TIVERTON, RI — U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Congressman Gabe Amo today announced $1.4 million in federal assistance to help pay for closing the Tiverton landfill, the last municipally-owned landfill in the State of Rhode Island. The lawmakers welcomed the transfer of federal funds this week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development office to the Town of Tiverton.
Originally slated for closure in 2020, the landfill closure was delayed due to Covid-19. In 2022, the town was forced to use the landfill again for storm debris cleanup due to severe winter storms, leading to further delays.
However, because of the storm impacts and related federal disaster declaration (DR 4653 RI), the Town was eligible to apply for assistance through USDA’s Rural Utilities Service Disaster Water Grants program.
Reed, Whitehouse, and Congressman Gabe Amo worked closely with the Town of Tiverton for years to ensure the federal government provided funding to perform the capping of the Tiverton landfill. After helping to determine the project’s eligibility through the disaster program, the federal delegation worked to connect the Town to technical assistance resources that could assist with the Town’s successful application to the agency.
“This was a long time coming and I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues to ensure the federal government reimbursed Tiverton for all eligible costs in closing the landfill,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “I appreciate the hard work and dedication of the Town and USDA staff who assisted in completing this project.”
“We were pleased to support this federal funding, which helps make the town of Tiverton whole for its storm recovery efforts and the successful capping of the state’s last municipal landfill,” said Senator Whitehouse.
“Improving Rhode Island’s resilience is a key priority of mine in Congress,” saidCongressman Gabe Amo. “I’m grateful that I was able to work with my colleagues in the Senate to secure Federal funds for the Town of Tiverton, allowing the town to complete its landfill cleanup and closure and protecting Rhode Island’s waterways and soil for generations to come.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the efforts of our USDA partners and the strong support of Senators Reed, Whitehouse, and Congressman Amo in finally moving this project past the goalposts and scoring a touchdown for the citizens of Tiverton,” said Tiverton Town Administrator Patrick Jones.
Capping of the nearly 40-acre Tiverton Landfill with soil and turf cost the Town of Tiverton roughly $11.4 million and took about a year and a half to complete. J.H Lynch & Sons Inc. performed the work, which included earthmoving, stormwater improvements, groundwater monitoring well modifications, access road construction, and landscaping restoration.
The landfill has now been converted into green open space for future possible use by the Town.
