The Nasketucket Bay Land Conservation Project stands to protect 398 acres of land, but finding funding from the town of Mattapoisett may prove difficult.

The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking $6 million to purchase the land, located in Mattapoisett and Fairhaven.

Brendan Annett, Vice-President of Watershed Protection, spoke with Selectmen on Tuesday night to discuss possible funding options.

The land connects to the existing Nasketucket Bay State Park off Brandt Island Road, and there are plans to extend the bike path through the property, said Annett.

“It’s believed to be the largest coastal land preservation project in the state,” said Annett. “Besides protecting important habitat for wildlife, it protects land that is currently in agricultural use.”

With 263 acres of the land in Mattapoisett, the Coalition is looking for $200,000 from the town.

Annett said that Buzzards Bay anticipates $3 million in funding from federal sources, $1.5 million from the state, and $1 million from the Bouchard Oil Spill Trustee Council. Private funding in the amount of $150,000 will also be sought.

“The price tag is large, but we’ve actually had a bit of success with our funding strategy,” he said.

Fairhaven’s Community Preservation Committee has already agreed to recommend the appropriation of $200,000 for the project at its Town Meeting. But when Annett went before Mattapoisett’s committee earlier this month, he was told that $200,000 from the town was unlikely.

Scheduled to close the land deal at the end of December, Annett asked Selectmen if municipal funds might be put towards the project.

Selectman Paul Silva said the price was too steep for the town.

“We have a lot of projects to take care of in the community,” said Silva. “To take it from the town’s coffers — we don’t have it.”

Selectman Tyler Macallister agreed. He said restoring the tennis courts and wharves in town are already in line for funding and are equally important projects that have already been delayed for many years.

“If we had another six months to a year, it might help to get to your goal,” said Macallister. With state funding cuts looming and budgets already tight, he said, “The timing really stinks.”

Chair Jordan Collyer said a smaller amount, such as $40 to $50,000 might be “doable,” but first Selectmen want to look into other funding possibilities.

Resident Paul Osenkowski asked Selectmen to support the project.

“We have to protect our water supply,” said Osenkowski. “The forest protects the marsh and the marsh protects the bay and the bay is what makes us Mattapoisett.”

Annett said funding from the two towns does help secure funding form other sources. "I am looking for ways to solve this problem," he said.

Selectmen voted to have Town Administrator Mike Gagne research funding options available.