SouthCoast Awarded Over $476,000 for Dams, Coastal Infrastructure
BOSTON — SouthCoast communities will be getting nearly half a million dollars for dams and seawall repairs as part of $17.3 million in grants awarded across the state, the Baker-Polito Administration announced yesterday.
The grants — part of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' Dam and Seawall Program — support projects in 28 communities to address failing dams, levees, and coastal infrastructure in Massachusetts amid the expected worsening of floods and other climate-related natural disasters.
Three SouthCoast municipalities have been awarded grants under the program.
Somerset will be getting $247,828 for improvements to its dam infrastructure, while Wareham is set to receive $175,000 to address problems with its Parker Mills Dam.
The 19th-century dam was classified as "High Hazard" after a 2013 study, leading to the town considering its removal in a June 2020 hazard mitigation plan.
Meanwhile, the city of New Bedford will be getting $54,000 for repairs to its East Rodney French Boulevard seawall.
“The Commonwealth’s cities and towns are seeing the impacts of climate change every day, and our Administration is committed to providing needed funding to support critical resilience projects to address these issues,” said Governor Charlie Baker.
“These grants will help municipalities make substantial progress to maintain and repair aging dams and seawalls across Massachusetts.”
“Ensuring dams, seawalls, and levees remain in good condition can be costly on municipal budgets, and we are pleased to provide these Dam and Seawall Program grants to help support municipalities as they make these investments,” commented Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito.
The Dam and Seawall Program has now provided over $95 million in grants and loans since the program began in 2013.
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