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Council approves Long Island Sound Futures grant-backed Alewife Cove restoration plan with local match
Summary
The council approved a $530,000 Alewife Cove restoration project funded primarily by a $400,000 Long Island Sound Futures Fund grant, with matching contributions from New London, Waterford and partners to study and plan dredge and habitat restoration work.
The New London City Council voted to approve a restoration study and related work at Alewife (Awl) Cove, backing a $530,000 project that the mayor’s office said is led by the city as grant applicant in partnership with the town of Waterford and the Alewife Cove Conservancy.
City staff described the funding breakdown during the Dec. 2 meeting: approximately $400,000 from the Long Island Sound Futures Fund grant, $50,000 from the city (drawn from an existing fiscal 2025 budget match line), $50,000 from Waterford, $5,000 from the Alewife Cove Conservancy and $25,000 in-kind contributions. Director Lanzofamy explained the work will produce modeling and a surgical plan to remove or relocate material that has accumulated in the cove, characterize sediments and seek to restore tidal flow that could allow alewife to return.
Why it matters: The work addresses water-quality and habitat issues in a local estuarine area; modeling and sediment characterization are preparatory steps before any removal or dredging. The project also leverages regional grant funding coupled with municipal matches.
Council discussion and vote: Director Lanzofamy and Finance Director McBride and other staff answered questions about how the match would be funded and said the city will use approximately $49,000 of an approved $75,000 fiscal 2025 match allocation. Councilors expressed support for the environmental restoration work; a roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval (six yes votes when the clerk announced the tally).
Next steps: Staff will proceed with consultant work for modeling and sediment testing and will coordinate with project partners and the conservancy. The city will track grant expenditures and in-kind contributions as required by the grant terms.
