Baker-Polito Administration: $1.8 Million for Coastal Communities

The Baker-Polito Administration has announced over $1.8 million in funding to support local efforts to prepare for and reduce the impacts from coastal storms and climate change, including storm surge, flooding, erosion and sea level rise.

“Massachusetts is taking a leading role in understanding and preparing for climate change impacts like sea level rise and coastal flooding,” said Governor Charlie Baker.

“These coastal resilience grants are an excellent example of these efforts, providing direct funding and technical assistance to help our coastal communities address these issues in a pragmatic and proactive way.”

“Our coastal communities are on the front lines for coastal flooding and storm damage impacts,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.

“These grants recognize the local commitment to addressing the problem and adapting to changing conditions, while providing the necessary funding and support to achieve real results.”

These grants, provided by the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), were awarded to Beverly, Boston, Dennis, Harwich, Ipswich, Marshfield, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Newburyport, Orleans, Plymouth, Quincy, Salem, Scituate, Swampscott, Truro, Wareham, Weymouth and Winthrop.

Some of the projects will include:

Dennis

• Salt Marsh Pilot Restoration through the Beneficial Re-Use of Dredged Material, $22,750: The Town of Dennis will evaluate, design and prepare permit applications for a pilot project on Stage Island and West Dennis Beach to determine whether the beneficial re-use of dredged material is an effective means of combating marsh losses and restoring storm protection functions.

Ipswich

• Ipswich River Coastal Resiliency and Coastal Bank Stabilization Pilot Project Phase I, $63,300: The Town of Ipswich will assess areas along the Ipswich River that are vulnerable to erosion and sea level rise impacts and evaluate the feasibility of nature-based stabilization techniques to help protect critical roadways and utilities.

New Bedford

• West Rodney French Boulevard Beach Nourishment Project, $168,750: The City of New Bedford will evaluate and design a beach nourishment restoration project along three armored sections of West Rodney French Boulevard that are particularly vulnerable to erosion and tidal impacts.

Scituate

• Evaluating Roadway Elevation Improvements and Dune/Beach Nourishment along North Humarock Beach for Improved Coastal Resiliency, $103,500: The Town of Scituate will evaluate beach and dune nourishment alternatives and roadway elevation improvements along a low-lying area of Central Avenue on North Humarock Beach to provide storm damage protection for repetitively damaged public infrastructure.