MIDLAND BEACH — Nearly $56 million in federal funds will come to Staten Island to help limit the flooding in neighborhoods damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
Sen. Charles Schumer and Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved $33 million to protect to the 24 acres of Staten Island's Bluebelt in Midland Beach.
The lawmakers also announced $17.4 million to restore nine acres of flood-prone, Sandy-impacted land in Midland Beach to their natural condition, and another $5.9 million for 3.25-acres in New Dorp Beach.
The goal is to transform the property into a wetland that can naturally absorb storm water.
“Hurricane Sandy highlighted the issue, but Midland Beach residents have faced chronic flooding for too long," de Blasio said in a release.
"The Bluebelt allows us to better protect Midland Beach and communities around Staten Island from future storms in an innovative and efficient way — and now this key section can move forward."
The city announced in April it would spend $48 million to expand the Bluebelt system in Woodrow, and officials said more are slated to come to the Mid-Island.
The Bluebelt project in the borough aims to provide an ecological approach to managing storm water in flood prone areas by preserving and enhancing wetland streams, according to the release.
“With this funding, Midland Beach will be better protected in the event of a future storm, and I am confident the Bluebelt will help reduce flood threats," Schumer said in a release.
