WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) today praised the Army Corps of Engineers' $17,731,250 contract award to replenish the beach, construct dunes and jetties and extend the pier in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, N.J. that was severely damaged by Superstorm Sandy. Work is expected to begin next month.

"For years the surrounding community was at the mercy of Mother Nature," said Sen. Menendez. "Superstorm Sandy made it abundantly clear that more needed to be done to protect residents living along the Jersey Shore. That is why I fought so hard for $5 billion to be included in the federal Sandy relief package to fund this and other Army Corps flood-mitigation projects. We can no longer sit back and ignore the potential destruction from major storms and coastal flooding. We cannot allow ourselves to remain vulnerable and defenseless. Once completed, the Army Corps' project will fortify Port Monmouth and help keep its residents safe and out of harm's way."

"I am pleased to join Senator Menendez in announcing funding to support the Army Corps as they implement flood-mitigation projects at Port Monmouth," said Sen. Booker. "Superstorm Sandy exposed New Jersey to a level of destruction from which we are still recovering. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye if we want to prevent exposure to these cataclysmic risks again. The funding announced today proactively protects our coastline and communities from future storms and more importantly, it allows New Jersey to be prepared."

Port Monmouth's beach was battered by the fierce power of Superstorm Sandy, compromising the surrounding neighborhood's defenses, which proved ill-equipped to safeguard the community from a record storm surge that flooded streets and destroyed homes leaving hundreds displaced.

The Senators called the Army Corps' contract award a critical step in the recovery of Port Monmouth. The project represents Phase 1 of a larger flood control plan that includes levees, floodwalls, a pumping station and a tide gate that will ensure the area is stronger than before the storm and better protected against future coastal flooding.

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