City of Boston Funding update

 

The Funding Update

Click Here to Subscribe FEDERAL GRANTS Veterans Affairs, 12/30/2022 Legal Services for Veterans: up to $150,000 National Endowment for the Arts + Mid-America Arts Alliance, 1/19/2023 Creative Forces Community Engagement: $10,000 - $50,000 AmeriCorps, 2/1/202 Seniors Workforce Development: a total of $5M is available Federal funding opportunities are continuously updated on grants.gov STATE GRANTS EOPSS, 11/30/22 Project Safe Neighborhoods: a total of $198,248 is available MBTA, 12/6/2022 Workforce Assessment Consultant: Fee for Service Department of Agricultural Resources, 12/14/2022 Local Food Policy Councils: up to $20,000 MA STEM TECH Academy, 12/31/2022 Exploration Grant: up to $1.25M Massachusetts Gaming Commission, 2/1/2023 Community Mitigation Fund: $20,000 - $5M (municipal entities only) Scroll down to "Important Links" on CommBUYS to see Newly Posted Bids. CITY OF BOSTON GRANTS Office of Workforce Development/Neighborhood Jobs Trust, 12/5/2022 A Request for Proposals is issued for 1- Occupational Skills Training Programs; awards will range from $90,000-$150,000. 2- Supportive Partnerships; awards will range from $200,000-$250,000. Bids are updated continuously on the City of Boston Supplier Portal. FOUNDATION GRANTS Haymarket People’s Fund, 11/30/2022 Sustaining grants: up to $15,000 American Association of University Women, 12/1/2022 Community Action: $3,000 to $10,000 - education and equity for women and girls.  Teagle Foundation, 12/1/2022 Education for American Civic Life: $100,000 - $300,000 NFL Foundation, 12/1/2022 Social Justice: $5,000 matched by eligible players   Venturous Theater, 12/1/2022 Venturous Capital: up to $30,000 South Arts, 12/1/2022 Jazz Road Tours: up to $15,000 Nora Roberts Foundation, 12/1/2022 Literacy, children’s programs, arts, and humanitarian efforts: up to $7,500 Resist, 12/2/2022 Social Justice: up to $4,000 Paralyzed Veterans of America Education Foundation, 12/2/2022 Consumer, Caregiver, and Community Education; Professional Development and Education; Research Utilization and Dissemination; Assistive Technology; and Conferences and Symposia. $10,000 to $50,000. Clipper Ship Foundation 12/5/2022 Concept papers requested Mosaic, 12/9/2022 Movement Infrastructure: $50,000 - $300,000. WITH Foundation, 12/9/2022 Healthcare for adults with developmental disabilities: $30,000 - $50,000 TD Bank + Arbor Day Foundation, 12/9/2022 Green Space: $20,000 RPM Foundation, 12/9/2022 Educational programs: $10,000 Saucony Run For Good Foundation, 12/15/2022 Running programs: up to $10,000 Air & Space Forces Association, 12/15/2022 Educator Grants: up to $500 Robert Schalkenbach Foundation, 12/16/2022 Economic and social justice: up to $10,000 New England Foundation for the Arts, 12/19/2022 Public Art Learning Fund: $500 - $2,000 Cambridge Savings Charitable Foundation, 12/31/2022 Human Services, Affordable Housing, Community Development: $1,000 - $5,000 JAMS Foundation/ACR Initiative, 1/9/2023 Conflict Resolution Education: $20,000 - $40,000 Bob Woodruff Foundation, 1/12/2023 Veterans’ health and well-being: unspecified award amounts National Endowment for the Arts + Arts Midwest, 1/18/2023 The NEA Big Read: $5,000 - $20,000 Boston College, 1/31/2023 Dissertation Fellowship: $28,000 Bob Barker Foundation, Open Reducing Recidivism: up to $25,000 Henry E. Niles Foundation, Open Self=Help: up to $100,000 Check the Funding Update Archives for back issues with open deadlines. THE RESOURCE TABLE The Human Services Cabinet of the City of Boston is sponsoring an application to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission for a grant from its Community Mitigation Fund to address the impact of Problem Gambling in Boston communities. The City of Boston seeks to partner with a community-based organization or organizations to deliver harm reduction services that are specific to problem gambling. Contact igr[at]boston[dot] gov to receive the Request for Qualifications.   Daily Updates from the City of Boston News, Resources, Applications, Permits, Jobs, Events and more! The Funding Update will return on December 2, 2022. Happy Thanksgiving!

