Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
“Upgrading our sewer infrastructure where feasible and continuing to diversify our drainage toolbox, most recently with plans for large green medians, will help to prevent flooding and property damage while also improving the environment,” said Howard Beach native and City DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza.
By Forum Staff
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday released the second monthly update to “The New Normal: Combating Storm-Related Extreme Weather in New York City,” a landmark report that provides New York City with a new blueprint to prepare for and respond to extreme weather.
The report details the City’s efforts to assist New Yorkers still recovering from Hurricane Ida, launch new infrastructure improvements, and protect residents in basement units.
Key progress made in November includes relief sewer installation in Queens, which adds sewer capacity to existing sewer systems. Department of Environmental Protection has also begun a project to install 1,365 linear feet of storm sewer and 1,180 linear feet of water main in Jamaica at Hendrickson Place, 166th St., and 108th Ave. This relief sewer alongside the existing under-capacity storm sewer will alleviate flooding conditions and protect New Yorkers.
The City has also continued to help New Yorkers impacted by Hurricane Ida and repair Ida-affected homes. This support includes working with each homeowner to navigate the FEMA financial assistance applications, and connecting homeowners to a dedicated list of New York City plumbers and electricians who are prioritizing Ida-affected repairs. In some cases, when FEMA financial assistance has not covered the full cost of damages, the City is working on reimbursing homeowners for necessary repairs.
Key progress in November also includes:
- $39 million of expense funding allocated as part of the November Financial plan to implement commitments in the New Normal report such as an expanded sensor network, a database of basement apartments, green infrastructure maintenance, and wetlands management staffing, which builds on $2.4 billion in funding that was included in the FY22 Capital Commitment Plan.
- 2 Community Driveways done, with 38 more planned in the next six months
- 10 new flood warning signs installed
- City agencies, led by the Department of Transportation, distributed more than 7,200 sandbags in 5 days
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also allocates unprecedented federal funding to resiliency work nationwide, and the Administration expects these funds will advance numerous local adaptation needs. While the Administration continues to determine the level of funding available to New York City, we expect this funding to be available for projects including:
- Neighborhood cloudburst projects
- Tree planting
- Coastal protection
- Wetlands acquisition and restoration
- Neighborhood planning
- Climate science
- Transportation and transit projects
- Household weatherization improvements
- Lead water distribution service line replacement
“New York City is now on the path toward a safe, sustainable, resilient future for all,” de Blasio. “We have the blueprint we need to plan for severe weather and we have the structures in place to immediately respond. We look forward to building on this progress to keep our city prepared for whatever comes next.”
NYC Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Vincent Sapienza added, “Continuing to transform the city so it can withstand extreme weather requires a sustained commitment across all levels of government and following the steps laid out in this blueprint has put us in a more resilient position. Upgrading our sewer infrastructure where feasible and continuing to diversify our drainage toolbox, most recently with plans for large green medians, will help to prevent flooding and property damage while also improving the environment.”
