New York Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala and New York Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley announced today the completion of the three-phase, $148 million program to reduce street flooding, ensure the reliability of the drinking water system, improve the health of Fresh Creek and Jamaica Bay, and restore the roads of the neighborhood safer for all users. DEP financed the project while DDC managed the construction.

“No New Yorker should have to cross their fingers and hope that their street or their house won’t be flooded when
they see rain clouds,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “This $148 million investment in 15 miles
new sewers and water lines for south Brooklyn will reduce flooding, protect our drinking water,
and improve the quality of life. We know that environmental justice begins on the ground and, through
projects like these will build a safer, more resilient city for all New Yorkers.

“What better day than Earth Day to celebrate a $148 million investment in South Brooklyn where we
separated what was previously combined sewers in Canarsie and East New York and created
additional capacity in the drainage system which will result in less flooding and a significant reduction in
overflows into Fresh Creek – big wins for the community and the environment,” said the NYC Department
by Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala.

“This great program in Canarsie and East New York will dramatically improve the quality of life for residents
with reduced street flooding and improved reliability of water supply infrastructure,” the New York Department said.
Design and Construction Commissioner, Thomas Foley. “All the streets affected
throughout construction received new roads, sidewalks and curbs to direct stormwater to the
new storm sewers and mitigate damage to homeowners.

“New York City is building resilience, protecting residents and improving water quality with this
significant investment in infrastructure,” said the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Curator Basil Seggos. “NYS DEC congratulates NYC DEP and DDC on the completion of this major project which is part of the long-term control plan to deal with combined sewer overflows in South Brooklyn, and we look forward to continuing to work together. to mitigate flooding and other impacts of climate change in communities across the region.

“Major investments in infrastructure lead to significant improvements in the quality of life for all
Brooklynites,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This $148 million investment in
Canarsie and East New York will not only improve waste management and ensure clean drinking water
for community members, but it will also intercept flood events that are becoming more frequent due to
climate change. We thank our DEP and DDC partners for this necessary infrastructure investment.
“These 6.5 miles of new sewers in East New York and Canarsie will prevent flooding in homes
and our streets, not to mention preventing 189 million gallons of overflow from entering Fresh Creek and
Jamaica Bay,” State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said. “The completion of this project marks an important step
step towards resilience.

“While nearly a decade has passed since Super Hurricane Sandy, many New Yorkers continue to feel its
devastating effects, especially the communities of Canarsie and eastern New York. The Jamaica Bay Area
remains vulnerable to extreme weather events,” said Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. “I thank the
The NYC Departments of Environmental Protection and Design and Construction and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for their work in completing new sewers in our lower neighborhoods to ensure that we are prepared for future storms. This project will not only reduce street flooding, but it will
will improve the reliability of the drinking water distribution system and improve the health of Fresh Creek
and Jamaica Bay.

“I am truly thrilled to join DEP and DDC in celebrating the completion of the $148 million project.
infrastructure project to help alleviate flooding on the streets of Canarsie and improve the health of Fresh
Creek,” said board member Mercedes Narcisse. “Sewers are not usually cause for celebration, but

Canarsians like me who endured Super Hurricane Sandy and the massive rainstorms that followed will surely be pleased to know that the area now has 6.5 miles of new storm drains. This project should go a long way in improving the quality of life for neighborhood residents and hopefully help make flooded streets and basements a thing of the past.

“This is a significant infrastructure investment in East New York and Canarsie. Flood and sewer
backups have caused problems for landlords, tenants and small businesses in the past,” Assembly said.
Member Nikki Lucas. “The $148 million investment is a win for residents and small business owners
of East New York and Canarsie and a start to bring the community into the 21st century with many
necessary infrastructure upgrades. I look forward to working with DEP and DDC on other infrastructures
programs across East New York and Canarsie.

The three-phase project includes sections in the Canarsie and East New York neighborhoods of Brooklyn. A total of 6.3 miles of high-level storm sewers were installed to mitigate flooding. Reduce
combined sewers overflow into Fresh Creek, 0.2 miles of combined sewers were replaced and converted to sanitary sewers, and an additional 0.16 miles of existing sanitary sewers were also replaced.

In order to better capture rainwater and direct it to the new storm sewers, 176 sumps were installed.
Along with the new sewers, 8.3 miles of new ductile iron distribution water pipes were built to replace
old cast iron pipes, ensuring a reliable supply of high quality water for decades to come. Fire
protection has been enhanced with the installation of 128 fire hydrants to ensure the FDNY is ready
access to the City’s water supply. As part of the final restoration, all roadways, sidewalks and
the borders have been rebuilt.

Additionally, the Fresh Creek Basin Nature Preserve wetland has been restored. The salt marsh cordgrass habitat was leveled and expanded according to a design developed with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Fill, debris, invasive species and other ecological degradation have been removed to create nearly 30,000 square feet of restored wetlands in two wetlands comprising 21,200 square feet of intertidal marsh and 8,000 square feet of high marsh . Plantings to complement salt marsh cordgrass include salt marsh cordgrass, prickly grass, and black grass rush. Nearly 34,000 square feet of coastal forest has been created to improve the overall ecology of the reserve.
In total, the three phases cover a drainage area of ​​approximately 419 acres and reduce
sewers overflow into Fresh Creek, a tributary of Jamaica Bay. Increased collection of rainwater

runoff reduces flooding of roads and properties and separates approximately 50% of the
storm water flow from combined sewers. By reducing the pressure on the existing combined sewer
system, modeling shows that overflows into Fresh Creek will be reduced by approximately 189 million
gallons per year. This project is part of an agreement between the City of New York and the State of New York
Department of Environmental Conservation which aims to dramatically improve the health of New York
Port.