Meng, Ocasio-Cortez, and Schumer Obtain a Nearly $120 Million Provision That Would Allow Queens to Upgrade Environmental Infrastructure
June 15, 2022
Lawmakers Secure Measure in Key Water Resources Bill and Applaud House Passage of the Legislation; Projects stand to include water and wastewater infrastructure including storm-water management and combined sewer overflow
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced the House passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA), which includes Meng's bill to authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to nearly $120 million to work with the City of New York in upgrading environmental infrastructure in Queens. Projects that directly address water and waste water infrastructure and improve storm-water management, including combined sewer overflows, are among those that could be considered.
"I want to thank Leader Schumer, Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, Mayor Adams, and Queens Borough President Richards for working with me to secure this important policy provision to help make Queens more resilient in the face of climate change," said Congresswoman Meng. "Queens was one of the hardest hit areas when Hurricane Ida stuck last year; on top of billions in economic damage, people lost their lives because our infrastructure failed to withstand the onslaught of rain and flooding. We know the devastating effects that future surges of rainfall can pose if left unaddressed. The provision that we secured will help ensure that our communities are better prepared to handle many problems that we have faced in the past."
"After the flooding from Hurricane Ida devastated so many families in Woodside, we worked with Rep. Meng and Majority Leader Schumer to authorize $120 million in the Water Resources Development Act for water & wastewater infrastructure in Queens," said Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez. "Now that this measure has passed the House, we urge the Senate to do the same, so that we can appropriate this funding for climate resiliency projects and mitigate costly, fatal disasters like Ida in the future."
"Hurricane Ida devastated communities across New York, and Queens in particular suffered immense damage to its roads, businesses and homes, and lives were tragically lost," said Senator Schumer. "As these extreme weather events become more frequent, it's critical that we upgrade our environmental infrastructure so communities are more resilient when confronted with future storms. I am pushing to provide as much support as possible for Queens communities through this provision, an important step towards addressing our city's water and waste water infrastructure needs."
"As extreme flooding and rainfall events become more frequent, investments in upgraded sewers and stormwater management only become more critical to keeping our roads clear and New Yorkers' homes dry" saidNew York City Mayor Eric Adams. "I'm grateful to our Congressional delegation for securing the authorization needed to make Queens communities safer and more resilient for generations to come."
"From Superstorm Sandy to Hurricane Ida and beyond, Queens knows all too well the destructive and deadly impacts extreme weather can have on our borough, especially in historically overlooked neighborhoods with antiquated and ineffective sewer and storm-water drainage systems. This massive federal investment in Queens' infrastructure would not only dramatically reduce flooding from future storms, it would protect property and save lives," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "I am deeply grateful for the leadership of Representative Grace Meng, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to ensure the Water Resources Development Act authorizes $120 million in critically important infrastructure improvements for Queens. I look forward to the Senate's passage of this monumental bill, President Biden's signature and shovels ultimately hitting the dirt."
The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Allowing the Army Corps of Engineers to spend the money is the first step in the process. If enacted into law, Congress would still need to provide funding for the Corps to carry out the environmental infrastructure projects in Queens.
The bill now heads for a vote in the Senate.