Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration

Last month, DER successfully completed an emergency removal of a high hazard, unsafe dam in Shutesbury, MA! After a study by American Rivers and an investigation by DER in early 2024, it was found that the Dudleyville Pond Dam, a small privately-owned structure, was an imminent public safety risk. The state of severe disrepair posed a threat to downstream residents and infrastructure if it failed. Additionally, the dam blocked native brook trout and other coldwater species from reaching important habitat upstream. Thanks to the quick action of the dam owner, partners, and funders, the Town of Shutesbury’s Conservation Commission issued an emergency certification to remove the dam and by August 28th, the dam was removed! DER thanks the partners involved on this project for their quick action including Connecticut River Conservancy, Stantec, and SumCo Eco-Contracting, and funding by DER, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Trout Unlimited, American Rivers, and the THE CONNECTICUT RIVER SALMON ASSOCIATION INC. Learn more about this incredible story of partnership ➡ https://bit.ly/3XacAiO

How’s Herring River Estuary Restoration going? With traffic flowing over a temporary bridge through Wellfleet that was finished earlier this year, construction has been steadily progressing on the largest tidal restoration in the northeastern U.S. This summer, work has been focusing on completing the coffer which controls water around excavation of the old roadway, excavating the old tidegate structure and roadway, beginning the foundation for the permanent bridge, and many other construction elements. Learn more about this #DERPriorityProject from our friends at Friends of Herring River ➡ https://lnkd.in/e6qQRsB8 📷: Wes Stinson/EP

The Boston Globe Media has an excellent front page story about last week's emergency removal of the Dudleyville Dam. Climate reporter Erin Douglas accurately captures the challenges and opportunities associated with dam removal and the angst that many owners go through. The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, Connecticut River Conservancy, Trout Unlimited chapters, and American Rivers were able to remove this dam due to the ecological benefits. But what about the hundreds of other dams in MA whose owners can’t afford them and want to remove them?

Congratulations to the Town of Warren, on securing a grant through the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration's Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program for FY25, with assistance from CMRPC in the application process. Warren is among the 14 municipalities awarded funding. With the $140,000 grant, Warren will undertake crucial field data collection and design work to replace two undersized culverts on New Reed Street over Tufts Brook. These culverts, are an essential Coldwater Fisheries Resource and have faced repeated flooding issues, risk of failure, and significant roadway damage. Once complete, this project will make the existing infrastructure more resilient in severe weather events. Additionally, the Town of Dudley MA and the Town of Westborough have also received funding through this initiative to support similar projects. Learn more by viewing the official press release:https://lnkd.in/ebfVct7K Thanks to Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game, and Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

We were thrilled to join the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, the Town of Westborough, grantees, and other partners this morning to celebrate more than $3.7 million in grants awarded to support culvert upgrades, restoration partnerships, and restoration projects that will improve public safety and reconnect aquatic systems. It was powerful to visit one of the funded projects, which will reduce flooding, restore a coldwater stream, and protect public drinking water in Westborough. TNC is proud to advocate for funding for this important agency and its grant programs, and we love seeing the local impacts. Congratulations to all the awardees!

A wonderful way to kick-off Labor Day weekend, getting to see so many great river and wetland restoration projects moving forward and many smiling faces. To all my Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration colleagues, project sponsors and partners, and to the many community members who help make these projects happen, congratulations! Hope you have a wonderful weekend and are excited as me to see how all your contributions are leading to on-the-ground stream habitat restoration and climate resiliency in communities throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

It was an honor to announce $3.7 million in grants for river and wetland restoration projects today! Today's awards came through our Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program and our Regional Restoration Partnerships Program. We also awarded a stand-alone grant to the Friends of Herring River in Wellfleet for the Herring River Restoration Project, the largest estuary restoration project in the Northeast.

Grateful to have attended the award ceremony today for MA Division of Ecological Restoration of Department of Fish and Game. Friends of Herring River continues to play a leading role in supporting the Herring River Restoration Project, Wellfleet MA - Dynamic, complex and on its way! Thank you for the grant, we will continue to steward and execute with deep commitment and care. Learn more about the grant and awardees here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Z5wbmT

DER is proud to award over $3.7 million in grants today for river and wetland restoration projects throughout Massachusetts! Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game, partners, and many of the awardees joined DER and the Town of Westborough for an event to announce this round of funding and visit a culvert replacement that received funding. Over $2.1 million went to 17 different municipalities to replace outdated culverts with new and improved crossings. Over $700,000 went to support three Restoration Partnerships to boost the pace and scale of ecological restoration by strengthening local and regional organizations. Lastly, over $899,000 went to the Herring River Estuary Restoration in Wellfleet and Truro, the largest tidal restoration in the northeastern U.S. Learn more about the grant and awardees here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3Z5wbmT

Funding opportunity alert! 🚨 DER’s Chapter 268 Grant Opportunity is now live to support and advance cranberry bogs and coastal wetland restoration projects. Funding is available for projects in planning and design, as well as projects in construction. Eligible applicants include any state, regional, or municipal organization, non-governmental agency, and public or private entity that either owns or has the authority to represent the owner of the proposed restoration project site. In addition, to be eligible for the Construction Funding Type, the proposed project must be an existing DER Priority Project. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support public and private entities engaged in restoration efforts to remove stressors that impair the function and resiliency of wetland and stream habitats. Applications are due by 4pm EST on September 23, 2024. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/3MoItPz