Press Releases
GOV. MALLOY, SEN. DAILY & REP. CRAWFORD ANNOUNCE STATE FUNDING FOR DREDGING OF WESTBROOK HARBOR
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy, State Senator Eileen M. Daily (D-Westbrook) and State Representative James M. Crawford (D-Westbrook) today announced that the State Bond Commission is expected to approve funding for the Town of Westbrook to dredge its harbor and outer channel.
The $750,000 allocation will serve as a match that will release an additional $680,000 from the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the project.
Governor Malloy said, "Understandably, dredging of the harbor has been a high priority for the Town of Westbrook. Many businesses depend on the harbor both directly and indirectly, and in turn there are many people whose jobs rely on its safe and efficient use."
Without the dredging, boats may be unable to enter at low tide. The last full dredge of the inner harbor was in 1998. The Town of Westbrook estimates that 2,000 boats are moored or docked in the harbor. In 2008, the Harbor Commission estimated the marine industry is about 20% of the Westbrook economy.
"Regularly scheduled harbor and channel dredging is the key to economic viability and maritime safety in any harbor. I'm grateful to Governor Malloy and other members of the Bond Commission for their approval of this funding for the Westbrook harbor and for the overall support it suggests for Connecticut's entire marine trades industry," Senator Daily said. "It's also important to note the federal government will underwrite nearly 50 percent of this project to the benefit of those who call Westbrook their home port, transient boaters, and the larger shoreline community."
"This project is absolutely critical to the economic health of Clinton and Westbrook," Rep. Crawford said. "Marine and ancillary businesses will get a boost having access to larger boats, passengers and crews in the summer months, and repairs and storage in the winter. Safety issues will be addressed to allow all boats, especially deep keep sailboats, safer passage along the Pochoug and Menunketesuck Rivers."
The State Bond Commission is scheduled to vote on the item at its June 24 meeting at 10:30 a.m. in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
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For Immediate Release: June 21, 2011
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