The state has received federal funding that Gov. Dannel Malloy said will help protect communities along Long Island Sound.
The U.S. Interior Department has announced $162 million for 45 protects from Virginia to Maine and Connecticut will receive $5.2 million.
That will go toward five projects meant to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding by removing dams and restoring natural habitats.
The dams to be removed are:
Pond Lily Dam, West River, New Haven. Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound will manage the project.
Flock Process Dam, Norwalk River, Norwalk. The City of Norwalk will manage the project.
Norton Mill Dam, Jeremy River, Colchester. The Nature Conservancy will manage the project.
Hype Pond Dan, Whitford Brook, Mystic. Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound will manage this project.
A series of dams on the Pawcatuck River in Rhode Island will be removed, which will impact Connecticut waters, according to the governor’s office.
“Residents and communities that suffered damage as a result of Storm Sandy will benefit from new U.S. Department of the Interior funding that will improve the resiliency of coastal and riparian areas by providing effective buffers to better protect us from powerful storm surges and damaging flood waters,” Malloy said. “This is part of our effort to aggressively pursue all available federal funds to help our state rebuild and to better prepare for the future – an effort that has resulted in nearly half a billion in aid for Connecticut and its citizens.”
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said the Pond Lilly Dam has been a safety concern for Woodbridge Village District residents and business owners for decades.
“Removal of the dam will be good for Woodbridge’s economy, with an estimated economic benefit of $1.3 million. It has been a long time coming. The project will not only provide flood relief, but help efforts to restore the West River’s habitat to a more natural environment and promote recreational use of the Pond Lily Nature Preserve,” DeLauro said in a statement.
The awards are part of a $300 million two tier competitive grant process initiated by DOI. The Department of the Interior is expected to seek Requests for Proposals for a second round of projects that will be open to work outside of federal lands. Connecticut will submit several project proposals and DOI is expected to award another $100 million in that round of funding.
The state’s official CT Recovers website (ctrecovers.ct.gov) and the Department of Housing website provide information on assistance available to homeowners and businesses impacted by Storm Sandy.
More on Connecticut projects is listed here.
