FAR ROCKAWAY — Residents of the Rockaways were pushing the Army Corps of Engineers to complete a study on beach erosion after Hurricane Irene tore through the area last year, potentially endangering swimmers and homes, according to a published report.
The hurricane ripped apart several parts of the boardwalk, which is undergoing a $3.8 million rehab, and also badly damaged the stretch of shoreline between Beach 91st Street and Beach 101st Street, the Daily News reported.
While parts of the boardwalk are being re-constructed in time for summer, locals say the eroded beach rendered their homes and lives vulnerable to future storms, according to the report.
The group Friends of Rockaway Beach called it a "big issue for the community," and members said they were worried about safety on the beach and want the Army Corps of Engineers to finish its study on beach erosion so that damage from future storms could be avoided.
The group has called a "Demand the Sand" rally Sunday and asked officials to come up with cash to move more sand into the beach's most heavily eroded areas.
Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski assured residents that some sand will be transported to Beach 101 Street, where a berm will be constructed.
The office of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall is ponying up $1.1 million toward the repairs and City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) is paying another $500,000.
The city will pay for the rest of the work.
