The Stratford, Connecticut Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) feasibility study is being led by the USACE New England District in partnership with the Town of Stratford, the non-Federal sponsor, to address flood impacts resulting from coastal inundation, erosion, and sea level rise in Stratford. Stratford has 18 miles of coastline along Long Island Sound and the estuary of the Housatonic River. Substantial portions of the town are located in the floodplain and are susceptible to coastal storm surge and wave impacts from tropical storms (hurricanes) and extra-tropical storms (nor’easters), riverine flooding from the Housatonic River, and sea level rise. The study will consider existing town, state, and federal plans and formulate CSRM plans to manage coastal storm risk. CSRM plans may include structural measures like levees, floodwalls, or raising of road embankments, nonstructural measures like home elevations, floodproofing, and acquisition, and nature-based solutions like beach/dune renourishment and wetland restoration. The study will result in a recommended plan to manage coastal storm risk in the town that may include construction.

The study is in the scoping phase and will work to completion of an integrated Feasibility Report with a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document to document the study process and evaluate the environmental, economic, and social impacts of any proposed actions. The study is authorized by Section 8201 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 (Public Law 117-263) and received funding in 2024 to initiate and execute the study.