STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sen. Charles Schumer (D-New York) announced Sunday that construction of the East Shore seawall will move forward, pending a vote on a bill.

“The seawall is going to get built and we’re going to be a lot safer God forbid another storm like [Hurricane] Sandy occurs,” Schumer said.

Schumer made the announcement on the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk in South Beach, joined by Borough President James Oddo, Rep. Max Rose (D-Staten Island) and Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island).

The plan calls for the seawall -- which was first proposed in 2015 -- to be built from Fort Wadsworth to Oakwood Beach on the East Shore. The seawall project would provide protection for Staten Island homeowners from disastrous storm surges and rising tides, similar to storms like Hurricane Sandy.

The bill will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the city to gain access to Gateway National Park to allow future operation and maintenance of the seawall. Without access, also known as an easement, construction would be delayed indefinitely. Schumer inserted the bill into a federal lands package to prevent delays and ensure construction.

“This legislative fix will force the National Park Service to grant the Army Corps and New York City the site access needed to officially construct and maintain the seawall, but we’ve got to bring it to a vote so that can all happen, and happen fast,” Schumer said.

If the bill is passed by the Senate, it will then go to the House, which Schumer said is certain to pass.

“This is the last step,” Schumer said. “Within a few weeks after this legislation passes, the Army Corps will be starting to survey and build. The plans are all done. ... Flood insurance will go down, property values will increase, but most of all, people will be a lot safer.”

Once the Army Corps begins construction, it will take two to three years for the seawall to be completed, Schumer said.

Rep. Max Rose reintroduced legislation -- originally crafted by Schumer and former Congressman Dan Donovan -- to enhance the authority of the Interior Secretary within the Gateway National Recreation Area to grant easements and rights-of-way for projects like the seawall that prevent flooding and shoreline erosion.

“It’s not just about building this seawall, it’s about eliminating stress for people and it’s certainly about making people’s flood insurance go down,” said Rose.

FUNDING SECURED LAST YEAR

Schumer secured $730 million in funding last year for the Army Corps. It was transferred into the then-recently passed federal budget deal for storm mitigation projects.

The transfer of federal funding better positioned the Army Corps to fulfill its mandated 65 percent of construction for storm mitigation projects.

Along with the seawall, the Army Corps also plans to build a flood wall and levee, replacing one that was built in 2000 in Oakwood Beach.

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