The long-awaited Fire Island to Montauk Project (FIMP) finally broke ground last week after over 60 years of advocation and speculation by local officials and community groups. The 1.7-billion-dollar project is entirely funded by the federal government through emergency aid passed after Super Storm Sandy.
The project is being constructed by the Army Corp of Engineering with the Department of Environmental Conservation coordinating all state and local efforts related to the project.
FIMP, which stretches from the Fire Island Inlet to Montauk, will span 83 miles of coastline and fund 4,400 structure renovations in addition to miles of dune replenishment for 30 years. The 1.7-billion-dollar project also funds extensive habitat and beach construction, both of which will help prevent future flood damage.
“Today is a great day for Long Islanders who have been waiting many years for a project of this magnitude to reduce flood risk to their property and communities,” said New York District Commander Colonel Matthew Luzzatto.
“This project represents another step in the process of increasing coastal resiliency throughout our Area of Responsibility as we’ve done in multiple communities such as Coney Island, Long Beach, Fire Island to Montauk Inlet, and East Rockaway, where work is currently ongoing.”
Luzzatto went on to thank the local partners whose cooperation made this project possible. “This project will safeguard Suffolk County communities from severe storms and sea-level rise, essential for preserving Long Island’s treasured natural resources for future generations,” Governor Hochul said. “I applaud the sustained, collaborative work of State, Federal, and local partners in achieving this significant milestone, and I look forward to continue working together to protect Long Island’s coastline from the effects of extreme weather brought on by climate change.”
Specifically, projects will take place in the townships of East Hampton, Southampton, Brookhaven, Islip, and Babylon. All of Suffolk County stands to benefit from the projects through the mitigation of storm surges and the preservation of beaches enjoyed by people from throughout the state.
“This long-awaited civil works project will reduce flood risk and protect our south shore coastline from storms,” said Congressman Andrew Garbarino.
During the peak of Super Storm Sandy, the storm surge was reportedly 17.48 feet at Long Beach. The destruction in terms of both human life and property damage was tremendous. 13 people were killed through the ordeal, with many more injured.
1.1 million customers were without power on the island after Sandy. The resulting confusion and delay in the restoration of power prompted then[1]Governor Cuomo to bring in a private utility company PSEG to replace LIPA.
Cuomo was reported at the time as saying, “LIPA is broken and LIPA has to go away.”
Despite changes in operations, Long Islanders have still faced difficulties during tropical storms and hurricanes. In the 8 tropical storms and hurricanes that have happened since Sandy, the South Shore has experienced intense flooding caused by storm surges and billions in damages.
Given the longevity and severity of the problem, the words uttered by Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone rang much louder. “I am thrilled to be attending today’s groundbreaking of a project initiated before I was born.”
The design phase for the project started in February 2021. Bidding on the materials and equipment to be used in the project began August 1, 2021.