波士頓市長吳弭將動用6000萬元資助建造可負擔住宅 150塊市有土地可供發展

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES HISTORIC INVESTMENTS IN PROGRAMS FOR LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME HOMEBUYERS IN BOSTON The initiative includes making 150 city-owned parcels available for income-restricted homeownership development

BOSTON - Friday, November 18, 2022 - Building on her commitment to creating affordable housing in Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu today announced a significant investment in creating homeownership opportunities. The Mayor has directed $60 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to be allocated to the development of income-restricted housing for eligible Boston residents and financial assistance programs to help residents in buying homes. The City will make 150 parcels of land available to developers to build income-restricted homeownership opportunities and will be providing grants that will deliver lower mortgage interest rates and up to $50,000 in direct assistance, including down payment and closing cost assistance, to income-eligible first-time homebuyers. Funding will also be used to launch a homeownership program for qualified Boston Housing Authority residents. The proposed investments in homeownership are part of the Mayor’s commitment to address housing affordability and stability through the operating budget, the Capital budget, and federal recovery funds to build and acquire new affordable units, upgrade public housing, expand housing stability services, and expand a voucher program. “Housing is the foundation of a healthy, thriving City,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “In Boston this is an urgent issue that impacts every neighborhood, every generation, every demographic. We are moving as fast as possible with every single lever that the City has, making land available in partnership with community developers and making the financing possible with increased down payment assistance to ensure every resident has access to affordable homeownership opportunities.” "Today's announcement is a big win for creating homeownership opportunities in our communities while simultaneously improving neighborhoods through the activation of vacant lots,” said Councilor Brian Worrell. “This initiative is an important investment in addressing our housing shortage and allowing families to realize the dream of homeownership." “Investments that both create new affordable homes and provide meaningful financial assistance will allow more families to buy in Boston,” said Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing. “In the upcoming months, we will be working hard with our partners to make sure that Boston residents learn of, and act on, these important opportunities.” In June, the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) announced the completion of the Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit of all city-owned property. This report was the culmination of an effort to comprehensively inventory all City-owned properties, identify vacant and underutilized properties, and set in motion accelerated efforts to best utilize these properties to serve Boston’s communities, particularly through the development of affordable housing. Of those parcels, 150 were designated as suitable for the development of housing. In early 2023, the City will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to developers for the first 70 parcels to create homes for residents to own. A portion of the ARPA funds will be used to subsidize the construction of the housing units, making the new homes affordable to moderate-income households. "The BPDA is working diligently to expand affordable homeownership opportunities for all Bostonians, as a way to bolster equity and inclusion in our housing market," said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. "The results of the land audit, in combination with the Mayor's directive to streamline the BPDA’s approval process for affordable housing, will get us there." In addition to building new homes, the Mayor’s Office of Housing will fund three financial assistance programs that will aid households looking to purchase a home in Boston. The Boston Home Center (BHC) First Time Homebuyer program, the Saving Toward Affordable Sustainable Homeownership (STASH) program, and the ONE+Boston program. Income-qualified buyers will be eligible for downpayment and closing cost assistance of up to 5% of the purchase price, not to exceed $50,000 through the BHC first-time homebuyer assistance program. The City’s down-payment assistance can be matched with the State’s 5% down-payment program, allowing homeowners to receive a grant of up to 10% of the purchase price of a home.  