Conn. Gen. Stat. § 13b-55d: Small harbor improvement projects grant program.

(a) As used in this section, “small harbor” means any harbor in the state not under the authority of the Connecticut Port Authority.

(b) The Connecticut Port Authority, established under section 15-31a, shall establish a competitive grant program to be known as the small harbor improvements projects grant program. Such program shall provide funding to municipalities and private entities for small harbor improvement projects for purposes of improving the economy and infrastructure of the state. Such projects may include federal and nonfederal dredging projects in small harbors and private maritime infrastructure projects in small harbors, provided all applicable permits and authorizations are obtained before such private maritime infrastructure projects receive any such grant award. With regard to federal and nonfederal dredging projects, grants may be awarded to (1) support, in full or in part, local and state matching requirements for such projects; (2) cover the incremental costs associated with applicable environmental regulatory requirements or management practices, including beneficial use; (3) cover part or all of the costs of such projects in the absence of adequate federal funds; and (4) provide reimbursement for such projects that were approved by the authority for funding or that commenced prior to the disbursement of such funds due to time considerations that impacted the flow of commerce at such small harbor.

(c) Applications shall be submitted annually to the Connecticut Port Authority at such times and in such manner as the authority prescribes. The authority shall develop the eligibility criteria for participation in the program and determine the amount a private entity shall be required to provide to match any such grant. The authority shall give preference to applications submitted by a municipality.

(d) The Connecticut Port Authority shall establish an account to be known as the “small harbor improvement projects account”. There shall be deposited in the account: (1) The proceeds of notes, bonds or other obligations issued by the state for the purpose of deposit therein and used in accordance with the permissible uses thereof; (2) funds appropriated by the General Assembly for the purpose of deposit therein and used in accordance with the permissible uses thereof; and (3) any other funds required or permitted by law to be deposited in the account. The funds in said account shall be expended by the authority for the purpose of providing grants pursuant to the program described in subsection (b) of this section. If the account is used for the purpose described in subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of this section, the authority shall pursue reimbursement to the account from the federal government.

(e) The authority shall adopt procedures in accordance with section 1-121 to implement the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, a process for contracting for projects in small harbors under this section.