FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 29, 2004 |
Contact: Ben Allen
(202) 225-4363 |
Serrano and Crowley
Announce $900,000 in Federal Funding for
Soundview
Park
,
Orchard
Beach
and
Bronx
River Basin
Washington, DC
-Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-07) and Congressman José E. Serrano (NY-16) announced that $900,000 in federal funding had been secured for environmental projects in the
Bronx
. The funding comes from the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for FY2005.
“It was a great pleasure working with Joe Crowley to get this much-needed money for improving the environment in the
Bronx
,” said Congressman Serrano. “Through my career in public service, I've worked hard to restore our
Bronx
River
and the parks that surround it, and this funding will help to move forward important environmental restoration projects along the River and at
Soundview
Park
. I'm also very happy to have helped push the federal government to restore
Orchard
Beach
—I love the beach there and will continue to work to ensure that
Orchard
Beach
will be a clean, safe, and fun place for generations of
Bronx
families to enjoy.”
“This is a huge quality of life victory for the hardworking people in the
Bronx
,” said Congressman Crowley. "I am so pleased that I was able to work with Congressman José Serrano to secure these funds. A cleaner and more beautiful
Bronx
will make a lasting impact on all of my constituents' lives. Park land is at a premium in this area, and it is so important that we make sure it is safe for all to use.”
The $900,000 is divided between three projects. The
Soundview
Park
ecosystem restoration project will receive $400,000. These funds will be used for topographic and bathymetric survey, biological survey and benchmarking, and socioeconomic analysis.
Soundview
Park
encompasses 158 acres along the east bank of the lower
Bronx
River
as it empties into the
East River
. According to the US Army Corps of Engineers,
Soundview
Park
has experienced extreme aquatic ecosystem habitat degradation due to coastal filling and shore hardening.
Orchard
Beach
will receive $250,000 for their shoreline project to address storm damage prevention, recreation, and environmental restoration.
Orchard
Beach
is a favorite recreational site for
Bronx
residents and more than two million people, many low-income and minority, visit
Orchard
Beach
every year.
The Bronx River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Study will receive $250,000, which will be used for the continuation of the study of the important environmental restoration project along the
Bronx
River
. An environmentally sound
Bronx
River Basin
will improve the quality of life for the thousands of people who live near the River and improve the entire ecosystem of the
New York City
region.
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