Down-payment assistance can be used with the ONE+Boston program which provides discounts on interest rates for first-time homebuyers.  With the ONE+Boston program, qualified Boston residents who earn between 81% and 100% AMI will receive a half percent (0.5%) discount rate off the reduced interest rate offered through the ONE Mortgage product (currently about 6.625%). Boston residents who earn below 80% AMI will receive up to one percent (1%) off of the current ONE Mortgage rate. The downpayment assistance combined with the discounted mortgage rates through the ONE+Boston program will greatly increase the buying options for qualified residents.  This targeted funding will also enhance the STASH program. The STASH program is the first-in-the-nation matched-savings program for first-generation homebuyers who are earning below the area median income and are buying in the City of Boston. The program, designed and managed by the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA)  provides first-generation homebuyers with education and counseling on purchasing a home. In addition, first-generation buyers that complete the program and save $2,000 towards a home purchase are eligible to receive a 10-1 match if they buy a home in Boston.   “The additional funding for the STASH program and the ONE+Boston program will be necessary in allowing many first-time and first-generation homebuyers to continue their plans of buying in Boston, even as the market becomes increasingly difficult,” said Symone Crawford, Executive Director, Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, MAHA. “During this time of historically high-interest rates and low inventory, our graduates have had to postpone their home-buying search or look farther away from the city. Mayor Wu’s investment is critical in keeping our homebuyers in Boston.” To assist Boston’s public housing residents and voucher participants in purchasing their first homes, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) has created a new program in partnership with the City of Boston. BHA’s First Home Program is providing eligible BHA residents with enhanced down payment assistance of up to $75,000 for a home purchased within the City of Boston. This program is available to all qualifying BHA public housing and Section 8 residents who purchase a home within the City of Boston. BHA has a goal to reach 100 households through this program. Section 8 voucher participants can use their housing subsidy towards their mortgage payments through the Section 8 (HCV) to Homeownership Program, a program the BHA is expanding through this initiative. BHA applicants will receive home buying counseling support from the new BHA Homeownership advisor. BHA residents can learn more about the program at bostonhousing.org/firsthome. “We have families that really want to purchase their own home, and can support a mortgage, but need to get over the hurdle of upfront down-payment costs,” said Kate Bennett, Administrator and CEO at the BHA.  “Providing homeownership opportunities to BHA public housing and Section 8 residents is a huge win—it means long term stability and opportunity for families here in Boston.” Boston has an overall homeownership rate of 35 percent, considerably less than the statewide homeownership rate of 62 percent. Homeownership rates differ significantly by race and ethnicity, as 44 percent of Boston’s white households are homeowners, compared to 31 percent of Black or African American households, 30 percent of Asian or Pacific Islander households, and 17 percent of Hispanic or Latinx households. These investments in homeownership build on Mayor Wu’s initiatives to address Boston’s housing affordability, including filing a Home Rule Petition relative to real estate transfer fees and senior property tax relief, signing an Executive Order relative to affirmatively furthering fair housing, convening a Rent Stabilization Advisory Committee to inform future legislative proposals and signing an Executive Order to streamline the approval process for affordable housing.

