WASHINGTON, DC To help restore and protect Rhode Island's salt marshes and coastal habitat, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will direct nearly $2.7 million in federal funding for water restoration projects throughout the state.The Army Corps of Engineers' annual operating plan contains federal funding for initiatives in South County and the East Bay, including over $2 million for restoration of Boyd's Marsh in Portsmouth. Funding for these programs is provided through the continuing resolution that Congress passed last month which Reed and Kennedy supported."I am pleased to have worked with Congressman Kennedy to secure this funding to restore Rhode Island's coastal habitat and salt marshes and safely remove dredged material," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. "The Boyd's Marsh project will help return the pond to its natural state, alleviate coastal erosion and improve public access to the shoreline.""Protecting our environment is paramount to protecting the quality of life for all Rhode Islanders," said Kennedy. "I join my colleague, Senator Jack Reed, in affirming the need to invest in our most spectacular natural resources. Taking care of our waterways means more than maintaining the status quo, it means making a strong investment in the future health of our ecosystems."A list of projects follows:Boyd's Marsh (Town Pond) and Salt Marsh Restoration: $2,040,000PortsmouthIn the Corps' fiscal year 2007 plan, over $2 million will be directed toward the completion of construction of the Boyd's Marsh restoration project. The project will restore 20 acres of salt pond and salt marsh habitat in a wildlife sanctuary at the pond by removing dredged material associated with a federal navigation project. The Corps has worked in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) to complete engineering, permitting, and real estate work for the project.For more information contact: Grover Fugate, Coastal Resources Management Council, (401) 783-7112.Ten Mile River Fisheries Restoration: $52,000 The Corps will receive $52,000 to complete the project design for fisheries restoration in the Ten Mile River which runs in eastern Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The construction of dams on over the last 200 years along the river has prevented fish passage to upstream spawning habitat. Restoring the fish run to the lower Ten Mile River would provide a wide range of benefits to the freshwater and marine fishery and to the surrounding communities. The Army Corps of Engineers has worked with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to finalize a feasibility report for the project. The federal funds would be used to complete design for projects identified in the report, including the construction of fishways or dam removal.Reed and Kennedy secured $250,000 for the project in 2006. For more information contact: Grover Fugate, Coastal Resources Management Council, (401) 783-7112.Allin's Cove Environmental Restoration: $6,000BarringtonThe Corps will direct $6,000 to continue the restoration of degraded coastal wetlands at Allins Cove in Barrington. This project will restore coastal habitat and saltmarsh by improving tidal flushing through removal of dredged material associated with a Federal navigation project.Reed and Kennedy have secured $704,000 in funding since 2004. For more information contact: Grover Fugate, Coastal Resources Management Council, (401) 783-7112Bullocks Point Cove Federal Navigation Project Maintenance Dredging: $600,000East Providence/BarringtonThe Corps will receive $600,000 for the removal of 50,000 cubic yards of dredged material in order to return the cove to its original dimensions. Sediment will be disposed of in Confined Aquatic Disposal (CAD) cells which have been constructed as part of the Providence River dredging project to safely dispose of debris.Since 2005, Reed and Kennedy have secured $880,000 for the project. For more information contact: For more information contact: Grover Fugate, Coastal Resources Management Council, (401) 783-7112- end -