A big step in what could eventually lead to measures to control the flood-prone Byram River has passed the U.S. Senate.
The Senate, with the support of two of its members from Connecticut, Joseph Lieberman and Chris Dodd, approved $100,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the river.
Jo Conboy, a resident who has been pushing a study of the Byram River for years, said she was thrilled with the decision, which came late last month.
"We feel this is great. It is a step in the right direction," said Conboy, who is president of Save Our Shores, an organization formed in 1997 to deal with concerns about water pollution in Byram. She has been part of a group urging a study of the river after serious flooding occurred in the spring of 2007.
She cautioned, though, that the funding still needs the approval of the House of Representatives, but said U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., has been a strong supporter of the project.
Thursday, Himes issued a statement backing the effort.
"Flooding wreaks havoc on local property and destroys economic development opportunities," Himes said. "We are finally moving forward to give property and business owners some security and relief. This issue has been a high priority of mine, and I will continue to fight for federal resources for areas of the 4th District most affected by flooding."
Approval must come from the House of Representatives'Appropriations Committee, said Denise Savageau, the town's conservation director.
Indications are positive that the town will get the money, she said. That approval at the House level got a boost after the House Energy & Water Appropriations Subcommittee gave its blessing to a $200,000 request.....
Source:
http://www.greenwichtime.com/default/article/Senate-approves-money-for-Byram-River-study-613920.php
