Protecting Coney Island Creek

As we passed the second anniversary of Super Storm Sandy, our community looks back at some of the ways we could have been protected from the devastation. Most of the damage did not occur as a result of ocean overflow, but rather from the destructive tides stemming from the Coney Island Creek.

Last night a public meeting addressing the issue of tidal over flow was held at the Coney Island YMCA. The meeting was hosted by local City Councilman Mark Treyger as well as members of the city’s Economic Development Corporation and Environmental Protection Agency.

Project Overview

During Hurricane Sandy, Coney Island Creek was the main source of inundation for much of the Gravesend and Coney Island neighborhoods. Low edges and topography contributed to “backdoor” flooding that caused enormous damage. A key recommendation of the Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency (SIRR) report released in June 2013 was to conduct a detailed feasibly study of integrated hydrological management studies for the Creek. The upcoming feasibility study will consider technical feasibility, cost, phasing, environmental considerations, and other important  issues that will inform implementation. A feasibility study will provide information critical to advancing this concept for Coney Island Creek in the months and years to come.

Click here for more information on the project’s website.

Former Community Board 13 chairman and active community member Eddie Mark who attended last night’s meeting told us “This is one of many meetings, nothing is set in stone.”

Questions?

Contact: ConeyIslandCreek@nycedc.com

Check back to CIB periodically for updated information on future meetings.