July 7th, 2021 by WCBC Radio
An effort to rewater a portion of the C&O Canal could receive $390,000 in federal funding, reviving the project that has been idle for several years.
U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) said in a statement Tuesday the funding was part of their “first requests in a series for fiscal year 2022 to the Senate Appropriations Committee for Congressionally Directed Spending or Community Projects.”
The requests mark the first time since 2010 that the Senate has permitted projects that fall under energy and water development, like the rewatering, to be submitted. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would be the recipient of the grant, which would allow a feasibility study to move forward.
The cost of the viability study is $600,000, with the city of Cumberland contributing $210,000. City officials said in-kind work could be substituted in exchange for cash payment.
The mayor and City Council approved the study in 2019, however the effort was slowed with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
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