Congressman John Tierney announced that $3.5 million in federal funds will be used to make emergency repairs to the south jetty along Plum Island. The funds resulted from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, which Congressman Tierney supported and which became law in December.
“ With this $3.5 million in federal funds, the Army Corps of Engineers will be able to move forward with making emergency repairs to the south jetty and address what has been a longtime concern to area residents. For many years, I have worked closely with the Corps and key stakeholders, including Mayor Donna Holaday and other state and local elected leaders, to ensure that attention and resources have been directed to address this particular issue. I appreciate the Corps’s assistance and all its efforts to date. We will continue to stay on top of this and keep working to prevent further damage and erosion on Plum Island ,” Congressman Tierney said.
“ On behalf of the residents of Newburyport, I express my gratitude to Congressman Tierney for his continuing support and advocacy to assist us in addressing the serious erosion issues on Plum Island and the critical need to repair the jetties. This $3.5 million in funding to the Army Corps of Engineers is great news for Newburyport, Salisbury and Newbury who have developed a strong alliance to work collaboratively on issues that affect the Merrimac River communities ,” Mayor Holaday said.
“ I want to thank Congressman Tierney for his tenacious efforts on behalf of this project. We must repair and maintain the Port Island jetty, ” State Senator Steven A. Baddour said.
“ Repairs to the Plum Island jetty are a critical measure to help alleviate erosion problems on the beach and protect homeowners in the area. I want to thank Congressman Tierney and our entire federal delegation for helping to secure funding for this project. I look forward to when the Army Corps begins its work ,” State Representative Michael A. Costello said.
Tierney has previously secured federal funding to address Newburyport’s dredging priorities, and the $3.5 million announced today is expected to allow the Army Corps of Engineers to start work as early as this fall.
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Dredging Today Staff, February 9, 2012;