Senators Charles E. Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton have announced that a House-Senate Conference Committee has agreed on a final version of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that includes $10 million for the Army Corps of Engineers to participate in the ecosystem restoration, navigation, flood damage reduction, and recreation components of the North Hempstead and Glen Cove Waterfront Revitalization Project.

The Water Resources Development Act authorizes Corps of Engineers civil works projects, including navigation, ecosystem restoration and shoreline protection projects. Under the authorizations, the corps partners with local sponsors to conduct the project. A project authorization in WRDA is a necessary first step toward securing funding in an appropriations bill at a later date. The bill will now go to the full House and Senate for final approval and, if approved, will go to President Bush for his signature.

Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi said, "As part of my efforts to bring much needed federal funds to our city, the City of Glen Cove partnered with the town of North Hempstead by lobbying for funding to protect Hempstead Harbor through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The WRDA funds will not only help Glen Cove and North Hempstead restore, protect and revitalize Hempstead Harbor, these funds will go to help the entire North Shore region. Hempstead Harbor is a shared resource and it is imperative that we take a regional long-term view on what it means to ourselves and our neighbors."

Mayor Suozzi continued, "I am grateful to Senators Schumer and Clinton and our ally, North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman, for recognizing the importance of restoring our shoreline, navigational channels and the re-vegetation and protection of this wonderful natural resource. This is a tremendous example of leadership on all levels, locally, regionally and federally. Together we can do more than each of us could accomplish alone."

At press time, Supervisor Kaiman was not available for comment.

"This funding is necessary for the continued health of the North Hempstead and Glen Cove waterfronts, and for the growth of the area economies," Sen. Schumer said. "With recent storm damage taking its toll on beachfronts and navigation channels, this money will allow the federal government to better respond to, prevent and reverse damage to North Hempstead and Glen Cove's shorelines."

Sen. Clinton said, "I am pleased that we were able to authorize $10 million in funding for North Hempstead and Glen Cove. This funding will enable the federal government to partner with North Hempstead and Glen Cove to restore and revitalize the waterfront."