NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro is trying to get $10 million in federal funds for New Haven Harbor dredging, saying the need to maintain the harbor channel has been heightened by Superstorm Sandy and tropical storm Irene last year.

The New Haven Register reports (http://bit.ly/SKZfbx ) DeLauro wrote a letter urging the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to include funding for New Haven harbor maintenance in next year’s budget.

DeLauro says New Haven Harbor was last dredged in 2004 and the storms have significantly degraded the shipping channels.

DeLauro says the port of New Haven is critical to Connecticut’s economy as the state’s largest port and to the region as the third largest port in New England.

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