U.S. Congressman John B. Larson announced the House of Representatives passed legislation that includes $500,000 in federal funding to improve the Mountain Road Stream area and prevent flooding in the Historic District of Riverton.
For Immediate Release: October 7, 2009
Contact: Paul Mounds 860-278-8888
Larson: House Approves Federal Funding To Prevent Flooding in Barkhamsted
Funding provided in Appropriations Bill that will invest in the growth of our nation’s rural and agricultural communities
Washington, DC-Today, U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) announced the House of Representatives has passed legislation that includes $500,000 in federal funding for the Town of Barkhamsted to improve the Mountain Road Stream area and prevent flooding in the Historic District of Riverton.
The funding for Barkhamsted is part of broad legislation, The Agriculture Appropriations Bill that provides targeted investments in our nation’s agricultural and rural communities, including funding to conserve our national resources and improve food nutrition programs for youth.
The Senate will take up the legislation in the coming weeks, the last step before the bill is signed into law by the President.
Barkhamsted will utilize the funding to widen the riverbank as well as to make repairs to the Mountain Road and Old Riverton Inn culverts. The Mountain River Stream runs from People’s State Forest in the Pleasant Valley section of Barkhamsted to the Farmington River.
“Last year, destructive rainstorms caused the Mountain Road Stream to flood, damaging local farmlands and nearly caving in a road,” said Congressman Larson. “This funding will make the necessary repairs to the stream and prevent future flooding that can have a serious toll for the residents, small businesses and the local environment in Riverton.”
Earlier this year, Congressman Larson spoke with Barkhamsted First Selectman Don Stein on the need for federal assistance to address the infrastructure and public safety concerns caused by the flooding of the Mountain River Stream.
“I would also like to thank First Selectman Don Stein for his leadership and hard work on this issue.”
The Village of Riverton, located on the Farmington and Still Rivers, and the Farmington River have federal designation from the U.S. Department of Interior. Riverton is on the Federal Register of Historic Places and the Farmington River is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River.
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