Shays Ensures $5.6 Million For Dredging in Norwalk

by turfgrrl

December 19th, 2007 · 2 Comments

Tags: Norwalk

2 Responses so far ↓ “Shays Ensures $5.6 Million For Dredging in Norwalk”

• 1 Anonymous // Dec 20, 2007 at 3:53 am

  The city, Congressman Shays and I have worked very diligently to demonstrate the importance of these funds,” said Mayor Richard A. Moccia in a statement. “From crime prevention, to intermodal and transit improvements to the lifeblood of Norwalk and its Harbor, these funds will improve the quality of life for our residents and help to keep Norwalk on the move.”

  now the real deal, odd how things read a day after isn’t is . Why is it so political?

  The dredging of Norwalk Harbor might take longer than expected because the city didn’t get the money it requested from the federal government.
  Norwalk Harbor commissioners wanted $8 million from the U.S. Congress to finish removing sediment that blocks federal waterways. But the project will only receive $5.6 million, and harbor officials might break the dredging project into three or more phases, instead of the existing two-step plan, as a result.

  “It’s less than the full amount that was asked for, but more than the minimum amount that the Senate put in, and that’s what we have to live with,” Geoffrey Steadman, a consultant to the Norwalk Harbor Management Commission, said.

  A successful dredging project requires several factors to fall into place. Before any work can begin, the state Department of Environmental Protection issues a water quality certificate to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees the dredging.

  The certificate for Norwalk Harbor expires in January and will require an extension from the department. If the project takes too long, the department may need to test for changes in sediment since the last certificate was issued, causing further delays.

  “What we’d want to look at is, what is the probability that this project is going to be completed, because the data begins to get old after a while,” George Wisker, an environmental analyst for the department, said.
  According to the certificate, Norwalk’s dredged sediment isn’t completely clean, and after it’s dumped in the Sound, it must be capped with fill material suitable to curtail environmental damage.

  Harbor officials hope to use fill from another planned dredging project at Old Saybrook’s North Cove. The fill is clean enough for capping, but shipping it to Norwalk will cost about $1 million.

  The expense wasn’t factored into federal funding, but the Connecticut Maritime Commission hopes the state will pay. Martin Toyen, the commission chairman, wants to either create a fund that would address issues such as these or pull money from the state’s rainy day fund.

  “We want to secure the million dollars necessary and get both projects completed,” Toyen said.

  Finally, the project needs money, but since Congress didn’t fully grant the request, harbor commissioners may need to seek future water quality certificates and sources of fill if they want to finish the job.

  “If we do a portion of the dredging now, and we need to get new money, new capping material and a new extension on the capping material until 2009, that begins the cycle all over again,” said Michael Griffin, state harbormaster for the Norwalk Harbor.

  All harbor officials interviewed were thankful for the money they got, but it’s unclear how they will use it. The commission is discussing the best solution with the Army Corps of Engineers. Instead of adding more phases, the project could be delayed until 2009 in hopes that Congress will send more money next year.

  “I think at this point we’re open to all suggestions about how to complete it, and nothing has been finalized yet,” Anthony Mobilia, the harbor commission chairman, said.

  At the earliest, phase two will begin in October 2008.

  “I don’t mean to be an alarmist,” Griffin said, “but we have no guarantees that it can or will be done even in three phases.”

  Staff writer Jared Newman

  for once I’d like the facts without the see what Dickie did mom…….

• 2 Anonymous // Dec 20, 2007 at 3:59 am

  I like that guy Griffin he does tell it the way it is.

  Too bad the mayor wasn’t at the harbour commision meeting hearing dept heads like the fire chief say its going to cost money to operate the fire boat and the police saying their three boats and the harbour master as well will need money.

  Of course the The Advocate and The Hour sitting beside each other only heard what was positive to report and not what we need to hear to make sure the gem of Norwalk the water ways get what they need from the city and thats all before any dirt is dug and dumpe in LI sound. Theres a note from Schumer pointing out an agreement made years ago the news seems to not eiethr have or makes bad news to report. I wonder why that is?

  The blog has a copy I thinks…….

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