Press Release: 8/15/2025

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $2.9 Million for Ecological Restoration Projects

 

Projects will strengthen resilience, improve public safety, and protect wildlife habitat 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

8/14/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Aisha Revolus, Communications Manager

 Online

Email Aisha Revolus, Communications Manager at aisha.revolus@mass.gov

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced more than $2.9 million in grants to support ecological restoration projects across Massachusetts. This funding, provided by the Department of Fish and Game’s (DFG) Division of Ecological Restoration (DER), will strengthen resilience against extreme weather events, improve water quality, reduce flood risks, and restore crucial wildlife habitat.  

“Massachusetts has over 25,000 culverts, most of which are undersized. By replacing these outdated culverts with larger, safer structures, we can better prepare our communities for severe weather,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “Investing in these projects now will save our cities and towns money on disaster recovery in the future.” 

"Projects like these are a win-win for people and nature," said DFG Commissioner O'Shea. "By partnering with local leaders, we can turn our biggest challenges into opportunities to deliver safer, heathier communities. Restoration is an instant transformation—these projects secure cleaner water, thriving fish and wildlife, and more opportunities for outdoor recreation." 

DER is awarding over $2.7 million to 21 towns through its Stream Continuity Program, which includes the Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance (CRMA) Grants and the Culvert Replacement Training Site Initiative. The CRMA grants help municipalities replace outdated culverts with new, improved crossings. These upgrades restore river ecosystems, enhance fish and wildlife passage, and reduce flood risks, improving climate resilience and public safety. The Training Site Initiative will turn some of these project sites into training hubs, creating a network of locations for hands-on learning to teach local roadway managers about culvert replacements in Massachusetts. 

Additionally, DER is awarding $200,000 to support the Herring River Estuary Restoration Project through DER’s Priority Projects Program, which is the vehicle by which DER pursues wetland and river restoration projects that present the greatest benefit to the state ecologically, socially, and economically. Other Priority Projects underway include removal of aging, unsafe dams; restoration of freshwater wetlands in former cranberry farmlands; replacement and removal of undersized and degrading culverts; and restoration of tidal flow to degraded coastal habitats. 

“Ecological restoration is a powerful nature-based solution to some of our most challenging climate-related issues,” said DER Director Beth Lambert. “Projects lower flood risk, increase public safety, improve water quality, restore crucial coldwater habitat, and create recreational opportunities for all. This is essential work as Massachusetts prepares for a climate-ready future. DER is proud to support so many dedicated partners who are working tirelessly to advance restoration in our state.” 

The following 21 towns were awarded funding through DER’s CRMA Grants and Culvert Replacement Training Site Initiative: 

• Town of Agawam, Threemile Brook Culvert Replacements: $122,000
  
  
  
  
  • The Town of Agawam will conduct design/engineering work toward the replacement of three undersized culverts on Elm Street and Adams Street over Threemile Brook, which is a Coldwater Fisheries Resource.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Ashby, Trapfall Brook Culvert Replacements: $176,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Ashby will conduct design/engineering work and permitting activities toward the replacement of two undersized culverts on Harris Road over Trapfall Brook and its tributary. This waterway is a designated coldwater fishery, outstanding resource water, core habitat, and critical natural landscape.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Douglas, Whitins Reservoir Tributary Culvert Replacements: $85,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Douglas will conduct field data collection work toward the replacement of two deteriorating culverts on Webster Street and Wallis Street over an unnamed tributary to Whitins Reservoir, a coldwater fishery and where flooding has been a recurrent issue. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Grafton, Flagg Brook Culvert Replacement: $66,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Grafton will conduct field data collection and design/ engineering work toward the replacement of a heavily deteriorated culvert on Merriam Road over Flagg Brook, an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and where flooding has been a recurrent issue. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Hinsdale, George Schnopp Road Culvert Replacement: $510,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Hinsdale will conduct construction activities to replace a culvert on George Schnopp Road. The crossing is located within core habitat, critical natural landscape areas, an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and a designated coldwater fishery. Replacing this structure will benefit stream and habitat connectivity as well as providing public access and safety benefits to the roadway and surrounding community. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Hopkinton, Unnamed Tributary to Whitehall Brook Culvert Replacements Training Site: $127,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Hopkinton will conduct preliminary design work toward the replacement of two undersized and deteriorating culverts on Fruit Street over Whitehall Brook, where flooding has been an issue. The Town will also host one to two trainings led by DER to teach local roadway managers about culvert replacements in Massachusetts, including lessons learned from this and other projects.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Kingston, Jones River Culvert Replacement: $58,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Kingston will conduct bid phase service activities toward the replacement of a culvert on Lake Street over Jones River, a coldwater fishery, priority habitat for rare species, core habitat, and critical natural landscape.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Lincoln, Stony Brook Culvert Replacements: $149,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Lincoln will conduct field data collection work toward the replacement of three undersized culverts on Lincoln Road, Pierce Hill Road, and Tower Road over Stony Brook, a coldwater fisheries resource. The three crossings are located within Outstanding Resource Waters and currently act as barriers to fish passage.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Longmeadow, Longmeadow Brook Culvert Replacement Training Site: $80,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Longmeadow will conduct preliminary design work toward the replacement of a culvert on the West Road trail in the Frannie Sebbins Wildlife Refuge over Longmeadow Brook, a Coldwater Fisheries Resource. The Town will also host one to two trainings led by DER to teach local roadway managers about culvert replacements in Massachusetts, including lessons learned from this and other projects. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Mendon, Spring Brook Culvert Replacement: $116,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Mendon will conduct field data collection and design/engineering work toward the replacement of a failing culvert on Providence Street over Spring Brook, a coldwater fishery which flows into critical natural landscape, core habitat, and priority habitat for rare species. The culvert recently underwent maintenance and emergency repairs when it overtopped and washed out the road several times in the past two years. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Middlefield, Bear Mountain Brook Culvert Replacement Training Site: $120,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Middlefield will conduct preliminary design, permitting, and final design work toward the replacement of an undersized culvert on Cone Road over Bear Mountain Brook, a coldwater fisheries resource. The crossing currently acts as a barrier to fish passage and is located on an Outstanding Resource Water. The Town will also host one to two trainings led by DER to teach local roadway managers about culvert replacements in Massachusetts, including lessons learned from this and other projects. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Monroe, Phelps Brook Culvert Replacements: $120,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Monroe will conduct field data collection work toward the replacement of three deteriorating culverts on Main Road, Kingsley Hill Road, and River Road over Phelps Brook, a coldwater fisheries resource. The crossings are located in core habitat and a critical natural landscape area, act as a barrier to fish passage, and undergone multiple temporary fixes due to repeated storm damage. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Norfolk, Seekonk Street Culvert Replacement: $146,156
  
