NH Delegation Announces $1.6 Million in FY 2022 from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Strengthen Supply Chains & Improve Dredging Operations on the Seacoast

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen, along with Representatives Annie Kuster and Chris Pappas, announced that New Hampshire will receive more than $1.6 million in FY 2022 through the Army Corps of Engineers for important improvements to the shipping channel and turning basin near Portsmouth Harbor and the Piscataqua River through the new bipartisan infrastructure law. In addition, $81,000 will be used for needed repairs to the Franklin Falls Dam and $50,000 to further investigate erosion and shoaling in the Hampton Harbor.

Senator Hassan led negotiations in the bipartisan infrastructure law for robust investments for dams and waterways. This funding helps to support the economy, ease supply chain bottlenecks, improve safety, and protect the environment.

"Investing in ports and waterways is critical to growing our economy and protecting our environment, which is why I worked to secure significant funding in the bipartisan infrastructure law that is now coming to New Hampshire," said Senator Hassan. "As our country continues to grapple with supply chain challenges brought on by the pandemic, this funding will help improve the readiness our ports, ensuring that they are open for business. Additionally, this funding makes an investment in our dams to protect the safety of Granite Staters and their communities. As we respond to the economic and environmental concerns of the 21st century, the bipartisan infrastructure law lays the foundation for making sure that New Hampshire and our country are resilient and ready for the challenges ahead."

“I’m thrilled to see funding from the historic infrastructure law I helped lead heading to the Piscataqua and Pemigewasset Rivers for essential repairs and safety improvements. This funding will make a huge difference for local communities and businesses – bolstering flood protection at the Franklin Falls Dam and supporting surveys and dredging to improve navigation around the Piscataqua River,” said Senator Shaheen. “These updates will not only strengthen the resilience of our local infrastructure, but also create jobs and ease supply chain bottlenecks in the process. I spent long nights and early mornings hammering out the details of this once-in-a-generation infrastructure package, and I’ll continue working to ensure these investments are quickly delivered to Granite State communities.”

“This critical funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go a long way to improving our water and supply chain infrastructure in the Granite State,” said Representative Kuster. “From investing in the resiliency of our seacoast to ensuring the safety of historic dams for our communities, the infrastructure package continues to deliver for New Hampshire. I was proud to get this transformative plan over the finish line and will continue working to bolster our economy and ensure Granite Staters are able to thrive.”

“It’s welcome news for New Hampshire that federal funds passed through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act are being distributed to important projects across the state,” said Representative Pappas.  “The investments announced today will create good-paying jobs in our communities, strengthen our local economies, and are targeted towards projects that will ensure the safety and efficiency of New Hampshire’s infrastructure and in particular our waterways, ports, and harbors to strengthen critical supply chains. I’ll keep fighting in Congress to ensure continued investments in our infrastructure will help our communities continue to rebuild from the ongoing pandemic.”

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen helps secure annual funding for the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to complete necessary infrastructure projects in New Hampshire and across the country. The 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. The project would widen the uppermost turning basin of the Piscataqua River from 800 feet to 1,200 feet, improving navigation safety. 

###