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Pallone Announces More than $42 million For New Jersey Hurricane Sandy Relief

May 7, 2013

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that $42.35 million in emergency Hurricane Sandy disaster relief has been designated by the Department of Interior to New Jersey to repair and rebuild parks, refuges and other federal assets damaged by the storm. In addition to the state specific funding, New Jersey will receive a portion of $104.9 million allocated for multistate projects. The funding will also provide investments in scientific data and studies to support recovery in the region hit by Sandy, as well as historic preservation efforts.

“I fought hard for the fast passage of an emergency Sandy aid bill in Congress that would fully addresses the need in New Jersey, and I’m relieved to see this funding being released for important projects and investments to help move our recovery forward,” said Pallone.

The Department of Interior received $786.7 million in Sandy disaster relief bill passed by Congress in January of 2013. As of today, 60% of the Department of Interior’s Hurricane Sandy supplemental funding has been allocated. The remaining funding will be allocated in the coming months for mitigation projects that increase coastal resiliency and capacity to withstand future storm damage and to restore and rebuild public assets.

The emergency funding announced today will be allocated to New Jersey and other affected states by Sandy through:

  • The National Park Service (NPS) for projects to rebuild, repair and restore parks facilities, lands and replace equipment.
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to repair and restore refuges, hatcheries, and other facilities and to restore wildlife habitat. Hurricane Sandy left behind a 22-mile debris field in the marshes and wetlands along the coastal boundary of Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey. These fragile areas will be cleared of trash, hazardous materials and contaminants to restore clean water and healthy wildlife habitats.
  • The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for scientific monitoring, mapping, modeling, and forecasts to support broader recovery efforts throughout the impacted region. USGS scientific work will assist Interior’s efforts to restore Federal lands and facilities and will assist States, cities and communities to recover and rebuild in a more resilient manner. USGS will identify coastal areas vulnerable to storm damage and provide communities with critical information needed for recovery that will also help prepare for future storm events.
  • The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to address critical needs for Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) sand and gravel throughout the coastal areas undergoing recovery and rebuilding. BOEM will identify and evaluate OCS sand and gravel resources, and work with other Federal agencies, States, cities, and others to facilitate coastal restoration.
  • The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) will allocate $2.85 million to make repairs to the Ohmsett oil spill research facility in Leonardo, New Jersey. The Ohmsett facility provides independent and objective performance testing of oil spill response equipment and marine renewable energy systems, and helps improve technologies through research and development.

Details of the projects will be announced in the coming months as plans finalize.

To view the Department of Interior’s list of the approved projects, funding amounts, and spending plan, click HERE.

To view the Department of Interior’s state-by-state list of total funding amounts, click HERE.

Issues:New Jersey