Read the press release here.
For 2021, MassDEP selected 5 grant recipients through a rigorous competitive process. The $1,437,258 in federal 319 funding will be matched by an additional $1,124,722 in local dollars – providing $2,561,979 in total funds to protect and restore water quality in Massachusetts by addressing the prevention, control, and abatement of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution to waterbodies.
2021 Grants
1. Mystic River Watershed Association | Distributed Small-Scale Trenches for Phosphorus Load Reduction | $498,715
The Mystic River Watershed Association will help protect the Mystic River with the design and construction of stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). This project will reduce pollutant loads in the Mystic River, which is impaired by phosphorus. Pollutant loads will be reduced through the installation of 50 smaller-scale infiltration trenches in three municipalities, offering cost-effective phosphorus reduction in a highly urbanized setting where large-scale BMPs are limited. Additionally, the restoration project should also reduce bacteria concentrations.
2. Manchaug Pond Foundation | Manchaug Pond Water Quality Improvements and Agricultural Outreach | $225,190
The Manchuag Pond Foundation will protect the Manchaug Pond in Sutton and Douglas through the design and construction of stormwater BMPs. This project will improve water quality in the pond by employing structural and non-structural BMPs to address the stormwater runoff from roads, driveways, farms, and horse keeping activities in the watershed. The installation of BMPs will reduce pollution from stormwater runoff to the pond, which is impaired for low dissolved oxygen and non-native plants.
3. Merrimack Valley Planning Commission | Essex County Nonpoint Source Coordinator | $100,000
The Merrimack Valley Planning Commission will support the Massachusetts NPS Program through a regional NPS coordinator. The coordinator will carry out NPS mitigation work, develop watershed-based plans, facilitate high-quality project proposals to be funded through the 319 grant program or other NPS partner programs, and conduct outreach and education work to enhance the NPS Program message. Other duties will include conducting work focused on NPS pollution and Healthy Watersheds, such as climate resiliency, outreach and education, identification of regional NPS priorities, and any other activities that will further the goals of the Massachusetts NPS Program. The regional coordinator will focus their efforts to restore impaired waters and protect unimpaired/high quality and threatened waters in the Essex County portion of the Merrimack River watershed.
4. Town of Holland | Hamilton Reservoir Watershed Improvement Project | $256,871
The Town of Holland will protect the Hamilton Reservoir with the design and construction of stormwater BMPs. Sediment and nutrient loading are accelerating the eutrophication of the lake, increasing nuisance plants and algae, increasing erosion and water temperatures, and decreasing dissolved oxygen. Stormwater management in the tributary areas generally consists of direct discharges to the reservoir without treatment. The installation of BMPs will reduce pollution from stormwater runoff to the reservoir, which is impaired due to invasive, non-native plants.
5. Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts | Western Massachusetts Agricultural Nonpoint Source Program| $259,000
The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Districts will support the Massachusetts NPS Program through regional agricultural NPS coordinators. The grantee’s coordinators will work with farmers to develop conservation plans and implement BMPs to reduce NPS pollution to impaired water bodies. This project will address the issue of impaired water bodies related to agriculture in the western portion of the state. The coordinators will focus their efforts to restore impaired waters and protect unimpaired/high quality and threatened waters in the Connecticut River, Westfield River, and Deerfield River Watersheds.