What Happened?
Norfolk, Virginia, will be receiving a $4.6 million federal grant to support a shoreline restoration project, while Bridgeport, Connecticut, is using $10 million in federal funds to build protective flood walls around the city. The grants are part of an $103 million effort by the U.S. Department of the Interior to help communities rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
The Goal
Along the Lafayette River in Norfolk, city officials are launching shoreline restoration projects to improve water quality and prevent further erosion of the land. If the erosion is halted, the city expects to put a stop to the local chronic flooding issue.
Norfolk officials plan to use most of the $4.6 million to support eight shoreline restoration projects spanning 2,000 feet of the Lafayette River. The efforts are known as “living shoreline” projects that aim to build wetlands in place of hardened shorelines. Wetlands are able to absorb and filter stormwater runoff after it rains to reduce exposure to pollutants. Wetlands also provide protection during storm surges in communities along the river.
In light of the impact of Hurricane Sandy, officials in Bridgeport mapped out areas of the city that are more vulnerable to flooding in the event of severe storms. The $10 million federal grant will be used to build new flood walls and barriers to the Black Rock neighborhood which has proven to be exceptionally flood-prone.
Recovering from Sandy
The U.S. Department of Interior is providing the $4.6 million grant to Norfolk, the $10 million grant to Bridgeport, and other grants to projects in 11 states along the East Coast totaling $103 million in funds. The projects all center on rebuilding and restoration of coastal communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy in 2012.
Falling under the Climate Action Plan, the federal grants are designed to strengthen local communities’ resilience against future storms and severe weather conditions. The $103 million will be allocated in competitive matching grants to 54 projects along the East Coast. The projects are designed to:
- Restore wetlands and natural areas
- Manage stormwater with green infrastructure
- Assist state, local and tribal communities in preparing for major storms
- Create jobs in local communities
- Tap into younger worker pools and veterans for employment
All of the projects are science-based, aimed at not only rebuilding what was affected by Hurricane Sandy, but also research technologies and strategies to anticipate severe weather and prevent extensive damages in the future.
The projected outcome of the grant program includes restoration of:
- Nearly 7,000 acres of wetlands and marshes
- 225 acres of beach
- 364 acres of riparian buffers
- 16 miles of streams
- 287 miles of streams to fish passage
- 147 acres of flood plain
The programs are receiving $100 million of funding from the U.S. Department of Interior, $2.7 million from the U.S. Attorney General’s offices in New Jersey and Delaware, and donations from Bank of America and Wells Fargo. After matching contributions from partners, the grant program will total more than $175 million.
Supporting Water Projects
Gov1 has reported on a variety of funding opportunities for water projects and conservation efforts, including competitions for new technology innovations.
Promo: Norfolk and Bridgeport are two of 54 water projects receiving funding from the Department of Interior to help rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The department is allocating $103 million in federal grants to projects along the East Coast.