Municipalities in Connecticut are now able to establish funds to help combat the coastal impact of climate change, under a new state law.
The reserve funds cover property losses, capital projects and land acquisitions.
David Sutherland is with The Nature Conservancy’s Connecticut chapter. He says the Northwest Atlantic coast has had some of the largest increases in the rate of sea level rise on the planet.
“Storm Sandy and Irene--as damaging as they were back in 2011, 2012--only gave us a hint of what a major coastal storm could do, or a hurricane, and it’s just vital that we prepare for that type of event as much as we can before it hits.”
Planned projects in several towns and cities statewide include bolstering coastal dunes, restoring tidal wetlands and replacing outdated culverts. Those measures reduce flooding and erosion.
