Water Resources Development Act of 2016

Floor Speech

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Mr. COURTNEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This is a simple amendment that adds to the list of projects deauthorized through WRDA a stone breakwater in Stonington Harbor in Stonington, Connecticut.

If the amendment passes, it will return the breakwater to the town of Stonington. I can report confidently that all the stakeholders in that region, the town of Stonington, and the State of Connecticut strongly support this amendment.

It is a breakwater that was built in 1827, operated for a number of years; but in the mid-20th century, the Army Corps abandoned the wharf, and it has really deteriorated since as a result of storms, Hurricanes Donna and Gloria and Superstorm Sandy. The town created an Old Stonington Harbor Wharf/Breakwater Task Force, which, again, has put together a reconstruction plan. It has received funding from the State of Connecticut. All of this is on standby, subject to deauthorization, which the Army Corps tells us is necessary for legal title to switch.

Again, it is a simple amendment. I want to, again, salute the hard work of the task force, which was headed by Peter Tacy; the First Selectman of Stonington, Rob Simmons, who was my predecessor in the Second Congressional District seat; and also to State senator Andy Maynard, who worked hard on this project and is retiring from the Connecticut General Assembly.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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