07/21/26 Flood Protection Climate Resilience & Erosion Control Board

The Town of Fairfield Connecticut Flood Protection Climate Resilience & Erosion Control Board held a meeting on July 21, 2026, focusing extensively on flood mitigation strategies, coastal resilience planning, and erosion control measures. Key procurement-related discussions included updates on capital improvement projects such as detention projects at Fairfield, Wheeler, and Hill, with bid openings underway and contractor selections pending, aiming for contract awards at the August 5 Board of Selectmen meeting. The board reviewed proposed 10% concept-level designs for various flood control measures including walls, berms, and deployable barriers across multiple vulnerable locations, emphasizing the need for cost estimates and design budgets to support grant applications and future construction. They also discussed coordination with developers for flood mitigation in new developments and the importance of engaging regulatory bodies like the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to align on bulkhead elevation standards and safety concerns. Action items included finalizing comments on inland and coastal strategies by early August, preparing materials for an upcoming DEEP meeting, and continuing data collection on housing elevations to inform economic loss analyses. The meeting underscored the urgency of addressing increasing flood risks due to climate change and the need for timely procurement and implementation of protective infrastructure.