State Senator Paul Formica testified in support of a recently released plan to dredge Connecticut’s waterways at a public hearing that was held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in New London last week.
“ At stake is about $9 billion in economic activity a year and 55,000 jobs. Long Island Sound plays a major role in the economy of Southeastern Connecticut ,” Formica said.
Formica expressed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers his support for the plan developed during the last 10 years after countless hours of research.
“ It is imperative we have a strong program for dredging harbors and waterways in and around Long Island Sound ,” added Formica.
At the hearing the public had a chance to comment on the plan drafted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as to the dredging needs of Long Island Sound over the next 30 years.
Formica testified that different methods of disposing the dredge material need to be considered and used, but that open water disposal will continue to be necessary. The disposals are heavily controlled and regulated.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold additional hearing on the “Draft Dredge Material Management Plan” in coming weeks. The document is designed to serve as a guide for the federal government’s involvement in more than 50 dredging sites that will need work in the coming decades.