PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers will hold a special ceremony next week to mark completion of a restoration project at the Camp Cronin Fishing Area in Narragansett.
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy caused extensive damage to the area surrounding Camp Cronin and washed out a portion of the access road that runs from Ocean Road to the jetty. The breakwater repair project was performed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with DEM, and included construction of a 70-foot wide, 480-foot long hybrid stone revetment to stabilize the shoreline and restore safe public access to the fishing area. The project also included repairs to the adjacent East Shore Arm Breakwater of the Point Judith Harbor of Refuge.
WHERE: Camp Cronin Fishing Area 1399 Ocean Road Narragansett, Rhode Island
WHEN: Monday, November 6, 2017 | 10:00 a.m.
WHO: U.S. Senator Jack Reed U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse US Army Corps of Engineers Colonel William M. Conde HUD Regional Community Planning & Development Director Robert Shumeyko DEM Director Janet Coit DEM Associate Director Larry Mouradjian
"This is a special place, and I am pleased to have secured federal funding to enhance safety, restore public access, and better protect the shoreline. Superstorm Sandy did significant damage. And yet, storms of this magnitude are becoming more commonplace – as the triple-whammy of Harvey, Irma, and Maria have reminded us this year. So as we celebrate the completion of this recovery project, we must be mindful of the steps we need take to promote pre-disaster mitigation and resilience to ensure that the next hurricane or flood doesn't lead to as much damage," said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee who helped secure $3.1 million in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds for the project, as well as an additional $5.4 million from funds appropriated to the Army Corps in the 2013 Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill.
"This is an excellent example of the Corps of Engineers working with the state of Rhode Island to combine their efforts to execute a successful project to benefit the state, the region and the residents of Rhode Island," said Col. William M. Conde, Commander and District Engineer of the New England District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"Our state is no stranger to the damaging effects of natural disasters, but Rhode Island is resilient," said Congressman Jim Langevin. "I'm pleased that federal funds are helping the state rebuild Camp Cronin and enabling Rhode Islanders and tourists to enjoy this coastal treasure for years to come."
"Camp Cronin is an iconic and cherished place – one of Rhode Island's gems," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "It's a popular place to fish and enjoy the beautiful, panoramic views of Point Judith, the seawall, Block Island, the entrance to Narragansett Bay, and the North Atlantic. This project includes numerous visual and structural enhancements that will safeguard the area during future storm events. We're so proud to have worked with our Congressional Delegation, Army Corps of Engineers, and other partners to preserve it for the public's enjoyment. Tremendous!"
Funding for the $8.5 million project was provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers via the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, and by Hurricane Sandy Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery funds. CDGB funds were allocated to the State by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, and administered by the RI Office of Housing and Community Development.
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