Serrano and Crowley
 Announce $900,000 in Federal Funding for

Soundview

Park

,

Orchard

Beach

and

Bronx

River Basin

Washington, DC
-Today, Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-07) and Congressman José E. Serrano (NY-16) announced that $900,000 in federal funding had been secured for environmental projects in the
Bronx
.  The funding comes from the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill for FY2005.

“It was a great pleasure working with Joe Crowley to get this much-needed money for improving the environment in the
Bronx
,” said Congressman Serrano. “Through my career in public service, I've worked hard to restore our

Bronx

River

and the parks that surround it, and this funding will help to move forward important environmental restoration projects along the River and at

Soundview

Park

.  I'm also very happy to have helped push the federal government to restore

Orchard

Beach

—I love the beach there and will continue to work to ensure that

Orchard

Beach

will be a clean, safe, and fun place for generations of
Bronx
families to enjoy.”

“This is a huge quality of life victory for the hardworking people in the
Bronx
,” said Congressman Crowley.  "I am so pleased that I was able to work with Congressman José Serrano to secure these funds.  A cleaner and more beautiful
Bronx
will make a lasting impact on all of my constituents' lives.  Park land is at a premium in this area, and it is so important that we make sure it is safe for all to use.”

The $900,000 is divided between three projects.  The

Soundview

Park

ecosystem restoration project will receive $400,000.  These funds will be used for topographic and bathymetric survey, biological survey and benchmarking, and socioeconomic analysis. 

Soundview

Park

encompasses 158 acres along the east bank of the lower

Bronx

River

as it empties into the
East River
.  According to the US Army Corps of Engineers,

Soundview

Park

has experienced extreme aquatic ecosystem habitat degradation due to coastal filling and shore hardening.

Orchard

Beach

will receive $250,000 for their shoreline project to address storm damage prevention, recreation, and environmental restoration. 

Orchard

Beach

is a favorite recreational site for
Bronx
residents and more than two million people, many low-income and minority, visit

Orchard

Beach

every year.

The Bronx River Basin Ecosystem Restoration Study will receive $250,000, which will be used for the continuation of the study of the important environmental restoration project along the

Bronx

River

.  An environmentally sound

Bronx

River Basin

will improve the quality of life for the thousands of people who live near the River and improve the entire ecosystem of the
New York City
region.

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