Nydia M. Velázquez

06/10/2022 | Press release | Archived content

Velázquez Secures Projects in WRDA

Washington D.C.-Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has announced the just-passed House bill, The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), includes federal resources to study and report on the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the Newtown Creek.
WRDA is historically a comprehensive water resources development proposal that has been successfully enacted, on a bipartisan basis, in each of the last four Congresses. This year's bill authorizes studies and projects within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works mission areas, which aims to address flood damage reduction, hurricane and storm damage reduction, shoreline protection, and ecosystem restoration. The following are the two projects in New York's 7th District included in the bill and what they will do:

  • Brooklyn Navy Yard, will have a feasibility study to determine the best way to address flooding and sea level rise to keep critical maritime infrastructure functional including three of the last working dry docks on the East Coast which service U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA vessels.
  • Newtown Creek, will undergo ecosystem restoration study to create a living shoreline with intertidal salt marsh habitat and public access reconnecting Brooklyn and Queens to the creek's historically neglected and inaccessible natural resources.

"With severe weather events becoming more common due to climate change, it is crucial that we learn the best ways to better prepare our infrastructure to handle the most dangerous types of weather," said Velázquez. "I am proud to lead the effort to have these two projects included in the bill and I will continue to advocate for more research to determine the best ways to build climate resilient infrastructure."