A long-sought push to protect Mastic Beach from chronic flooding took a major step forward with a $10 million Green Resiliency Grant secured by local legislators for drainage and stormwater upgrades. The award marks one of the largest single state investments ever directed to the area.
Assemblyman Joe DeStefano said the grant represents the culmination of years of coordinated advocacy and on-the-ground collaboration among local, state and federal partners.
“For years, we’ve been fighting to secure real, lasting flood-mitigation solutions for Mastic Beach,” DeStefano said. “This investment is an important win for our community, and it reflects the persistence, coordination and unified effort of the many partners who’ve been working together toward the same goal.”
He noted that bi-monthly stakeholder meetings—originally launched by former Congressman Lee Zeldin, later led by Sen. Alexis Weik and taken over by DeStefano in 2022—have helped maintain structure and momentum for a community long challenged by flooding. DeStefano credited Senator Dean Murray with playing a key role in advancing the monies.
“I want to especially thank Senator Murray for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us throughout this entire process,” DeStefano said. “From day one, he made it clear that Mastic Beach needed and deserved this investment. When we worked together to elevate the urgency of these stormwater projects, the state listened.”
Murray said the funding represents a strong commitment to the area’s future, especially with the Beechwood effort to redevelop the Business District. “The Tri-Hamlet area has seen its share of flooding and water damage over the years, and as we continue moving forward with the Mastic Beach redevelopment project, it’s important that we remain focused on flooding, drainage and stormwater runoff,” Murray said. “This grant is truly an investment in the future of Mastic Beach. I applaud everyone who worked together to make it possible.”