DER's Tidal Restoration Preliminary Field Investigations

DER's Wetlands Restoration Program works to restore wetlands throughout Massachusetts. Through DER's Tidal Restoration Preliminary Field Investigations, DER supports partners to identify opportunities to restore coastal wetlands by removing barriers to tidal flow. 

Tidal restrictions, such as undersized culverts, dams, berms, or rock walls, can degrade ecosystem health and cause flood risks for coastal communities. Restoring tidal flow can improve water quality, restore salt marsh, fish, and shellfish habitat, improve fish passage, increase coastal resilience, reduce erosion, and enhance outdoor recreation. 

DER's Tidal Restoration Preliminary Field Investigations Opportunity seeks applications for potential tidal restoration projects in the Narragansett Bay Estuary Region in Massachusetts. These studies, contracted and managed by DER, will help landowners and partners assess opportunities and constraints of potential projects and inform future planning in an area where the Commonwealth lacks data on restoration and resilience opportunities. DER is interested in projects that are at an early stage of development and/or decision making. Selected projects are eligible to receive technical assistance from DER staff and DER-led contracted technical services from qualified vendors.