U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced yesterday nearly $7 million in funding for Oswego and Little Sodus Bay Harbors as a part of the recently passed bipartisan omnibus spending package for Fiscal Year 2022.
Specifically, the senators said that $5,900,000 will go to repairs to Oswego Harbor’s West Arrowhead Breakwater and fixing Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse, and $1,000,000 to dredge Little Sodus Bay Harbor.
“This is a long-overdue investment in Oswego and Little Sodus Bay Harbors,” said Senator Gillibrand . “This funding will finance critical infrastructure upgrades and help support robust trade and tourism in the region.”
In regards to Oswego Harbor, the $5.9 million delivered by the senators will prevent accelerating damage to the West Arrowhead Breakwater which requires significant repairs due to deteriorated sections from exposure to both wave action and ice damage.
The Oswego Harbor is a major receiving port on the Great Lakes responsible for the global trade of commodities that support the Central New York’s agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The West Arrowhead Breakwater protects the harbors primary channel which allows for safe navigation between Oswego Harbor and Lake Ontario.
The $1 million for Little Sodus Bay Harbor will support critical dredging of sediment build up in the harbor to ensure the continued safe passage of boats through its navigation channels.
The senators explained that built-up sediment and debris can severely inhibit water transportation along the bay, which if goes unchecked would pose a serious risk to the tourism economy and wildlife in the region.
This funding comes on the heels of Schumer and Gillibrand delivering $10,000,000 to Little Sodus Bay for repairs the West Pier and West Barrier Bar as a part of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), which included over $17 billion in Army Corps of Engineers funding.