Delaware gets $30 million in disaster relief to rebuild beaches
One day after the six-month anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, state representatives announced they have secured up to $30 million in federal funds to rebuild Delaware beaches.
Gov. Jack Markell, Sen. Tom Carper, Sen. Chris Coons, Rep. John Carney and several locally elected politicians were on hand for the announcement April 30 at the Indian River Inlet bridge.
Under the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received federal funding to restore Delaware beaches to their original design profiles. Nearly 2 million cubic yards of sand will be pumped onto the beaches along Delaware's coastline.
“Delaware is one of the most proactive states in the nation in completing ocean beach nourishment projects,” said Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara. “Our successful projects have demonstrated that advance preparation pays off. These beach nourishment projects will bring Delaware’s ocean coastline back to the level of protection from floods and storms we had prior to Superstorm Sandy.”
The project to restore the beach and dune north of the Indian River Inlet and be maintained by a sand bypass system. Beach nourishment will also take place in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany and Fenwick Island, where the Army Corps will restore the beach and dunes, plant dune grass and repair beach crossovers.
Read the full story in the Friday, May 3 edition of the Cape Gazette.
