Coram, NY - The Brookhaven Town Highway was recently awarded a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Climate Smart Community grant in the amount of $87,500 to advance the Town’s Climate Smart South Shore Communities project that will assess and plan for resilient coastal community road ends.
“Many south shore communities were devastated following Super Storm Sandy and Hurricane Irene,” stated Highway Superintendent Daniel P. Losquadro. “Specifically, public road ends were damaged, assets were destroyed and access to waterways was cut off. These roadways offer opportunities for the public to enjoy and appreciate the Town’s natural assets, providing concentrated points of access for recreation and scenic enjoyment.” The Strategy for Climate Smart South Shore Communities project will prioritize improvements that address public access, protection of infrastructure and the creation of resilient communities.
“This is a vitally important climate action project,” Losquadro said. “Many of our most vulnerable, south shore community road ends have been severely damaged or compromised during recent high intensity storms. This funding will enable us to assess and create more resilient infrastructure that can accommodate changing climate conditions and rising sea levels.”
To be sure, the project will focus on the most vulnerable road ends in the hamlets of Bellport, Blue Point, Center Moriches, East Moriches and East Patchogue; other areas may be added as identified through the assessment process. The Climate Smart Communities Program is a funding opportunity that falls under the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). The CFA provides resources for projects promoting community development and job creation, tourism, waterfront revitalization, energy and environmental improvements, sustainability and low-cost financing.
