BOSTON – Continuing efforts to address failing dams and strengthen coastal infrastructure, the Baker-Polito Administration recently announced approximately $19.2 million in grants through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Dam and Seawall Program. As part of the announcement, Scituate was awarded two grants totaling $5,932,500 to support the reconstruction of seawalls on Oceanside Drive and Turner Road.
“Our coastal infrastructure is key to keeping our communities safe from the impacts of severe weather,” said State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth). “With hundreds of miles of coastline to protect on the South Shore, today’s announcement of nearly $6 million to repair seawalls in Scituate is a significant step forward. I am deeply appreciative of the Baker-Polito Administration for their investment in the South Shore.”
"We see with each passing year that climate changes continue to pound our coast and waterways with increasingly unrelenting high tides, erosion and sediment deposits that impact water and sewer treatment operations, business locations and residential properties,” said Representative Patrick Kearney (D-Sciutate). “These two grants amounting to $6M are critically important financial resources as Scituate proceeds through the upcoming coastal design and permit process related to seawall reconstruction in an especially vulnerable location. I am so thankful to the ongoing collaborative efforts of our Town Administrator, Select Board, the MA Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Baker Administration in both securing these monies and remaining committed to keep our community on track with its coastal resilient infrastructure plan."
The statewide grant announcement awarded funding to 23 municipalities and nonprofit organizations as they seek to advance 26 critical infrastructure projects within their communities. Grants are awarded to advance designs and permits, as well as to construct the projects. This round of grants will support 15 design and permitting projects and 11 construction projects. With these new grants, EEA’s Dam and Seawall Program has now made over $114 million in total grants and loans to address deficient dams, seawalls, and levees since the program began in 2013.
For more information regarding EEA’s Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program, please visit the program’s webpage.