By Hank Russell
Suffolk County was recently the recipient of $28.5 million in state funding for climate resiliency and infrastructure projects. The funding is set to replace Asharoken Avenue Seawall, restore Stony Brook’s Harbor Road, elevate and improve key roadways in Amityville Harbor, and rebuild the Blydenburg Dam and Stump Pond.
“When Superstorm Sandy hit our shores, it upended the lives, homes, and businesses of millions of Long Islanders,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “New York cannot afford another Sandy – that’s why my administration continues to make historic investments in climate resiliency and infrastructure projects to prepare for future weather events. … Together, we are building a better, stronger, and more resilient New York.”
Hochul’s $28.5 million investment in Suffolk County includes:
- $12 million for replacing the Asharoken Avenue Seawall, which serves as a crucial flood mitigation measure for the surrounding community.
- $6.5 million for restoring Stony Brook’s Harbor Road, which was washed out in a powerful storm in August 2024.
- $2 million for elevating and improving key roadways in Amityville Harbor to address rising sea levels and coastal resiliency.
- $8 million for rebuilding the community’s beloved Blydenburg Dam, which was also washed out in 2024.
Local elected officials from both sides of the aisle praised Hochul for providing the funding necessary to protect the county against extreme climate events.
“Rising sea levels and severe storms are an increasing threat to Long Island,” state Senator Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood) said. “Confronting this reality will require a proactive commitment to rebuild vulnerable infrastructure with innovative solutions that allow our region to adapt to a changing climate.”
Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay (D-Port Jefferson) said the funding came about as “the result of strong intergovernmental partnerships between New York State and the Town of Brookhaven, as well as local organizations and the many residents and community advocates who have dedicated themselves to this cause. Together, we are not only rebuilding critical infrastructure, but also preserving a cherished piece of our community’s natural beauty, history, and character for generations to come.”
Ward Melville Heritage Organization President Gloria Rocchio said, “I’ll never forget the day Governor Hochul visited Stony Brook after the disaster. She took my hand, looked me in the eye, and said, ‘I’ll help.’ More importantly, she followed through on that promise. … Thanks to her, the project will get done.”
“There could be no better news for the residents of Suffolk County and those who have been working so hard to advocate for these projects,” added Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine, a Republican. “They all serve a great need in our fight against coastal resiliency and protecting the environment of Suffolk County.”
Romaine recalled how everyone “watched with great sadness” two years ago the historic Stump Pond being drained after “an historic rainstorm caused the dam to collapse.”
“Governor Hochul promised she would work with Suffolk to rebuild the dam and now we can take those next steps,” Romaine said. “The community will celebrate the decision to fund a new dam and restore Stump Pond.”
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico not only thanked Hochul for the funding, but credited Kassay, who he said called for an increase in state funding and U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point) for bringing the money down from Washington, D.C.
“The collapse of that dam also eliminated a crucial point of connectivity between Brookhaven and Smithtown via Harbor Road,” Panico, a Republican, said, adding the costs to repair the dam was greater than what the WMHO — which owns the dam — was able to afford. “Looking forward, the town of Brookhaven stands ready to rebuild the dam for everyone once the Ward Melville Heritage Organization completes their plans and obtains permits from all necessary regulatory agencies. None of this work would have been possible without funding that was put together by people working together, and I thank the governor for her commitment.”
Village of Head of the Harbor Mayor Michael Utevsky said, “When Governor Hochul took time on her birthday to tour the flooded site, on August 27, 2024, she promised to help us, and she has remained true to her word. [The funding] will go a long way towards paying the total costs.” Babylon Town Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez said, “The severe erosion at Amity Harbor Beach has put our roads, drainage systems, and neighboring homes at increasing risk. This funding allows us to raise vulnerable roadways, upgrade our drainage infrastructure, and protect both public assets and private property from future storm damage.”
Hochul knew that “reconstructing the seawall is not simply about repairing failing infrastructure; it is about protecting people,” Asharoken Village Mayor Gregory Letica said. “It is about safeguarding neighborhoods, ensuring public safety, strengthening resilience against future storms, and preserving communities that mean so much to all who live there.”
Assemblyman Keith Brown (R,C-Northport) recalled when he secured $50,000 in emergency funding to secure the sea wall. “That emergency funding helped buy us time, but it was never going to be enough,” he said. “A permanent solution was needed and required a serious capital investment from the state before a catastrophic failure occurred, which could have put lives, homes and critical access to Eaton’s Neck at risk.”
According to Brown, 25,000 petitions were sent to Albany calling for more funding.
“This would not have been possible without the collaboration and persistence of so many people who refused to accept failure of the Sea Wall as an option,” Brown said. “Today is a great day for the people of Asharoken and Eaton’s Neck. I am so proud the state listened, acted and delivered the funding needed to protect this coastal community.”
Letica said this investment “will benefit not only current residents but future generations who will continue to enjoy and cherish this remarkable part of Long Island. … Today, we celebrate more than funding. We celebrate partnership. We celebrate resilience. And we celebrate the promise that, working together, even small communities can accomplish great things.”