Federal funds used for Asharoken dunes repair

New sand dunes now line a section of Asharoken Avenue, after a federally funded project wrapped up in Asharoken.

Asharoken Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse said 6,301 tons of sand were delivered to the village and were used to create and repair some dunes. This smaller project is a precursor to an estimated $30 million beach and shoreline restoration project, which will be funded by the Sandy relief bill passed in January.

For years, officials have said a beach and shoreline restoration project is critical for the safety of area residents and to protect Asharoken Avenue — which provides the only access to Asharoken Village and Eatons Neck.

The recently completed project cost $145,454, which will be fully reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, Rittenhouse said.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation teamed up in 2001 to begin an Asharoken coastal storm risk management study. The two agencies will be working together on Asharoken’s beach restoration project.

Asharoken Mayor Gregory Letica said village officials are waiting for the Army Corps to get its funding from the Sandy bill and, after that, the federal and state agencies will start a feasibility study.