{"id":4133,"date":"2026-06-16T11:02:57","modified":"2026-06-16T11:02:58","slug":"senators-fetterman-mccormick-rep-kelly-announce-1-5-million-in-funding-for-presque-isle-state-park","link":"https:\/\/www.fetterman.senate.gov\/senators-fetterman-mccormick-rep-kelly-announce-1-5-million-in-funding-for-presque-isle-state-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Senators Fetterman, McCormick, Rep. Kelly Announce $1.5 Million in Funding for Presque Isle State Park\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2014 <\/strong>Today, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Dave McCormick (R-PA), with U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), announced $1.5 million in federal funding for Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. The funding was secured following a bipartisan and joint Federal-State government <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fetterman.senate.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Presque-Isle-LOS-re-beach1.pdf\">letter<\/a>, and Senator Fetterman\u2019s personal effort with Assistant Secretary of the Army\u2013\u2013Civil Works (ASA (CW)) Adam Telle, to identify available funds for the park\u2019s shore protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District has placed over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lrd.usace.army.mil\/buffalo\/#current-projects\">1.4 million cubic yards<\/a> of sand along the harbor since 1993. Each year, Presque Isle needs an additional 560,000 tons of sand to prevent erosion that is harmful to navigation of the harbor, regional infrastructure, and the park\u2019s vibrant ecosystem. Annual funding, split between the state and federal governments, allows the park to increase sand replenishment to necessary levels for preservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m grateful Assistant Secretary Telle answered my call last week and worked to get this funding secured for Presque Isle, and for Senator McCormick, Congressman Mike Kelly, and the local and state legislators for their advocacy,\u201d <strong>said Senator Fetterman. <\/strong>\u201cPresque Isle is an iconic Pennsylvania destination that my family and I have the pleasure of visiting often. It\u2019s one of our favorite spots and everyone should be able to enjoy it. We should be doing everything we can to ensure places like Presque Isle continue to thrive environmentally and economically.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis investment will help protect the shoreline, preserve public access, and ensure Presque Isle \u2014 a Pennsylvania treasure \u2014 continues to drive economic growth and attract visitors to Northwest PA,\u201d <strong>said Senator McCormick<\/strong>. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for recognizing the importance of this project, and proud to have worked alongside Senator Fetterman, Congressman Kelly, and our state and local partners to deliver this result for Erie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn February, I led a bipartisan letter with Senators Fetterman and McCormick, and our state partners, to make it clear: funding for Presque Isle sand replenishment is imperative for the park and for Erie\u2019s economy. Today, I\u2019m proud to join my Senate colleagues to announce this year\u2019s funding has been secured. Supporting Presque Isle has been, and will continue to be, a top priority for me and my team,\u201d <strong>said Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to Senators Fetterman and McCormick, and Rep. Kelly, the letter was also signed by several state legislators including State Senator Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), State Representative Patrick Harkins (D-Erie), State Representative Robert Merski (D-Erie), House Democratic Policy Chairman Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), and State Representative Jake Banta (R-Erie). They collectively highlighted the importance of this funding with ASA (CW) Telle, urging the federal government to cover its portion of the $3 million in funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSand replenishment at Presque Isle is a proven, cost-effective approach that protects federal, state, and local investments, enhances shoreline resilience, and preserves public access to critical Great Lakes resources. This funding would directly adhere to the Corps\u2019 objectives of reducing flood and storm damage risk, supporting environmental stewardship, and promoting sustained economic growth in coastal and Great Lakes communities,\u201d <strong>wrote the members in their February letter.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To ensure the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is on track with projects for this construction season, the $1.5 million in federal funds are expected to be released in the next few weeks to keep the award on schedule for July.<\/p>\n","protected":false}}