Proposal for $30 million in Funding Gains Momentum

Hartford, CT – State Senator Dan Debicella (R-Shelton) introduced a proposal Wednesday to give the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) the authority to issue up to $30 million in grants to fund drainage improvements, tidal regulators, river flow changes and other necessary structural improvements that will help municipalities prevent flooding. The proposal has received bi-partisan support, and is being included in one of the main bonding packages this year.

“Connecticut has been hit hard by multiple storms in recent months and we will certainly see more severe weather in the months ahead. By making a small investment in infrastructure improvements now, we can significantly reduce our exposure to the costly damage flooding can cause,” said Senator Debicella, an Assistant Minority Leader in the Connecticut State Senate.

Debicella said infrastructure upgrades were particularly important to coastal towns like Stratford, Bridgeport and Fairfield, and for Housatonic towns like Shelton and Seymour. “Areas like Lordship in Stratford need to deal with flooding from Long Island Sound, downtown Stratford has a drainage problem, and the Maples area in Shelton gets hit with overflow from the Housatonic,” said Debicella. “Our towns would benefit greatly from the structural improvements this proposal is designed to fund.”

Debicella introduced his proposal Wednesday as an amendment to H.B. 7300, An Act Establishing Measures to Mitigate Catastrophic Losses Due to Hurricanes and Severe Storms. The Democrats voted the amendment down on a party-line vote, but gave assurances the proposal will be included in the larger bonding package (SB 1119) expected to pass in early June.

“I am grateful for the bipartisan support this bill has received and I will fight to ensure that this important funding is included in the bonding package,” said Debicella.