Construction has begun on the US$14 million resiliency project in Newfane, Niagara County, New York. The project, under the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative, will seek to mitigate the negative impacts of extreme weather conditions on the harbor entrance that was destroyed in 2019 by wind-driven waves, flooding, and sediment deposition in the navigation channel. High water levels, new sediment deposits, and wave agitation prevented safe refuge and navigation by large and small recreational watercraft. The port area includes the town of Newfane Marina, the Olcott Yacht Club, the Hedley Boat Company, McDonough Marine, and several private homes. Hence, the project will protect local businesses, boaters, and public/private real estate that play a vital role in the local economy which is based on sport fishing, and recreation.
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Resilience measures to be implemented in the New York project include the installation of an oval offshore rubble breakwater approx Preventing flooding and damage to the coastline and making shipping more accessible for longer periods of time all year round. Lake Ontario is inundated and has worked with local communities to create a new vision of the coast from a resilience and economic development perspective, to enable better and stronger rebuilding for the future.
“Following the historic flood that devastated homes, businesses, and infrastructure in Niagara county 2019, New York has led the way in providing much-needed aid to these communities with the resiliency project. Through the Economic Development and Resilience Initiative, we’re not only rebuilding coastal infrastructure, but we’re also building stronger and smarter for a more resilient future, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with this project in the town of Newfane.”
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