Carper announces nearly $32M for Bay Beach protection program

Senator Tom Carper joined Delaware Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Shawn M. Garvin, Slaughter Beach Mayor Bob Woods, Delaware Bay Beach Association President Kathy Lock, and state and local officials yesterday to announce $31.9 million in federal funding to help protect and restore Delaware bay beach communities.

Carper secured $10 million in Congressionally Directed Spending that will help restore the beaches and build storm protection systems, such as dunes, to guard the communities along the bay, including Pickering Beach, Kitts Hummock, Slaughter Beach, Prime Hook Beach and Lewes Beach.

In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers released its work plan which allocates an additional $21.9 million to the initiative. 

“This funding will help restore the beach and dunes that help protect our communities along the bay and Delaware’s thriving beach economy,” said Sen. Carper. “While we continue to invest in our coastline, we must also address the root causes of sea level rise and ever-growing storms caused by climate change.”

Senator Carper previously secured $26 million for the project, which brings the total federal funding secured for the project to approximately $58 million.