$60 million living oyster reef aimed at reducing waves on Staten Island’s South Shore
http://imgick.silive.com/home/silive-media/pgmain/img/advance/photo/2014/06/-100c6d7a08ba74ef.jpg
As the region looks to become more resilient in the face of future storms like Hurricane Sandy, in Staten Island, planners are looking to the borough’s past to do so - with a $60 million living reef off the shore of Tottenville harkening back to the borough’s oyster farming days.
A living breakwater project designed by SCAPE Landscape Architects was among the winning projects for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Rebuild by Design contest, and the state will receive $60 million from HUD to implement it along the South Shore coast.
> “The proposal is going to create a living breakwater that will reduce wave action and erosion and lower risk from heavy storms,” HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan said. “It also includes a plan to engage the local schools to help build resilience awareness in the community.”
Kate Orff, principal at SCAPE, called their win a “big win for Staten Island.”
“The living breakwaters project is really part of this layered approach that was a key aspect of all the community-led design – it was part of the New York Rising efforts, so we’re excited to get this facet funded,” Ms. Orff said. “And I think, in close collaboration with all the things that are happening on shore, the breakwaters can make a big difference.”
=============================
Source: $60 million living oyster reef aimed at reducing waves on Staten Island's South Shore - silive.com