麻州總檢察長加入不分黨派行列 再呼籲為用藥失調者提供遠距看診

AG HEALEY JOINS BIPARTISAN EFFORT CALLING FOR CONTINUATION OF TELEHEALTH VISITS FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER TREATMENT 

 

           BOSTON – Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey joined a bipartisan coalition of 45 attorneys general in calling on the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to permanently permit doctors to prescribe buprenorphine, one of three drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opioid use disorder, during telehealth visits. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA has allowed doctors to use telehealth visits to prescribe buprenorphine, but the rule allowing it to be prescribed virtually is set to expire when the federal public health emergency ends. 

 

In a letter sent to DEA and SAMHSA, the attorneys general say it’s critical for the federal government to continue to leverage telemedicine to support those in recovery and end the opioid crisis. Last year, more than 100,000 Americans died from fatal overdoses, a figure that includes 2,290 people in Massachusetts – the highest rate ever recorded in the state.  

 

“As our nation faces record-high overdose death rates, we need to remove barriers to care and expand access to treatment for those struggling with this crisis,” AG Healey said. “Allowing for continued access to these telehealth services will provide the support and flexibility that individuals with substance use disorder need.”  

 

As a condition of the COVID-19 public health emergency, in March 2020 the DEA allowed audio-visual telemedicine services to prescribe all Schedule II-V controlled substances, including buprenorphine. Without the proposed permanent extension, the expiration of the public health emergency could cut off an estimated 2.5 million U.S. adults who utilize the opioid use disorder treatment.  

 

The current allowance for telehealth services also expands access to buprenorphine to patients who may have previously struggled to receive the medication. “An estimated 28 million Americans live more than 10 miles and about 3 million live over 30 miles from a buprenorphine provider. Today, the delivery of care for buprenorphine treatment has shifted significantly to telehealth, making it more accessible than ever for individuals to access the treatment they need,” the attorneys general wrote. 

 

In the letter, the attorneys general highlight that they are joining a chorus of advocates, addiction treatment providers, medical practitioners, recovery groups, public health experts, and members of the House of Representative’s Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force in urging the administration to permanently extend these telehealth flexibilities for buprenorphine. 

 

During her eight years in office, AG Healey has prioritized combatting the opioid crisis from all angles. Her office is bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to Massachusetts communities through settlements with opioid distributors, manufacturers, and consultants for their role in fueling the epidemic. The AG’s Office has also worked to disrupt drug trafficking networks through the AG’s New England Fentanyl Strike Force, which has seized nearly 439 kilograms of heroin and fentanyl including tens of thousands of opioid pills and arrested more than 580 suspects. The AG’s Office has also provided grant funding to promote equity in substance use disorder treatment. 

 

The attorneys general of the following states and territories signed on to the letter led by Florida and North Carolina: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.  

麻州長要求2023年預算增加1億3900萬元用於應急臨時庇護所

 Baker-Polito Administration Files $139 Million Supplemental Budget to Address Emergency Temporary Shelter Needs

 

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker today filed a $139 million Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) supplemental budget to support the Commonwealth’s response to substantially increased demand on the emergency assistance shelter system. The targeted funding and policy changes in this bill will provide resources to expand emergency shelter capacity to address an uptick in need for these services, which is driven in part by a recent increase in migrant entries to Massachusetts, due to federal immigration policy.

 

“Massachusetts’ emergency shelter system provides support for thousands of families each year, but a recent uptick in new migrant arrivals, coupled with a strained housing market have led to a need for greater capacity across the system,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These expanded resources will help us quickly and effectively address this humanitarian crisis, especially as we enter the winter months. We look forward to working with our partners in the Legislature, the nonprofit community and local government as we all address this unprecedented challenge, which is unfortunately driven by the federal government’s inability to address our country’s immigration challenges.”

 

“This legislation is a comprehensive response to the shelter capacity challenges we are facing across the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “The bill includes important provisions such as funding for school districts that will see an increase in enrollment as we expand the shelter system statewide to meet our statutory and moral obligations to provide shelter for families in crisis.”

 

Building on $20 million provided in the recently signed economic development bill to support the needs of immigrants and refugees, this bill proposes a $130 million reserve to meet immediate needs across the multiple agencies that play a role in responding to the needs of families in need of emergency shelter placement.

 

The reserve includes $73 million to expand the overall capacity of the shelter system, which will fund the provisioning of more than 1,300 additional temporary shelter units and shelter provider rate increases to support recruitment and retention. It also includes $20 million to establish and maintain a temporary central intake center, where families during their first few days in shelter can receive timely case management services and various intake assessments. The remaining $37 million will support the costs associated with placing new students in local schools through the end of FY24.

