CONNECTICUT DELEGATION APPLAUDS RELEASE OF $6 MILLION IN EMERGENCY DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS FOR PARKS, PUBLIC LANDS AND REFUGES DAMAGED BY SANDY

(Washington, DC)– The Connecticut Congressional delegation today issued a statementapplauding the announcement that Connecticut will receive over $6 million inemergency disaster relief funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior torepair and rebuild parks, public lands and refuges damaged by Superstorm Sandy.Connecticut will also receive a share of $12.7 million in additional funds thatwill aid restoration projects in multiple states impacted by Sandy. Fundsinclude $5 million for the preservation and restoration of historic propertiesdamaged during the storm, as well as over $1 million to remove debris andrestore safe public access to the McKinney National Wildlife Refuge.

"These Department ofInterior funds will go a long way towards restoring and repairing vital publicparks and sites damaged by Superstorm Sandy. Our public parks and historicsites are treasures that should be restored and protected from future damage sothat generations to come can continue to enjoy them. As storms like Sandybecome more frequent, we will continue to advocate for additional funds toensure that communities, businesses and families have the aid they need to notonly recover from disasters like Sandy, but to rebuild in ways that make futuredamage less likely," the delegation stated.