WRP offers two sources of funding to advance restoration projects: 1) Technical Assistance provided directly by WRP through contracts with pre-qualified consultants, and 2) Wetland Restoration Grants provided by WRP to project sponsors. Only designated Priority Projects are eligible to receive WRP funding assistance. Questions regarding these opportunities should be directed to Hunt Durey, WRP Manager, at (617) 626-1245 / hunt.durey@state.ma.us. The two funding opportunities are summarized below.

WRP Technical Assistance

WRP offers a very broad range of technical services that assess restoration needs, costs, and feasibility, and help advance projects to the point where they are ready for construction. Example services include data acquisition, habitat assessments, and development of construction designs and specifications. Post-construction monitoring may also be provided through this funding source. The amount of funding available is determined at the beginning of each fiscal year. Services are provided by WRP based on many factors including availability of resources and relative priority of project needs. To view an example list of technical services offered, click here.

Technical Assistance Numbers

FY04 Funding Awarded: $255,000 to 11 Projects

FY05 Funding Awarded: $325,000 to 16 Projects

FY06 Funding Awarded: $400,000 to 19 Projects

FY07 Funding Awarded: $400,000 to 17 Projects

Wetland Restoration Grants

Through a competitive solicitation offered annually each Fall, WRP provides grants to sponsors of Priority Projects for implementation of construction-related activities and post-construction monitoring. The grant program is open to any Massachusetts public or 501(c)(3) certified non-profit organization, including, but not limited to: state agencies, cities and towns, regional planning agencies, watershed organizations, and public schools. To be eligible, grants must implement one or both of the following wetland restoration components at Priority Project sites:

• Actual execution of construction and construction-related activities. Examples include: removal of undersized or failed culverts, installation of coffer dams, fabrication of culverts, site preparation, installation of culverts, removal of fill material, grading and manipulation of marsh topography, construction designs and bid specifications, permits for construction, construction oversight, and propagation and planting of native vegetation. This does not include project identification, assessment, or feasibility activities.
• Pre- or post-construction monitoring of wetland restoration sites. This component focuses on the acquisition and analysis of data that will be used to document and evaluate the effectiveness of restoration actions. Examples of monitoring parameters include plant, nekton, avifauna, soils, and water chemistry surveys and sampling to record baseline (pre-construction) and post-restoration conditions.

Grant Program Numbers

FY05 Funding Awarded: $100,000 for 7 Projects

FY06 Funding: $200,000 for 8 Projects

FY07 Funding: $200,000 for 8 Projects