 

“This supplemental spending proposal will provide the state with resources urgently needed to respond to increasing demand in the emergency shelter system," said Administration and Finance Secretary Michael J. Heffernan. “The Commonwealth has sufficient revenues to finance these appropriations and measures in Fiscal Year 2023, and we hope to see this legislation quickly acted upon to ensure we are able to continue providing critical services and shelter to all families in need in Massachusetts." 

 

"These much-needed additional resources and policy changes will support the ongoing efforts of our team at the Department of Housing and Community Development and contracted service providers to meet the increasing demand for safe shelter that we are experiencing in Massachusetts," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy. "As a right-to-shelter state, we have a statutory and moral obligation to create adequate family shelter capacity for new arrivals and families experiencing homelessness. This legislation will give the Commonwealth the necessary tools to effectively address this humanitarian crisis.”

 

The bill also includes several policy changes that will enable the state to more quickly and efficiently respond to increased need for emergency temporary shelter. It also includes a section that allows the Commonwealth, in consultation with local school districts and subject to appropriation, to enroll students from state-placed families to nearby districts to help local communities better manage the impact of an increase in student enrollment.

 

The bill also re-files a request for $9.2 million for the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to implement the Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA), which will enable the RMV to begin hiring now to ensure it has the staffing needed to meet the increased demand for services and enable the RMV to efficiently and securely develop new processes and transaction types required by the legislation.

 

To read the Governor’s filing letter, click here.

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Nearly $12 Million to 24 Ecological Restoration Projects

Baker-Polito Administration Awards Nearly $12 Million to 24 Ecological Restoration Projects

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) has awarded through its Priority Projects Program approximately $11.8 million in grant funding to 24 projects that will strengthen community preparedness for large storms, improve climate-ready infrastructure, and protect fish, wildlife, and river and wetland habitats. In December 2021, Governor Baker signed a $4 billion federal COVID-19 relief spending bill utilizing funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). $11.4 million of today’s grants are being awarded utilizing ARPA funds, with the remainder of the funding coming from DER’s Operational Budget.

“Ecological restoration is essential for building a climate-ready Commonwealth that will restore and enhance Massachusetts’ natural resources to address climate vulnerabilities while providing important access to recreational opportunities for residents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our Administration continues to invest in this work and support Massachusetts communities and ecosystems that will bring environmental benefits for generations to come.”

“Through these projects, communities will be able to increase climate resilience, improve public safety, enhance habitat, and provide additional benefits to our residents, wildlife, and natural resources,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful for the strong partnership between our Administration, municipalities, and other organizations to move these valuable restoration efforts forward.”

The Priority Projects Program is one of the vehicles by which DER pursues restoration projects that provide significant social, environmental, and economic benefits to the state and local communities and support projects throughout the Commonwealth that advance DER’s mission. Priority Projects underway include the restoration of tidal flow to degraded coastal habitats, removal of aging and unsafe dams, and restoration of freshwater wetlands in former cranberry farmlands.

“It is imperative that we continue to improve degraded habitats to benefit wildlife and enable communities across the Commonwealth to be more resilient to the impacts of climate change,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card. “Providing funds for these projects is an example of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to support the restoration of our rivers and waterways in order to promote healthy ecosystems and climate preparedness.”

“We are excited to support this group of projects, which bring numerous benefits to both people and nature,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Ron Amidon. “The results of this funding will be enjoyed into the future as they enable residents and visitors alike to step into nature with new recreational opportunities, improved water quality and habitat for wildlife, and resilience to the impacts of climate change.”

“We are proud to support these projects and to continue to work with our dedicated partners to achieve our restoration goals,” said DER Director Beth Lambert. “We are excited to see this work continue to advance and look forward to the many benefits it will bring to Massachusetts’ people and environment.” 

