Written by Stephen J. Bronner
The Nassau County Legislature last week approved a plan to borrow about $465 million from a state agency to repair the stricken Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant.
Follow Long Beach Patch on Facebook.
The interest-free loan comes from the New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation. Under the plan, 90 percent of the repair expenses will be reimbursed by Federal Emergency Management Agency and the remaining 10 percent will be reimbursed by Federal Community Development Block Grant funds provided to Nassau County by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Find out what's happening in Long Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“My administration continues to aggressively move forward in repairing the Hurricane Sandy-damaged Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant while strengthening the facility from future storms,” County Executive Edward Mangano said in statement. “This funding is a critical step in achieving the long-term health of the plant and protecting our local neighborhoods, waterways and environment.”
The plant, which services 500,000 Nassau residents, was shut down for two days after 9 feet of saltwater flooded the facility during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. The plant’s electrical system sustained the worst damage, according to Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence).
Find out what's happening in Long Beachwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“I am very grateful that we have finally been able to procure all of the funding needed to repair the plant and prepare it against future storms,” Kopel said. “I am particularly thankful to the plant workers and the surrounding community for tolerating the plant’s conditions during the months that we fought to obtain the funding.”
The $465 million authorized today will fund six major projects at the Bay Park plan, according to the release:
Building a system of dikes, levees, and/or movable flood walls around the entire plant to provide protection against the 100-year storm and account for anticipated sea level rise.
Elevating and hardening the electrical plant distribution system.
Elevating and/or hardening 57 pump stations that serve one million residents to protect from floods.
Eliminating the sanitary sewer overflow condition that occurred at Barnes Avenue
Hardening and replacing the sludge dewatering equipment and building damaged during Sandy.
Mangano said he continues to pursue funding for an ocean outfall pipe that will further protect local waterways and commercial fishing industry.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
