Press Release  State Celebrates Nearly $4 Million in Federal Funds to Restore Coastal Habitat and Improve Resilience to Climate Change

Manchester-by-the-Sea — Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepper today announced a $3,745,290 award for two coastal habitat restoration projects through the Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Awards, established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Manchester-by-the-Sea project will restore coastal habitat, tidal flow, and fish passage through the reconstruction of a bridge and removal of a tide gate, while the Truro project will advance salt marsh restoration by completing planning and permitting for multiple tidal flow improvements in the Pamet River system. The grant funds were secured by EEA’s Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), which developed the project proposals in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, and the Town of Truro.

“These federal funds will allow us to advance and finalize critical long-term habitat restoration efforts along the Massachusetts coast to protect the environment and improve resilience to climate change,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is committed to working directly with coastal communities to restore these habitats, and we will continue to maximize state investment by pursuing federal funding whenever possible.” 

“As Mayor of Salem, I’ve worked directly with CZM to advance a variety of local coastal projects, from port planning to nature-based solutions that reduce erosion and improve water quality,” added Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It’s great to see our agencies working so hard to bring in the resources needed to help cities and towns achieve on-the-ground environmental goals.” 

“Environmental restoration requires a long-term commitment to bring projects from planning and permitting to shovels in the ground,” said Energy & Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “These projects are excellent examples of how we can harness partnerships to deliver for Massachusetts residents.”

“Recognizing that degraded coastal habitats are highly susceptible to climate change impacts, CZM seized on this competitive federal grant opportunity to help fund these important restoration projects,” said CZM Director Lisa Berry Engler. “We thank our local, state, and federal partners, and we look forward to working with all of you again next year to secure additional federal dollars.”

“By restoring Sawmill Brook to its natural state, removing the tidal gate, and re-establishing a salt marsh habitat, we will improve the resiliency of the area to future flooding, better protect properties, and enhance the natural ecosystem’s ability to function as an important buffer zone,” said Gregory Federspiel, Manchester-by-the-Sea Town Administrator. “This is a critical infrastructure project for our core village area and we appreciate our partnership with the Commonwealth to bring this project to fruition and are very pleased to be awarded these federal funds.”

“On behalf of the Town of Truro, we greatly appreciate the opportunity to move the Pamet River Restoration Project forward and are looking forward to working with our funding partners and stakeholders,” said Jarrod Cabral, Director, Truro Department of Public Works.

“Climate change is a serious threat to our coastal communities, and the Central Street Bridge Replacement and Sawmill Brook Restoration Project is an important step in addressing that threat,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. “In the heart of Manchester-by-the-Sea's downtown, this bridge, in its deteriorated state, has presented a growing challenge for local officials for years. In that respect, it is emblematic of the intensifying issues seaside communities and others face due to the consequences of sea level rise. This project proves that these issues can be successfully addressed through collaboration between local, state, and federal governments.”

“Our natural resources are our first line of defense in the face of the effects of climate change. This grant will allow Manchester-by-the-Sea to take a proactive step by cultivating a natural safeguard for the town's homes and businesses,” said State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing the critical work being done in our coastal communities to advance habitat restoration and create green infrastructure.”

The Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration grants are provided through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Eligible state coastal programs can submit proposals for projects that focus on coastal habitat restoration; coastal habitat restoration planning, engineering, and design; and land conservation. The two projects submitted by CZM were selected through a highly competitive process to receive this year’s IIJA grant awards, with only 33 projects funded out of 95 submissions. Both projects are designated as Priority Ecological Restoration Projects by the Commonwealth through DER’s Priority Projects Program. The two projects are:

Manchester-by-the-Sea - The Central Street Bridge Replacement and Sawmill Brook Restoration Project was awarded $1,561,511 to reconstruct the bridge with a widened span and remove a tide gate, which will improve tidal flow to enhance fish passage for the threatened rainbow smelt and other species. Improved tidal flow will also allow for the direct restoration of an acre of the salt marsh through plantings and natural establishment. In addition, the project will reduce the risk of flooding—a hazard that has severely impacted Town assets and roads during major storms—by improving water flow through the widened and unimpeded bridge span. The fire station and other critical infrastructure will also be protected through the stabilization of eroding streambanks using nature-based approaches. The Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, along with state and federal partners, has worked for multiple years to design and advance this critical project. This IIJA funding will be coupled with other local, state, and federal grants secured by the Town, including $727,335 in funding awarded in previous years from EEA, CZM, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant (BRIC) Grant of $4,484,673, to complete this important long-term project.

Truro - The Pamet River Restoration Project was awarded $2,183,779 to advance modeling, design, and permitting to restore tidal flow at five locations currently restricted by railroad and road crossings. The funding will be used to conduct a feasibility study and collect data to support the greater goal of restoring natural tidal flow, salt marsh function, water quality, and fish passage within the Pamet River system. The project focuses on the entire Pamet River system, creating an opportunity to restore hundreds of acres of highly productive salt marsh and estuary habitat and improve the resilience of both habitat and infrastructure to climate change impacts. The award leverages a $400,000 FY23 grant to the Town from DER as well as $475,000 invested in the project in prior years. Additional funding partners include the Cape Cod Conservation District and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service, which have contributed $3.2 million in past funding with an additional $2.7 million pending, as well as Town funds. DER will continue to partner with the Town of Truro and other state and federal partners to advance this large-scale restoration project.  

The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is the lead policy and planning agency on coastal and ocean issues within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Through planning, technical and grant assistance, and public information programs, CZM seeks to balance the impacts of human activity with the protection of coastal and marine resources. The agency’s work includes helping coastal communities address the challenges of storms, sea level rise, and other effects of climate change; working with state, regional, and federal partners to balance current and new uses of ocean waters while protecting ocean habitats and promoting sustainable economic development; and partnering with communities and other organizations to protect and restore coastal water quality and habitats.

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