The Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge has received $3.13 million for a project to manage water levels in the swamp.
The money will be used to replace and install water control structures in order to improve flood control, fire suppression, and wildlife habitat management.
The project is one of 45 totaling $162 million announced October 24 by Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell.
The Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2013 (Public Law 113-2) provided appropriations to the Department of the Interior to address needs related to response, recovery and mitigation of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.
According to Refuge Manager Chris Lowie, “The goal of the project is to increase our water management capability for the good of wildlife and people. Specifically, the project will install or replace 15 new water control structures to slow drainage of the swamp and raise the water table.”
