On April 4, we announced, through Massachusetts EEA, $138,000 in two grant awards for projects that will support fish migration and improve water quality in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The following grants were awarded:

• The Town of Plymouth will receive $69,000 to design and construct stormwater treatment systems on Surrey Drive that will prevent contaminants and nutrients from entering Clear Pond. The pond has documented low levels of oxygen and elevated levels of chlorophyll, phosphorus, and nitrogen, which are leading to repeated seasonal outbreaks of cyanobacteria. The town’s goal is to eliminate the first flush of stormwater from being discharged directly into the pond, which is contributing to poor water quality.

• The Town of Westport will receive $69,000 to complete preliminary engineering design plans to advance the replacement of three undersized and deteriorating culverts at Angeline Brook at Cornell Road and Snell Creek and Lyons Brook on Drift Road. The culverts impair the free flow of the streams, serve as barriers to native fish migration, and pose risks to public safety when roads are damaged during extreme flooding. Eventual replacement of these culverts will provide access to critical habitat for sea-run brook trout, river herring, American eel, and other fish species.

I appreciate the continuing work of Buzzards Bay communities and their partners to protect water quality and restore habitat. Thanks to generous Congressional support, we have been able to award more than $2.7 million in local grants for 23 projects in 12 communities since 2022.

Read the full EEA press release.