Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Grants to Protect Habitat in the Buzzards Bay Watershed

Boston — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced $182,897 in federally funded grant awards for projects that will preserve critical habitat, support fish migration, and improve tidal flow to salt marshes in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The four grants, which are being matched by nearly $90,000 in state, local, and private funds, are being 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) Southeast New England Program.

“These targeted grant projects will preserve land that provides important habitat and public access, enhance salt marsh health and climate resilience, and remove barriers to native fish migration,” said CZM Acting Director Tyler Soleau. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration continues to work diligently to secure federal funds such as these to forward environmental protection priorities throughout Massachusetts.”

The following municipalities were awarded grants:

• The Town of Fairhaven will receive $15,000 to purchase a conservation restriction on a 5.75-acre parcel of land to prevent future development, preserve natural resources, and provide passive recreational opportunities to the public. The property, consisting of coastal forest, wetlands, and a perennial stream, immediately connects to over 250 acres of existing conservation land as well as the regional multi-use Phoenix Bike Trail.
• The Town of Marion will receive $47,897 to work with its partner, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, to complete feasibility/conceptual designs to replace two undersized culverts on Delano Road in Marion. The culverts restrict water flow between the expansive wooded wetlands of the Great Swamp and adjacent coastal habitats of Buzzards Bay. The project will provide climate resilience benefits, such as preventing the upstream impoundment of water and resultant road flooding and allowing for salt marsh migration with rising sea levels.
• The Town of Wareham will receive $70,000 to work with its partner, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, to complete feasibility/conceptual designs to support the replacement of a tidally restrictive culvert on Indian Neck Road at the Crooked River. The project will also investigate the partial removal of a dike that restricts tidal exchange within the adjacent Jack’s Marsh. The replacement of these structures will support climate resilience goals by improving tidal exchange to 11 acres of marsh and facilitating future pathways for marsh migration to adjacent low-lying areas in the face of rising sea levels.
• The Town of Westport will receive $50,000 to work with its partner, the Buzzards Bay Coalition, to complete data collection and survey work to advance the replacement of three undersized and deteriorating culverts located on cold water streams. The culverts reduce aquatic connectivity, serve as barriers to native fish migration, and pose risks to public safety. Replacement of these culverts will provide access to critical habitat for migratory fish, including sea-run brook trout, as well as river herring and American eel.

“Years ago, when I fought for the creation of SNEP, I knew the program would pay dividends for years to come. And once again, we are seeing that to be true,” said Congressman Bill Keating.  “We all know the importance of Buzzards Bay, and thanks to the support of the National Estuary Program and the work of the Buzzards Bay Coalition and the communities of the region, we will continue to protect this vital natural resource.”

“We were pleased to see several culvert replacement projects funded in this grant round,” said Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program Executive Director Joe Costa. “Culvert replacements not only address flooding and coastal resilience issues, but they can enhance fish and wildlife migration and improve connections between wetland habitats.”

“Pleased to see that Marion and Warham will receive much needed funding for important water infrastructure projects,” said Dean of the Massachusetts Senate Marc R. Pacheco (D-Taunton). “These funds will provide climate resilient benefits and help us to meet climate resilient goals,” he added. 

“The Westport community prizes our cold water streams. There aren't many of them left. They harbor sea-run brook trout, herring, and eel,” said State Representative Paul Schmid (D- 8^th Bristol  District). “We thank, effusively, the Healy/Driscoll administration for a grant that will allow us to partner with the Buzzards Bay Coalition to give these species a better chance to survive climate change.”

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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