Funding Secured for Area Waterway Dredging Projects in Connecticut River Valley

Large Sum Dedicated to Old Saybrook's North Cove

REGIONAL - Several important projects for the Connecticut River Valley area will be advanced thanks to Congressman Joe Courtney (D-2).

The passage of a Fiscal Year 2008 Omnibus Appropriations Bill totaling almost $51 million includes many earmarks benefiting Courtney's district, which includes most of Eastern Connecticut. 

"Eastern Connecticut is home to many exciting technological initiatives and to some very dire infrastructure needs, which I am proud to be able to address in this appropriations bill," said Courtney. "The new Democratic-led majority has kept its promise to restore fiscal responsibility in Washington while continuing to support our local priorities with new federal funding."

Some of the funds have been earmarked for much needed dredging of various waterways in the region. Among those receiving funding, Old Saybrook's North Cove is expected to receive $4,433,000 to be used for testing, planning, and permitting of dredge work of Old Saybrook's North Cove.

Courtney's office reported that the cove was last dredged in 1965 and funds will allow the harbor to be restored to its authorized depths by dredging and properly disposing of those materials.

Area boaters will also benefit from the authorization of $187,000 to sample, test, and remove sediment material from the Mystic Harbor which was last dredged 50 years ago. Like North Cove, vessels have experienced problems navigating through the Mystic Harbor.

Another dredging plan authorizes $3,525,000 for the Long Island Sound Dredged Materials Management Plan that would evaluate and implement dredging and sediment management options.

The plan would be coordinated through the partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Connecticut, and the State of New York.

Dredged materials are expected to be disposed of at one of four disposal sites in the Long Island Sound. Environmental impact studies have already been completed at two of the four sites and the plan is expected to help the shoreline region environmentally and economically and allow other dredging projects to move forward.