SCHUMER SECURES OVER $10 MILLION FOR CRITICAL CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS; FROM REPAIRING HARBORS TO PROVIDING SAFE DRINKING WATER, SCHUMER SECURED MILLIONS WILL SHORE UP FLOOD PROTECTION, JOLT LOCAL ECONOMY, & BOOST ONE OF WESTERN NEW YORK’S GREATEST ECONOMIC ENGINES

In First Omnibus As Majority Leader, Schumer Delivers BIG For Chautauqua County And WNY Supporting Essential Community And Long Overdue Harbor Upgrades To Safeguard Continued Access The Great Lakes

Senator Secures Millions To Fund Essential Repairs & Dredge Harbors To Remove Years Of Sediment Build Up; Ensuring Harbors Remain Navigable For Boats, Boosting Flood Prevention, & Protecting Vital Summer Tourism Industry

Schumer: Clear Waters And Full Steam Ahead For Chautauqua County Infrastructure Projects

With the waters of the Dunkirk Harbor at his back, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced that he has secured over $10 million for critical local infrastructure projects in Chautauqua County. Schumer said that this funding, secured as a part of the Fiscal Year 2022 omnibus, includes over $8 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to dredge and study-design essential breakwater improvements for Western New York harbors, and $2 million for the Village of Mayville to replace a contaminated well so that residents can have access to safe clean water. The senator said that these projects will both boost residents by finally providing the support needed for these long overdue infrastructure improvements, but also protect the tourism, jobs, and the economy of the Chautauqua communities and surrounding Western New York region, which rely on the harbors especially in the upcoming summer months.

“With this funding in hand Chautauqua County is ready to set sail on these critical infrastructure repairs to preserve the long term stability of Western New York’s harbors and ensure our residents have the continue access to clean safe drinking water they deserve,” said Senator Schumer. “The millions in funding I secured in the omnibus for projects from Dunkirk to Barcelona Harbor will help locals breathe easier with added flooded protection and allow the full potential of the harbor to flow both for business, tourism, and recreation. In tandem with the significant funding I worked to secure through the bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law, I say it is full steam ahead for Chautauqua County!”

“Our water infrastructure is critical to the long-term economic stability of Chautauqua County,”said County Executive PJ Wendel. “Whether it is our recreation and commercial harbors or our drinking water infrastructure, we must take whatever steps are necessary to protect these resources so that we can continue to grow and attract new visitors and businesses. I want to thanks Senator Schumer and Congressman Reed for fighting so hard for these requests and look forward to seeing these dollars put to work.”

“I want to thank Senator Schumer for his commitment to the City of Dunkirk and for delivering the funding to help restore the harbor,” said Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas . The impact of severe storms in recent years has been devastating to the area of our city that has the most potential, and this significant funding will give the Army Corps of Engineers the tools it needs to finally tackle the lingering issues at our beloved harbor.”

“Barcelona Harbor is a regional asset, not just vital to the economic health of the Town of Westfield,” said Martha Bills, Westfield Town Supervisor. “I want to thank Senator Schumer and our congressional delegation for securing this funding and look forward to working with them and the US Army Corps of Engineers to tackle the many issues the harbor is facing.”

Specifically, Schumer said that the USACE funding would go towards $5,930,000 for dredging and breakwater repairs to the Dunkirk Harbor, $1,150,000 for dredging Barcelona Harbor, and $1,000,000 for dredging the Cattaraugus Creek Harbor. The senator said that this funding will help address many of the problems at the Barcelona, Dunkirk, and Cattaraugus Creek Harbors after years of record high water levels and sediment build up which has made it so watercraft cannot enter some areas of the harbors and jeopardized the vibrant summer tourism season.

In addition, Schumer said the $2,000,000 for the Village of Mayville will construct a new water well, replacing existing contaminated wells to ensure that residents have continued access to safe clean water. Mayville, which in the 1990’s was routinely rated as the home of some of New York’s best drinking water, has faced problems following accidental contamination of its drinking water infrastructure. The senator said that this funding would enable the village to revitalize the water system and once again reliably deliver safe and clean water to its residents.

This funding comes on the heels of Schumer delivering $4 billion for Army Corps of Engineers operations & maintenance projects—like dredging and restoring breakwaters—in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The IIJA also delivered over $428 million for New York’s Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) for 2022. SRFs provide below-market rate loans and grants to fund water infrastructure improvements. Importantly, Schumer fought for a lower state cost share for the early years of this funding and for 49% of the money to be administered as grants and completely forgivable loans, ensuring New Yorkers can get the most out of this funding.

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