WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) announced the inclusion of $17.4 million for Connecticut Congressionally Directed Spending projects in the Fiscal Year 2024 Interior and Homeland Security Appropriations bills.

Committee passage is the first step in the process, and funding will only be made available when the bill is passed by Congress and signed into law. Murphy and Blumenthal are committed to pushing for passage and ensuring Connecticut priorities are reflected in the final spending package.

“Connecticut is home to so many historic institutions, and I’m proud to have fought for the inclusion of funding to support the Mark Twain House, the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, and Mystic Seaport. This bill will also fund important ocean conservation efforts and provide millions to improve access to reliably safe, clean water,” said Murphy. “Hartford’s aging water infrastructure has struggled to keep up with periods of heavy rain, causing flooding in city streets and in homes. The Homeland Security budget includes $4.5 million to address this problem and improve the city’s storm water drainage system.”

“These projects will help pave the way for improved water quality and wastewater infrastructure in towns across Connecticut. I am especially proud to have advocated for the inclusion of $4.5 million to address flooding in Hartford’s North End – an issue that is plaguing residents and has caused significant damage to many homes. I will continue to push for inclusion of these funds in the final budget,” said Blumenthal.

Connecticut projects in the Committee-passed Fiscal Year 2024 Interior Appropriations bill include:

  • $1 million for the Town of Sprague to upgrade its water pollution control facility 
  • $1.5 million for the City of Bridgeport to contribute to design costs for the West Side Wastewater Treatment plant project 
  • $3.422 million for a sewer siphon relocation project associated with the Kinneytown Dam removal 
  • $3.24 million to repair a dike leak at the Merimere Public Drinking Water Supply Reservoir in Meriden 
  • $500,000 for energy efficiency and climate control upgrades at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, a historic building in Old Lyme
  • $487,000 for upgrades to the Mark Twain House that support preservation of its collections
  • $251,000 for Mystic Seaport to preserve a nationally significant historic watercraft collection 
  • $500,000 for renovations at the Congregational Church of Thompson, a nationally recognized historic building
  • $2 million for the Sea Research Foundation to complete a project to support threatened and endangered species conservation efforts  

Connecticut projects in the Committee-passed Fiscal Year 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill include:

  • $4.5 million for the City of Hartford’s North Main Street Corridor Drainage System to improve storm water drainage systems in the northeast Hartford

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