Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Support for Municipalities to Identify Opportunities to Restore Coastal Wetlands

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced support for Tidal Restoration Preliminary Field Investigations in three municipalities. These studies, funded and managed by Department of Fish and Game's (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), help communities identify opportunities to restore coastal wetlands by removing barriers to tidal flow. The studies will help municipalities address future flooding, restore wildlife habitat, and improve public safety. 

"Healthy coastal wetlands protect communities from flooding, improve water quality, and support wildlife," said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "These studies will help identify opportunities to restore these important ecosystems while strengthening the state’s resilience to climate change." 

"Restoring tidal wetlands benefits both people and nature by improving habitat, increasing coastal resilience, and enhancing the health of our estuaries," said DFG Commissioner Tom O'Shea. "These investigations provide the foundation needed to advance future restoration efforts in an important coastal region." 

DER restores wetlands throughout Massachusetts by partnering with municipalities, landowners, agencies, conservation organizations, and others. These studies will gather critical information about restoration opportunities in the Narragansett Bay Estuary Region of Massachusetts where data is limited. By providing technical assistance, DER will help municipalities and partners evaluate opportunities and plan future tidal restoration projects. 

"These preliminary investigations are an important first step in identifying future tidal restoration opportunities that can improve the health and resilience of our coastal wetlands," said DER Director Beth Lambert. "By working with local partners to better understand these sites, DER is helping lay the groundwork for projects that will benefit communities, wildlife, and coastal ecosystems for years to come." 

DER will support Tidal Restoration Preliminary Field Investigations in the following municipalities: 

• Town of Somerset 
  • The Dublin Street Culvert in Somerset, on a tributary to the Taunton River, is currently undersized, restricting upstream tidal flow and causing nuisance flooding of the road. Replacement of this culvert would improve tidal flow to the upstream salt marsh system and reduce flood impacts to the road. 
• Town of Swansea 
  • The Old Providence Road Bridge in Swansea crosses the Palmer River and is in a low-lying area with known flooding issues. Potential removal of this bridge along with an associated earthen berm would reduce flood risk to the surrounding neighborhoods and allow for salt marsh restoration. 
• Town of Rehoboth 
  • The Mason Street Culvert in Rehoboth, on a tributary to the Palmer River, is currently undersized and restricts freshwater tidal flow to the upstream system. Replacement of this culvert would improve connectivity to the upstream system, restore freshwater tidal conditions and provide future salt marsh migration opportunities. 

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