BOSTON – Wednesday, May 13, 2015 – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) will solicit Requests for Response (RFR) from municipalities for a series of grant programs designed to support local climate preparedness efforts, combat the effects of coastal storms, erosion and sea level rise, and protect coastal communities.

“If the Commonwealth is to meet the challenge of climate change, it is essential that we plan for these impacts today, which is why the Baker-Polito Administration is focused on improving the resiliency of Massachusetts infrastructure,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “These grant programs will help municipalities protect their citizens as well as their homes, businesses and infrastructure.”

The Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program, administered by EEA, allows for the repair and removal of dams, levees and seawalls to help restore ecological systems, improve public safety and protect key public assets.

Grants of up to $1,000,000 are available for dam and levee projects, and up to $3,000,000 for coastal protection projects. The program is funded by the EEA Environmental Bond and the Dam and Seawall Repair and Removal Fund.  Applications can be found on the CommBuys website and will be accepted until July 14, 2015.

The Coastal Community Resilience Grant Program, administered by the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), will provide up to $1.5 million in state capital funds to advance local efforts to increase awareness of climate impacts, identify vulnerabilities, and implement measures to increase communities’ ability to withstand coastal storms, erosion, flooding, and sea level rise.

All 78 coastal communities in the Commonwealth are eligible for up to $350,000 in funding. While proposals must be submitted by cities or towns, municipalities are encouraged to partner with nonprofit or regional planning partners. Communities must provide a match of at least 25 percent of the total project cost. Applications can be found on theCommBuys website and are due by June 12, 2015.

CZM’s Green Infrastructure for Coastal Resilience Grants Program has allotted up to $1.5 million in state capital funds for natural approaches addressing coastal erosion and flooding problems. Grants can be used for planning, feasibility assessment, design, permitting, construction and monitoring of green infrastructure projects that use natural approaches instead of hard structures such as seawalls.

Grants of up to $750,000 can be requested by all 78 coastal communities in the Commonwealth, as well as non-profit organizations with vulnerable coastal property that is open to the public. Applicants must provide a match of at least 25 percent of the total project cost. Applications can be found on the CommBuys website and are due by June 12, 2015.

“These grant programs provide important funding support and technical assistance to help coastal communities develop proactive and innovative solutions to the problems of erosion, flooding, storm damage and sea level rise,” said CZM Director Bruce Carlisle. “CZM looks forward to continuing to work with our coastal cities and towns to reduce the vulnerability of local communities while protecting the dunes, beaches, marshes and other natural resources that are essential for a healthy and resilient coast.”

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