Funds secured for bay beach nourishment

A total of $25 million has been secured for Delaware Bay beach nourishment projects, U.S. Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester announced March 10.

The projects will help restore beaches in Pickering Beach, Kitts Hummock, Bowers Beach, South Bowers Beach, Slaughter Beach, Prime Hook Beach and Lewes Beach.

“I’ve long worked to provide Delaware with the resources needed to restore and maintain our bay beaches,” said Carper, chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Beach nourishment protects the homes, businesses and livelihoods of those living in our bay communities and restores critical habitats that the beaches provide for many species. [This] announcement will help several projects get across the finish line at a cost share that is much more affordable for the participating communities.” 

“Delaware’s bay beaches are critical habitats and protective zones for communities up and down Delaware’s coast that strengthen our natural resiliency and create good-paying jobs for our economy,” said Coons. “I’m glad to see an additional $25 million for bay beach renourishment heading to support these communities and help make shoreline protection projects more affordable.”

“Delaware’s beaches play a key role in keeping our environment healthy, boosting our local economy, and strengthening our tourism sector,” said Blunt Rochester. “I’m proud to join Sens. Carper and Coons to announce $25 million in federal funding for ongoing renourishment projects for our bay beaches so that our coastal communities, businesses, and wildlife can continue to thrive.”

The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 also reduced the non-federal share for shore protection projects to 10% of the total project cost. In addition, the law provided the Army Corps with temporary construction authority to nourish the bay beaches through individual placements of dredged material from nearby navigation channels.