Derek Slap

WEST HARTFORD DELEGATION WELCOMES STATE GRANT TO SUPPORT FLOOD RESILIENCE PLANNING

With significant flooding seen in parts of town regularly in recent years, and with knowledge that extreme weather remains a threat in the future, West Hartford’s delegation of elected officials this week welcomed the town receiving a $700,000 grant to aid its development of climate resiliency plans. The grant will be used to support engineering studies and preliminary designs for flood reduction studies.

“Connecticut is already playing a leading role in addressing the challenge of climate change because making those investments means healthier people and a healthier environment, as well as new business opportunities,” Governor Ned Lamont said. “Planning for climate resilience requires preserving and protecting what we love about this state so that we can continue to be a great place for families with clean air and water and thriving communities.”

“Flooding in West Hartford and Hartford has long been known to be damaging, especially for the constant headaches it gives homeowners,” said State Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford). “I’m thankful to the Governor and DEEP for investing in our communities. With these studies, we can better ensure the resiliency of West Hartford and Hartford for years to come.”

“Flooding is a recurring issue in West Hartford and each time it happens our overall infrastructure is weakened,” State Representative Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford) said. “This funding will help to mitigate flooding, providing much needed relief to our effected neighborhoods and residents.”

“I’m pleased that West Hartford was awarded this grant to support the engineering plans our town needs for flood reduction efforts,” said State Representative Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford). “This funding is an important step to address the impact of floods in our community – an all too often occurrence – and protect our residents and infrastructure.”

“Any effort that goes to mitigate building a new stormwater infrastructure and reducing issues of infiltration and inflow in West Hartford, also supports Hartford. Stormwater from West Hartford causes surcharges into Hartford’s sanitary system and flooding into certain neighborhoods in the Capitol City. I fully support all funding to tackle this issue head on,” said State Representative James Sánchez (Hartford, West Hartford).

“Because of climate change, there has been a rapid increase in unprecedented natural disasters, including heavy rain. This funding will help the Town of West Hartford develop a strategy to combat flooding moving forward,” said State Representative Bobby Gibson (D-West Hartford, Bloomfield).

“This grant funding is critical to assist in the necessary planning that will protect our community from the effects of flooding due to climate-related extreme weather,” said State Representative Tammy Exum (D-West Hartford, Avon).

The Governor’s Office and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection announced the release of $8.8 million in state funding to support climate resiliency plans and project development grants, crucial as it said projections for Connecticut indicate the state will experience stronger storms, more frequent droughts, rising sea levels and increased flooding in the next 27 years.

The Town of West Hartford will receive $700,000 in resilience project development grants, which will be used to lead engineering studies and preliminary designs for reducing flooding near Kennedy Brook and Kane Brook in West Hartford and Hartford. The plans will be conducted in partnership with Resilient Connecticut.

During significant rainstorms, parts of Hartford and West Hartford see regular flooding, an issue that remains troublesome for many homeowners. These studies and designs are hoped to help mitigate this issue.