The following 22 projects were awarded grant funds through DER’s Priority Projects Program through ARPA funds:

Abbey Brook Restoration and Revitalization, Chicopee

Award: City of Chicopee; $2,000,000

• This award will support the first construction phase of the Abbey Brook Restoration and Revitalization Project, which aims to restore and revitalize Abbey Brook by removing two dams, replacing an undersized road-stream crossing, and “daylighting” a culverted reach of a stream along Abbey Brook in Chicopee. This first phase includes the removal of the Lower Bemis Pond Dam and stormwater management improvements along the reach of Abbey Brook. This work will eliminate the risk to public safety posed by the aging dams, reduce flood risk, restore natural river processes, improve water quality, and enhance recreational opportunities.

Bayview Cranberry Bogs Restoration, Yarmouth

Award: Cape Cod Conservation District; $350,000

• This award will support project development, engineering and design, permitting, and community engagement for the Bayview Cranberry Bogs Restoration Project, which aims to restore approximately 44 acres of abandoned commercial cranberry bogs to healthy, self-sustaining wetlands. This work will improve public access, recreation, and climate resilience on the 90-acre project site located within an environmental justice community.

Bowen’s Pond Dam Removal, Wendell

Award: Bowen’s Pond LLC; $125,000

• This award will support project design and permitting for the Bowen’s Pond Dam Removal and Osgood Brook Restoration Project in Wendell. This project will restore natural riverine ecological functions, improve downstream coldwater fisheries habitat, and eliminate a potential public safety hazard.

Church Manufacturing Co. Dam Removal, Monson

Award: RJ Realty Holdings; $800,000

• This award will support the design, permitting, and construction of the Chicopee Brook Restoration Project, which aims to remove the Church Manufacturing Co. Dam. This project will eliminate unnecessary infrastructure and reconnect a segment of Chicopee Brook, which is a Coldwater Fisheries Resource, as well as improve public safety and eliminate costly future maintenance and repairs.

Cold Brook Restoration, Harwich

Award: Harwich Conservation Trust; $400,000

• This award will support implementation and construction oversight for the Cold Brook Restoration Project, which aims to restore a healthy, self-sustaining wetland and stream system within over 50 acres of a former commercial cranberry bog and over 4,000 linear feet of river channel along Cold Brook in Harwich. This project will improve habitat for migratory and resident fish, as well as improve coastal resilience and water quality.

Freemans Pond Restoration, Brewster

Award: Town of Brewster; $200,000

• This award will support permitting and adaptive management at the culvert inlet of the completed Freemans Pond Restoration Project, also leveraging federal funding. The Freemans Pond Restoration Project replaced an undersized culvert that restricted flow. The project improved tidal flow and benefitted over 20 acres of salt marsh and associated plant communities, fish, and coastal bird species. The site has an active anadromous fish run for herring and brown trout. Current work will protect the investments in coastal restoration and improve the coastal resiliency of both the natural and built environment.

Kinne Brook Restoration, Chester

Award: Trout Unlimited; $350,000

• This award will support the construction of a culvert replacement and the removal of another culvert on a tributary to Kinne Brook. Replacing the undersized culvert with a larger, safer structure and removing the failed culvert that is no longer in use will allow full upstream and downstream movement of aquatic species, including native eastern brook trout, and will reduce the risk of road damage and failure in flood conditions. This project is part of a multi-year effort to reconnect over 10 miles of coldwater fish habitat, to date including completed dam removal and culvert replacement.

Larkin Road Dam Removal, Newbury

Award: Town of Newbury; $450,000

• This award will support the design, permitting, and implementation phases of the Parker River Restoration Project, which aims to remove the Larkin Road Dam and associated structures on the Parker River to restore ecological function and fish passage for migratory and resident aquatic species. This grant leverages $60,000 of municipal and $50,000 of USFWS funds, as well as previous DER investments.

Long Pond Brook Restoration, Great Barrington

Award: Bard College at Simon’s Rock; $150,000

• This award will support data collection, preliminary design, and permitting of the Long Pond Brook Restoration Project, which aims to restore aquatic connectivity to Long Pond Brook by removing three dams on the Bard College at Simon’s Rock campus. This project will eliminate the risk to public safety posed by aging dams, reconnect river habitats that benefit fish and wildlife, and restore natural riverine flows. 

