Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Grants to Improve Water Quality and Habitat in the Buzzards Bay Watershed

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $873,637 in federally funded grants for projects that will treat stormwater discharges, evaluate wastewater treatment plant discharge capacity, and protect critical habitat in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The five grants are awarded by the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) through the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The grants also leverage over $6 million in local, state, and federal funds and in-kind services and help meet Massachusetts’ climate resilience and environmental equity goals.

“These grants underscore the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s focus on bringing in federal dollars to Massachusetts to support important environmental work that promotes a climate-ready future,” said Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “We appreciate these communities for their crucial work in cleaning up Buzzards Bay and boosting climate resilience through smart stormwater management and land protection.”

“This state-local-federal partnership brings real, on-the-ground results for the Massachusetts coast,” said CZM Director Alison Brizius. “We thank EPA and applaud the work of the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program and these coastal watershed communities to identify opportunities for water quality improvement and land protection and secure the funding to make these projects happen.”

The following municipalities were awarded grants:

• The Town of Bourne will receive $375,000 to construct a stormwater treatment system to address contaminated runoff from a parking lot at Queen Sewell Pond beach and to design additional stormwater treatment systems for another outfall near the beach at Bayberry Road. Queen Sewell Pond has been prone to bacteria and nutrient contamination, resulting in harmful algae blooms and beach closures. The proposed project will capture and treat the stormwater runoff before it enters the pond.
• The Town of Carver and the Town of Wareham will each receive $75,000 to work with the Buzzards Bay Coalition to permanently protect 522 acres in Carver and 215 acres in Wareham. Acquisition of these lands will protect forested uplands, cranberry bogs, and wetlands and will contribute to a growing greenway corridor along the Weweantic River. The Buzzards Bay Coalition will acquire and own the land, and both municipal conservation commissions will hold conservation restrictions in their respective towns. The lands will be used for conservation, restoration, public education, and recreation.
• The City of New Bedford will receive $250,000 to design and permit green infrastructure stormwater treatment solutions at three sites within the Buttonwood Park Zoo. Stormwater runoff from animal enclosures now discharge high levels of bacteria, sediment, and nutrients to Buttonwood Brook. The new stormwater treatment systems will replicate natural processes to trap and filter stormwater prior to reaching local waterbodies to reduce pollutant loads and improve water quality and habitat in the brook and downstream in Apponagansett Bay.
• The Town of Wareham will receive $98,637 to evaluate planned increased wastewater flows from the town’s Water Pollution Control Facility. The purpose of the study is to determine if the existing outfall location can accept increased flows from the planned sewer expansion with additional levels of treatment without degrading water quality. The study will also evaluate the benefits of moving the outfall location to other sites.

“We are fortunate to be able to provide these federal funds for such diverse and innovative projects to protect habitat and water quality in Buzzards Bay,” said Executive Director of the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program Joe Costa. “We will continue to seek and secure funds so that the communities in this region can successfully complete many more projects like these.”

“I have championed the National Estuary Program in Congress because, like everyone in our community, I recognize the importance of water quality improvements to the residents of our region and to those who visit and help sustain our local tourism economy,” said Congressman Bill Keating. “Funding from the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have already made key contributions to infrastructure and environmental sustainability, and the projects selected for funding this year will build on the continued investments by the Southeastern New England Program in working to restore our region’s estuaries to their pristine state.”

“Very pleased to see the towns of Wareham and Carver have received such impactful grants that represent a significant step forward in the Commonwealth’s commitment to preserving the natural beauty and ecological health of some of our most valuable resources,” said Senator Marc Pacheco (D-Third Bristol and Plymouth). “By investing in habitat protections, we are not only enhancing our environment but also ensuring a resilient future for our communities.”

“I am very pleased to report that Bourne will receive this important state funding to help with stormwater management,” said State Representative Steven Xiarhos (R-5^th Barnstable). “I hope and expect that the improvements that are made will help address algae blooms and contamination caused by runoff into Queen Sewell Pond and surrounding areas. Aside from reducing beach closures during summer months, this hopefully will serve to further protect our aquifer and improve overall water quality. This is an excellent example of the state working together with communities to not only protect the environment but also improve the quality of life for the people of the 5th Barnstable District.”

The Office of Coastal Zone Management is the lead policy and planning agency on coastal and ocean issues within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Created in 1985, the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program provides grants and technical assistance to Buzzards Bay watershed communities to protect and restore water quality and natural resources in Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed and is one of 28 similar programs designated by the EPA.

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