BOSTON — For some communities in Western Massachusetts, the ability to better meet the capriciousness of climate change begins with a culvert.
Last week, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced it awarded nearly $1 million for ecological restoration projects across the state. The Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration, which sponsored the grants, said they were aimed at strengthening the state’s efforts to combat climate change and improve habitat and water quality.
And among those funds, $124,361 was allocated to replacing culverts in four Western Massachusetts towns: Chester, Huntington, South Hadley and Belchertown.
“Through a competitive process, the (Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance) Grant Program helps municipalities replace undersized and deteriorating culverts with stream crossings that meet improved design standards,” the Department of Fish and Game said in its Jan. 9 statement announcing the awards. “These improved crossings help people and nature adapt to climate change, restore natural river processes, improve passage for aquatic organisms, and increase climate readiness and public safety by reducing flood hazards.”
The town of Chester will receive $55,361 to replace two culverts over Abbott Brook on Abbott Hill Road.
The Town of Huntington is the beneficiary of $34,000. And $25,000 will be going to South Hadley’s culvert replacement over Elmer Brook on Pearl Street. The Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool identified the Elmer Brook crossing as being in the top 5% of crossings that should be replaced.
Belchertown was awarded $10,000 for its culvert replacement for Hop Brook.
“We are proud to support these powerful and diverse restoration projects through technical assistance, technical services, and funding. Working together with many dedicated and knowledgeable partners, we will continue to drive restoration efforts forward and see the innumerable benefits of this work now and into the future,” said Beth Lambert, the director of the Division of Ecological Restoration, in a statement.
Altogether, the state awarded funds for eight culvert projects. Additionally, the state awarded funds for three regional restoration partnership programs and five priority projects that include returning two former cranberry bogs to wetlands and streams, one in Harwich and the other on Nantucket.
