Coast erosion control project starts in Loíza

Loíza, Puerto Rico- The residents of the Parcelas Suárez community[DJ2] will have a new protection barrier to prevent coastal flooding that threatened their safety and their homes, with the construction of a breakwater thanks to the efforts of Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González-Colón, for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to carry out the work, at the request of the mayor of Loíza, Julia M. Nazario.

"Damage caused by hurricanes and coastal storms along the Loíza coast, including erosion, is a major public safety risk that threatens the life and safety of neighbors, streets, public buildings, businesses, schools, parks, residences, and access to recreational beaches. That is why we did not hesitate to join forces to find the necessary resources to protect these residents and we succeeded. This project with an investment of $ 5.17 million, 100% federal funds, will provide security and create 25 direct and 60 indirect jobs and generate approximately $160,000, in municipal license fees. It is estimated that the project will be completed in the spring of 2021", explained the congresswoman.

"We appreciate all the efforts made by Resident Commissioner Jenniffer González so that this community of Parcelas Suárez can see the start of this project become a reality . I particularly want to highlight the effort, organization, and patience of the residents and community leaders who fought so that this investment of $ 5.17 million dollars was made. What we see today is the result of teamwork, which includes legislators Nayda Venegas, Ángel Bulerín, and the Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources" said Dr. Julia M. Nazario Fuentes, Mayor of Loíza.

"This is another great example of a small project with huge benefits, the construction of this breakwater will not only protect critical infrastructure but allow facilities like the school and community center to be rebuilt later for the benefit of the Parcela Suárez community ", said USACE Jacksonville District Commander, Col. Andrew Kelly.

On March 8, 2018, the congresswoman took officials of the Corps of Engineers and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) to the beach that adjoins Parcelas Suárez in Loiza, to address the problem of coastal erosion.

After various evaluations of the proposal, USACE's Jacksonville District, which has Puerto Rico's jurisdiction, recommended this project to be included in the agency's national budget proposal, and through the work of the Resident Commissioner, the funds were allocated under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

This project will protect public facilities such as the Paseo del Atlántico area, adjacent to the community, the Head Start center, and a community center, among other facilities and the Parcelas Suárez community properties.

The work plan for the area consists of the construction of a continuous rock facing along approximately 1,050 feet of shoreline in front of the public road, the public school's Head Start, and the community center.

In attendance together with the Resident Commissioner at the event were: the mayor of Loíza Julia M. Nazario; the district Representative Ángel Bulerín, the senators of the Carolina district Eric Correa and Nayda Venegas; and the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. Rafael Machargo.

Present on behalf of the Corps of Engineers were COL J. Kelly, Commander of the South Atlantic Division; Colonel D Kelly, Jacksonville District Commander; 1LT Chandler B. Cole; CSM Chad C Blansett; Tim Murphy, Jacksonville District Deputy Director of Operations; and Milan Mora, director of the Jacksonville District Water Resources Division.