During a news conference Monday, Oct. 15, at the Savin Rock gazebo, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi discussed key victories for West Haven’s beaches in the recently approved America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, including millions in federal aid for the city’s coastline.
The Senate approved the sprawling bill — legislation authorizing more than $6 billion in spending over 10 years for water infrastructure projects nationwide — on Oct. 10.
West Haven’s shoreline was severely eroded by Superstorm Sandy, making private and public infrastructure vulnerable to future weather events.
During the news conference, Connecticut’s senior senator said that he fought for essential provisions in the bill benefiting the state, including measures to safeguard West Haven’s beaches from future storm damage.
“ Connecticut really has been at the forefront of restoration and resilience ,” Blumenthal said. “ Resiliency is as important in Florida, in Georgia and the Carolinas as it is in Connecticut, and we are leading the way. What West Haven is doing with the great leadership of our mayor is important as a national mode l.”
Under the water infrastructure legislation, the city is expected to receive “ $3 million to $7 million ” in federal funding to build berms, or dunes, along the shoreline, Blumenthal said.
The next step, according to Blumenthal, is for the Army Corps of Engineers to study the scope of the federal project to determine the cost and how much money the city will receive.