Mattapoisett Bogs Restoration, Mattapoisett

Award: Buzzards Bay Coalition; $600,000

• This award will support the implementation of the Mattapoisett Bogs Restoration Project, which aims to re-naturalize 57 acres of retired cranberry bogs, restore aquatic connectivity to Tripps Mill Brook, and improve public access and amenities on-site.

Mill Brook Restoration, Chilmark

Award: Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Inc.; $100,000

• This award will support construction for the Mill Brook Restoration Project, which aims to implement one of the first culvert replacement projects on Martha’s Vineyard, and leverages $138,842 in federal funds. This project will restore ecological function, including fish and wildlife passage, provide reliable vehicular access across Mill Brook, and restore habitat for eastern brook trout and other coldwater species.

Monatiquot River Restoration, Braintree

Award: Town of Braintree; $1,444,981

• This award will support the removal of the “High Hazard” Armstrong Dam and the Ames Pond Dam as part of the Monatiquot River Restoration Project. This award leverages over $5.5 million of private, local, state, and federal funds. The project will open 36 river miles, strengthen community resilience, improve water quality, and restore natural river processes.

Nashawannuck Brook Restoration, Northampton

Award: City of Northampton; $250,000

• This award will support planning and assessment, conceptual design, permitting, and community outreach for the Nashawannuck Brook Restoration Project, which seeks to restore the stream and wetlands within a former golf course property. Restoration will improve stream and wetland habitat and function, remove barriers to aquatic connectivity, improve water quality, enhance climate resilience, preserve open space, and provide passive recreation through an established trail network.

Old Swamp River Dam Removal, Weymouth

Award: Town of Weymouth; $200,000

• This award will support the design, permitting, and construction phases of the Old Swamp River Dam Removal and Restoration project, which aims to remove the obsolete Sediment Nutrient Uptake Pond (SNUP) Dam to restore natural riverine processes, continuity, and habitat for migratory and resident cold-water species. In addition, the SNUP settling basins will be decommissioned to restore natural riparian wetland function for improved habitat and water quality benefits.

Pamet River Restoration, Truro

Award: Town of Truro; $400,000

• This award will support project management, data collection, modeling, design, and permitting for the Pamet River Restoration Project and leverages additional federal funding. This project aims to restore 225 acres of former tidal habitat and improve connectivity to more than six miles of stream habitat for migratory and resident fish species. This work will improve salt marsh habitat and increase climate resilience.

South Middleton Dam Removal, Middleton

Award: Bostik, Inc.; $370,000

• This award will support the removal of the South Middleton Dam, which is in poor condition and has the potential to pose a significant hazard. This grant leverages over $1,000,000 of previous federal, state, and private investments. Its removal will open 57 miles of mainstem and tributary habitat, improve water quality, and eliminate a public safety hazard.

Stuart Bogs Restoration, Rochester

Award: Buzzards Bay Coalition; $250,000

• This award will support engineering design, permitting, and wetland restoration for the Stuart Bogs Restoration Project, which aims to restore wetlands by naturalizing the flow of water through approximately 65 acres of retired cranberry bogs that drain into the west branch of the Sippican River. This project will expand a rare natural Coastal Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, improve wetland habitat and function, enhance climate resilience through carbon sequestration, preserve open space, and allow public access through the development of a trail network.

Talbot Mills Dam Removal, Billerica

Award: OARS; $385,000

• This award will support design, construction administration services, and permitting for the Concord River Restoration Project, which aims to remove the Talbot Mills Dam and leverages $250,000 in Natural Resource Damages settlement funds. This project will decommission aging infrastructure, eliminate ongoing maintenance and repair obligations, reduce upstream flood hazards, restore passage for migratory fish species, and improve water quality, aquatic habitat, and natural riverine processes.

Town River Restoration, Bridgewater

Award: Town of Bridgewater; $2,000,000

• This award will support the implementation of the Town River Restoration Project, which aims to remove the High Street Dam, replace the undersized and aging High Street road-stream crossing over Town River, and protect and enhance surrounding infrastructure and public utilities.

