Marion, Mattapoisett awarded state coastal flooding prevention grants

Marion and Mattapoisett are two of 29 towns across the state to receive grant funding from the Office of Coastal Zone Management’s Coastal Resilience Grant program, which supports local and regional efforts to plan for and reduce coastal storm and climate change impacts, including storm surge, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise.

Marion will receive $225,00 for the design of Creek Road Pump Station resiliency improvements. With the funds, the town will design a new pump station at the existing Creek Road Pump Station site to reduce short and long-term risks to storm surge and sea level rise. The pump station handles nearly half of the wastewater flow in the town and the project is a critical step in advancing the town’s comprehensive approach to a more resilient sewer system, the state said. 

In Mattapoisett, the $74,981 will go towards Mattapoisett Neck Road Flood Resilience Project. This will help the town assess future flood risks from sea level rise and coastal storms and develop alternatives to improve the resilience of the Mattapoisett Neck Road causeway and a culvert crossing through a salt marsh under the southern portion of the road.

“CZM is excited to continue working collaboratively with our local community and nonprofit partners to identify climate vulnerabilities, raise public awareness, and advance shoreline management efforts,” CZM Director Lisa Berry Engler said. “We look forward to another successful round of projects that contribute to a more resilient coast.”