The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is hoping the third time is the charm when it comes to cleaning up super storm Sandy debris on Fire Island by the end of March.
The Corps has now awarded its third contract in the effort, this time for $10.1 million, to a California company that will be mandated to have 82 percent of the work done by Long Island-based subcontractors.
A Corps release Wednesday states the contract will bring $8.3 million to the Long Island business community and that work by the Environmental Chemical Company will start within 24 hours with debris removal expected to begin by the end of the week.
The goal is to finish the cleanup by the end of March as piping plover season restrictions will impact vehicle use on the beach after March 1.
The first two project contracts were thrown out following protests that winning bidders didn't meet specifications or qualified under the small business aspect of the contract.
