$10M secured for Indian River Inlet work

Sen. Tom Carper, chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee in the U.S. Senate, announced Sept. 19, that he has secured $10 million in federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for the beach replenishment project north of the Indian River Inlet bridge, which has seen two dune breaches this year that cut off access to the bridge.

“I am glad to work with our state and federal partners to help secure this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Carper. “Maintenance of the north and south shores of the inlet is a critical component of the storm management systems that protect state Route 1 and the bridge from extreme weather and other impacts of climate change. This funding will help Delaware and the Army Corps of Engineers implement a long-term plan to secure the dunes and protect the infrastructure surrounding the Indian River Inlet bridge.” 

Carper also authored provisions that were enacted by the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 that was signed into law by President Joe Biden in December 2022 to directly help the Indian River Inlet.

These provisions:

• Extend the current period of federal assistance for the operation of the sand bypass plant to 2034. The bill also creates a path to authorize an additional 50 years of assistance, extending federal support for the project to 2084
• Direct the Army Corps of Engineers to renourish the state beach north of the Indian River Inlet, when the sand bypass plant is not operating or operation is insufficient. This work would be similar to the practice for renourishing other beaches in Delaware
• Address recreational facility damage caused by a lack of Army Corps maintenance at the Indian River Inlet by directing the Army Corps to repair the damaged sidewalk, gazebo and other public facilities. 

Last week, Gov. John Carney announced the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Delaware Department of Transportation will perform emergency repairs to strengthen the dunes.

“It’s critically important that we strengthen the area around the Indian River Inlet to protect the communities, businesses and recreation that thrives in the region,” said Carney. “The state invested last week to start the work, but today’s announcement is an important next step in sustaining the project. I’m grateful to the Army Corps of Engineers and to Sen. Carper for securing additional funding to help with this important work. It will make a huge difference.”

“This $10 million federal investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will support our ongoing efforts to protect the coastline north of the Indian River Inlet bridge,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “Since the latest dune breach, our DNREC employees have been tirelessly working to rebuild dunes, add sand and remove debris. While the state is moving forward now with a significant replenishment project, this federal funding, combined with state funding, will help us continue these emergency efforts and ensure the long-term resilience of our beaches. We appreciate the support from our congressional delegation, especially U.S. Sen. Carper, as we will continue to rely on federal assistance for future measures.”

“I’m pleased to work with Sen. Carper, my colleagues in Delaware and DNREC to protect and restore the Indian River Inlet,” said Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes. “My office and those of state Sen. [Gerald] Hocker, state Rep. [Pete] Schwartzkopf and state Rep. [Ronald] Gray will continue to work together to secure any additional state funding needed and we look forward to a continued partnership between the state and federal governments to protect our beaches and public infrastructure.”