystem restoration in:
  • Babylon: Flood risk management, hurricane, and storm damage risk reduction, navigation, and ecosystem restoration in the Town of Babylon
  • Brookhaven: Flood risk management, hurricane, and storm damage risk reduction, navigation, and ecosystem restoration in the Town of Brookhaven
  • Islip: Flood risk management in the Town of Islip
  • Oyster Bay: Coastal storm risk and flood management near Tobay Beach

In January, Rep. Garbarino testified before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to urge the inclusion of his proposal to protect Long Island's shoreline from erosion due to storm damage in WRDA. All of his proposed provisions were included in the final package, which passed the House of Representatives on December 10, 2024. Watch his full testimony here.

What’s Next:

Once WRDA is enacted, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will undertake feasibility studies in Oyster Bay, Babylon, Islip, and Brookhaven, paving the way for long-term, sustainable solutions for Long Island’s coastal challenges.

Rep. Garbarino’s leadership and advocacy in securing these provisions underscore his commitment to delivering real results for his district and ensuring Long Island's coastal resilience.

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