Upper Bass River Wetland Restoration, Yarmouth

Award: Friends of Bass River; $165,000

• This award will be used to advance engineering, preliminary designs, and permitting tasks for the Weir Road culvert replacement component of the Upper Bass River Wetland Restoration project. The project involves the replacement of two undersized, tidal road-stream crossings and the restoration of a cranberry bog, and will improve tidal flushing, fish habitat access, and water quality within the Bass River watershed.

Upper Coonamessett River Restoration, Falmouth

Award: Town of Falmouth; $100,000

• This award will support the completion of project permitting, design, and bid phase services for the Upper Coonamessett River Restoration Project, which aims to restore a healthy, self-sustaining wetland and stream system within over 20 acres of a former commercial cranberry bog and approximately 3,700 linear feet of river channel along the Coonamessett River. This project complements the Lower Coonamessett River Restoration Project, completed in 2020.

Windswept Cranberry Bog Restoration, Nantucket

Award: Nantucket Conservation Foundation; $400,000

• This award will support final design, permitting, and a portion of construction phase services for the Windswept Cranberry Bog Restoration Project, which aims to restore 40 acres of former commercial cranberry bogs to healthy, self-sustaining wetlands and sandplain grasslands, and integrate the restored landscape within the publicly accessible 231-acre conservation property. The restored landscape will a provide habitat for a wide variety of animal and plant species.

In addition, these two projects are supported through DER Operational Earmarks through DER’s Operational Budget:

Assawompset Ponds Complex, Taunton River Watershed

Award: Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District; $250,000

• This award will advance flood management efforts and will contribute to the management of aquatic invasive species within the Assawompset Ponds Complex (APC), which has recurring issues with flooding, sedimentation, water quality, and diminished herring runs. Assawompset Pond is the largest natural freshwater lake in Massachusetts and is part of a larger system of ponds, collectively called the Assawompset Ponds Complex (APC). The APC serves as the public water supply for the Cities of New Bedford and Taunton and forms the headwaters of the Nemasket River, which has the longest herring run in Massachusetts.

Belle Isle Marsh Preservation, East Boston

Award: Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, Inc.; $50,000

• This award will support the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh for the implementation of their environmental preservation programs at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation in East Boston. Belle Isle Marsh is the largest remaining salt marsh in Boston Harbor and provides important wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and climate resilience benefits to the surrounding communities.

“As we work together to build a more resilient and climate-ready Commonwealth, I want to applaud the Baker-Polito Administration for working with us in the Legislature to combat climate change, improve water quality, enhance local habitats and meet critical environmental infrastructure needs,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means (D-Westport). “Because of our enduring partnership, we have made incredible progress and this $12 million award announcement is just another strong example of how we can invest to protect our communities, promote healthier ecosystems, while confronting the impacts of climate change head on.”

“I am thrilled to see several critical ecological restoration projects on the Cape and Islands receive funding through the Department of Fish and Game's Priority Projects Program,” said State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “The Cape and Islands’ natural environment will benefit immensely from these grant monies which will be used to restore wetlands, grasslands, stream systems, salt marshes, and tidal areas in order to support habitat for animals and plants, increase climate resilience, and improve water quality.”

To review a full list of active ecological restoration Priority Projects throughout the state, please visit DER’s Restoration Project Map webpage.

The mission of the Division of Ecological Restoration is to restore and protect the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. Additionally, the Department of Fish and Game is responsible for promoting the conservation and enjoyment of the Commonwealth's natural resources. DFG carries out this mission through land protection and wildlife habitat management, management of inland and marine fish and wildlife species, and ecological restoration of fresh water, salt water, and terrestrial habitats. DFG promotes enjoyment of the Massachusetts environment through outdoor skills workshops, fishing festivals and other educational programs, and by enhancing access to the Commonwealth's rivers, lakes, and coastal waters.