Community leaders in the Rockaways want 50 rock jetties built off the coast

Image source: dakine kane on Flickr – one of the jetties in the Rockaways

CBS News reports that local community leaders in the Rockaways would like to see a whole bunch of jetties built off the coast of the peninsula. They believe that this “jetty field” will help protect the area during another severe storm like Hurricane Sandy.

Jetties served the Arverne-by-the-Sea community well during the hurricane, protecting the development. Jetties are likened to the levies in New Orleans with regard to their ability to protect. They both absorb some of the current of the water, and absorb some of the impact of the waves, so they would help with breaking up the storm surge that accompanies a hurricane.

Each rock jetty would cost $1,000,000, which is not chump change; these jetties are starting to be seen as necessities, not “nice to haves” in the wake of so many homes having been damaged by Hurricane Sandy. Community leaders will be attending a rally on Sunday at Beach 86th Street with the purpose of convincing elected officials to fund this jetty project.

Rockaway Beach Replenishment Advocates Call For Rock Jetties, Call It ‘No Brainer’ Line Of Defense [CBS News]
Hurricane Sandy utterly destroyed the Rockaway boardwalk [QNYC]