Delaware Beaches Get $30M in Federal Funding

Delaware is getting up to $30 million in federal funding to repair and renourish the state’s southern beaches.

Officials said Tuesday that the money will be used to restore Delaware’s ocean beaches to the conditions that existed before Superstorm Sandy struck six months ago and to their original design profiles.

The Army Corps of Engineers projects include building up dunes and beaches, planting beach grass, and expanding and filling the beach on the north side of the Indian River inlet.

Officials said the projects, which will cover communities stretching from Lewes to Fenwick Island, will be totally federally funded, with no state match required.

Some 2.3 million cubic yards of sand needed for the projects will be dredged from in and around the inlet, resulting in improved navigation for vessels.