Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
April 01, 2022
**Shaheen & Hassan Were Lead Negotiators of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Steered Bipartisan Talks on Water & Dams Infrastructure**
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), along with Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01), announced that New Hampshire will receive $2,390,000 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding through the bipartisan infrastructure law to support important Army Corps of Engineers projects, including repairs to dams that play a key role in New Hampshire’s water infrastructure. This funding is on top of an earlier $1.6 million from the bipartisan infrastructure law announced in January to support Army Corps projects in New Hampshire, and this new funding also supplements the over $7 million from the Consolidated Appropriations Act to support the Army Corps in New Hampshire.
“I’m thrilled to see funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law I helped lead in action. Ensuring our dams operate efficiently and safely helps the Granite State stay strong,” said Senator Shaheen. “These updates will create jobs, maintain and strengthen key flood protections and support the vital operations of the U.S. Army Corps within New Hampshire. From the Blackwater Dam to the Otter Brook Lake, these investments will make a difference for local communities.”
“Water infrastructure plays a critical role in our economy and our environment, which is why I led efforts to significantly invest in them during bipartisan infrastructure law negotiations,” said Senator Hassan. “This important funding will help make vital updates to our dams, rivers, and lakes, and builds on our efforts to improve New Hampshire’s waterways and help our communities thrive.”
“Our Granite State water infrastructure plays a critical role in our economy and our communities,” said Representative Kuster. “These federal resources from the bipartisan infrastructure law will bolster waterways and dams throughout our state and ensure they are operating safely for generations to come. I will continue working to deliver results for New Hampshire.”
“These additional funds for Army Corps projects will make critical investments in New Hampshire’s water infrastructure, improving the safety and reliability of our waterways,” said Rep. Pappas, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “I will continue fighting for continued investment in projects such as these that create good-paying jobs in our communities, strengthen our local economies, and ensure the safety of New Hampshire’s infrastructure.”
This funding will go toward the following projects:
- $450,000 for concrete repairs at the Blackwater Dam;
- $1,140,000 to repave Everett Dam Roadway and Everett Project Office parking and design concrete repairs for Everett Dam;
- $500,000 to pave Davis Road at the Otter Brook Lake; and
- $300,000 to replace the emergency generator at the Surry Mountain Dam.
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen helps secure annual funding for the Army Corps of Engineers to complete necessary infrastructure projects in New Hampshire and across the country. Senator Hassan led the successful efforts to secure funding for dams and waterways in the bipartisan infrastructure law. In January, the New Hampshire delegation announced $1.6 million from bipartisan infrastructure law to strengthen supply chains and improve dredging operations on the Seacoast through the Army Corps of Engineers. The Senators recently visited Portsmouth’s Port Authority to discuss this funding and receive an update on ongoing projects. The Army Corps completed key New Hampshire projects that Shaheen previously championed, including dredging Rye and Hampton-Seabrook Harbors. Last year, Shaheen secured $18.2 million for the Portsmouth Harbor and Piscataqua River navigation improvement project in the Corps 2021 work plan.
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