Presque Isle State Park will receive $1.5 million in federal funding for critical shoreline protection efforts, according to an announcement from U.S. Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick, along with U.S. Representative Mike Kelly.
The funding was secured following bipartisan efforts by federal, state, and local officials to ensure continued sand replenishment at the Erie landmark. Senator Fetterman also worked directly with Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW)) Adam Telle to identify available funding for the project.
Presque Isle’s shoreline requires ongoing maintenance to combat erosion that threatens navigation, infrastructure, recreation, and the peninsula’s ecosystem. Since 1993, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Buffalo District has placed more than 1.4 million cubic yards of sand along the harbor. Officials estimate the park needs approximately 560,000 tons of additional sand each year to maintain the shoreline.
Annual replenishment funding is typically shared between the state and federal governments.
“I’m 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,” Fetterman said. “Presque Isle is an iconic Pennsylvania destination that my family and I have the pleasure of visiting often. It’s 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.”
McCormick stated that the funding will help preserve public access while protecting one of Pennsylvania’s most popular natural attractions.
“This investment will help protect the shoreline, preserve public access, and ensure Presque Isle — a Pennsylvania treasure — continues to drive economic growth and attract visitors to Northwest PA,” Senator McCormick said.
Kelly noted that he led a bipartisan letter in February alongside Senators Fetterman and McCormick and several state lawmakers urging federal officials to provide funding for the project.
“In 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’s economy,” Kelly said. “Today, I’m proud to join my Senate colleagues to announce this year’s funding has been secured.”
The bipartisan letter was also signed by state Sen. Dan Laughlin and state Representatives Pat Harkins, Bob Merski, Ryan Bizzarro, and Jake Banta. The group emphasized the importance of federal participation in covering half of the approximately $3 million needed for annual sand replenishment efforts.
In the letter, lawmakers described sand replenishment as a proven and cost-effective method for protecting public infrastructure, enhancing shoreline resilience, and supporting economic growth throughout the Great Lakes region.
Officials expect the $1.5 million in federal funds to be released within the next few weeks, allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remain on schedule for shoreline work planned later this summer.