Schumer, Crystal Say FEMA Should Replace Long Beach Trees

Photo: Billy Crystal presents donation for new Long Beach Boardwalk in 2013. Credit: Patch

Billy Crystal and Sen. Charles Schumer headed to Long Beach Monday to plead for federal aid to replace trees killed by Hurricane Sandy.

Officials said multi-million dollar undertaking is too much for the City of Long Beach to fund and therefore should be financed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“The bottom line is we need some help from Washington. Long Beach will not be able to replace these trees without some federal reimbursement,” Schumer said, reported Newsday. “It’s very important for Long Beach to complete this work without breaking the bank.”

Hurricane Sandy swept away 2,500 trees when it battered Long Beach nearly two years ago. Replacing them would cost a reported $2.5 million.

“The whole 2.5 million must be funded federally,” insisted Schumer, according to 1010 WINS, “and I will not stop until that happens.”

“What happened to our trees?” Crystal said, according to WCBS. “Our family moved here in 1951, and it was the most beautiful place to grow up in. It still is for families now. And this is not a beautification project. This is something that we need.”

Schumer said FEMA gave $1.6 million to Florida after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and helped replace trees after Gustav struck New Orleans in 2008, according to Newsday.