Courtney Announces More Than $5 Million in Federal Funds for Flood Mitigation and Storm Research
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-2) announced more than $5 million in federal grants through the U.S. Department of the Interior for eastern Connecticut.
“This funding will help protect our coastal landscape against future storms by removing aging dams that pose flood risks and increasing our scientific knowledge of storm impacts,” Courtney said. “Hurricane Sandy caused widespread damage along the eastern seaboard, and we must act to replenish the coastal wetlands, rivers, and other natural features that protect our homes and businesses from future storms. This package of grants announced today by Secretary Jewell demonstrates the federal government’s commitment to repairing our community from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Sandy, but also is a significant down payment toward protecting our coastline for the future.”
These funds were announced by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell as part of a $162 million investment in 45 projects that will protect Atlantic Coast communities from future powerful storms, including restoring marshes, wetlands and beaches, rebuilding shorelines, and researching the impacts and modeling mitigation of storm surge impacts. The Department of the Interior has already invested $480 million in Hurricane Sandy response and recovery efforts since the storm hit last October.
The grants will fund four projects in the eastern part of the state:
$727,650to remove the Norton Mill Dam, which has been damaged repeatedly by flooding and poses a risk to downstream property. Removal will restore access to 17 miles of habitat for Eastern Brook trout, Atlantic salmon, American eel, and river herring. DOI estimates the socioeconomic benefit at $8.5 million.
$2.2 millionto remove the White Rock and Bradford Dams on the Pawcatuck River, and install a fishway. These projects will reduce the risk of flooding during future storm events, restore the natural connectivity of the river, and enhance fish passage. This watershed will also benefit from the removal of an additional dam on the Mattatux River in Rhode Island. DOI estimates the socioeconomic benefit at $11 million.
$551,250to remove the Hyde Pond Dam on Whitford Brook, a tributary of the Mystic River. This project will mitigate downstream flooding risks and restore fish passage to 4.1 stream miles and habitat for alewife, blueback herring and American eel, candidate species under the Endangered Species Act. DOI estimates the socioeconomic benefit at $2 million.
$1,573,930 toassess the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy to the plant and bird communities of the tidal marsh for Species of Greatest Conservation Need; assess the success of tidal marsh restoration efforts under Hurricane Sandy mitigation funding; and enhance scientific understanding of the long-term consequences of the storm.
Secretary Jewell also announced that the Department would issue a Request for Proposals on October 29 for the $100 million Hurricane Sandy Coastal Resiliency Competitive Grant Program. States, local communities, non-profit organizations and other partners can compete for funding for innovative projects under the program, which is being administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Information on the competition can be found at https://www.doi.gov/hurricanesandy.