Schumer, Gillibrand Announce Over $1.8 Million in Federal Funding for Krull Park Shoreline Restoration in Niagara County

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The office of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, issued the following news release:

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- Federal Funding Will Be Used To Restore Krull Park Shoreline Damaged By Extreme Flooding Of Lake Ontario In 2017

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U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,888,493.25 in federal funding for shoreline restoration in Niagara County. The federal funds are administered through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and will be used to restore the Krull Park Shoreline in Niagara County, which was severely damaged by flooding that took place in Lake Ontario in 2017.

"The flooding of Lake Ontario in 2017 devastated shoreline communities and recreational spaces such as Krull Park and the regional economy right alongside it," said Senator Schumer. "This funding is a critical investment that will help Niagara County restore the Krull Park shoreline, improve its resiliency to future extreme weather events and ensure the lakeshore economy continues to thrive."

"Homes, businesses, and communities were devastated by severe flooding of Lake Ontario two years ago," said Senator Gillibrand. "This federal funding will be used to make necessary repairs to make the Krull Park Shoreline more resilient and better able to withstand the next big storm. I will always fight for the resources our communities need to rebuild."

New York's Lake Ontario shoreline experienced severe flooding in the summer of 2017 after heavy rains in the spring. Krull Park Beach was impacted by the Lake Ontario flooding and remained closed that summer due to shoreline damage caused by high water levels and harsh rainstorms. In November of 2017, FEMA issued a major disaster declaration for the area surrounding the Lake Ontario shoreline, following a major push from Schumer and Gillibrand.

FEMA provided this funding through its Public Assistance Grant Program (PA), which provides grants to government organizations and private nonprofit organizations after an official major disaster declaration. The purpose of PA is to help communities recover from and respond to disasters and emergencies quickly. The PA is authorized under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.