In response to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy in Tottenville, Staten Island, New York City initiated the “Living Breakwaters” project to provide coastal protection while enhancing marine ecosystems. When Sandy struck 12 years ago, Tottenville’s minimal natural defenses were quickly overwhelmed, resulting in tragic losses, including the deaths of a young girl and her father. To prevent similar devastation, this project, largely completed this summer, employs concrete and rock reefs positioned about 1,000 feet from Tottenville’s shoreline to absorb and reduce wave energy. The structures are also designed to foster ecological health, supporting marine life through features like tide pools and textured surfaces that attract oysters, crabs, and fish, addressing the long-standing impact of overfishing and pollution on these habitats.

Funded by $111 million from post-Sandy recovery allocations, the “Living Breakwaters” system has become a pioneering example of hybrid infrastructure, blending environmental restoration with coastal defense. Observations from nearby communities, such as Florida’s Cedar Key and Seattle, reveal a growing interest in similar initiatives. Seattle has already built a $400 million seawall to safeguard its coast while also establishing habitats for young salmon. Moreover, New York City continues to expand its coastal defenses, including a $600 million seawall along parts of Staten Island and floodwalls for Manhattan’s East River. While some local residents question the long-term resilience of the breakwaters against severe storms, increased marine activity has signaled ecological revitalization, indicating that this innovative approach may serve as an effective countermeasure to the intensified storms driven by climate change.