  
  
  • The Town of Norfolk will conduct construction activities to replace a heavily deteriorated and failing culvert on Seekonk Street over an unnamed stream.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Palmer, Tributary to Ware River Culvert Replacements: $88,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Palmer will conduct design/engineering and permitting work toward the replacement of two undersized and deteriorating culverts on Bacon Road and West Ware Road over an unnamed tributary to the Ware River, where flooding has been an issue. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Savoy, Phelps Brook Culvert Replacement: $43,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Savoy will conduct bid phase service activities toward the replacement of an undersized culvert on Old Main Road over Phelps Brook, a coldwater fisheries resource.  
  
  
  
  


• Town of Stockbridge, Marsh Brook Culvert Replacement: $56,800
  
  
  
  • The Town of Stockbridge will conduct design/engineering and permitting work toward the replacement of a partially-crushed culvert on Rattlesnake Mountain Road over Marsh Brook, in an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and where flooding has been an issue. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Swansea, Kickemuit River Culvert Replacements: $152,500
  
  
  
  • The Town of Swansea will conduct engineering/design work toward the replacement of two culverts on Stephen French Road and Burnside Drive over Kickemuit River, an important habitat for fish. The crossings are also located within core habitat and critical natural landscape areas.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Wales, Schoolhouse Brook Culvert Replacements: $218,324
  
  
  
  • The Town of Wales will conduct field data collection and design/engineering work toward the replacement of two culverts on Monson Road and Peck Road over Schoolhouse Brook, a coldwater fishery. Both crossings are in poor condition and currently pose a threat to public health and safety. 
  
  
  
  


• Town of Washington, Johnson Hill Road Culvert Replacement: $70,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Washington will conduct design/engineering work toward the replacement of a deteriorating and undersized culvert on Johnson Hill Road over a tributary to the West Branch of the Westfield River, which is important habitat for rare species.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Westborough, Jackstraw Brook Culvert Replacements: $135,500
  
  
  
  • The Town of Westborough will conduct design/engineering and permitting work toward the replacement of three undersized culverts on Upton Road and Hopkinton Road over Jackstraw Brook, a coldwater fisheries resource, area of critical environmental concern, and outstanding resource water. Flooding has been a recurrent issue at this site.
  
  
  
  


• Town of Williamsburg, Nichols Brook Culvert Replacement: $74,000
  
  
  
  • The Town of Williamsburg will conduct field data collection toward the replacement of an undersized culvert on Old Goshen Road over a branch of Nichols Brook, a coldwater fisheries resource. Flooding has been a recurrent issue at this site. 
  
  
  
  

The Herring River Estuary Restoration Project is also receiving funding through DER’s Priority Projects Program: 

• Friends of Herring River, Herring River Estuary Restoration Project: $200,000
  
  
  
  
  • The Herring River Estuary Restoration project in Wellfleet and Truro is one of the largest tidal estuary restorations ever undertaken in Massachusetts and the North Atlantic coastal region. Once complete, this project will restore up to 890 acres of degraded salt marsh and estuarine habitats, improve fish access to hundreds of acres of ponds, and restore a significant area of shellfish habitat. This award will support administrative, technical, regulatory compliance, outreach, monitoring, data analysis, and project coordination tasks to support the project and project team as construction progresses. 
  
  
  
  

"Funding to replace culverts is vital to communities like Douglas, Mendon, and Wales in my district," said State Senator Ryan Fattman (R-Worcester & Hampden). "This grant opportunity will ensure these towns can make ecological enhancements."  

“Massachusetts’ culverts help us prevent flooding in our communities, reduce the impact of development on our ecosystems, and protect critical water resources that we rely on,” said State Senator Michael Moore (D-2nd Worcester). “I’d like to thank the Healey Administration for these generous grants that will fund much-needed culvert replacements on Flagg Brook in Grafton and Jackstraw Brook in Westborough. This type of state and local partnership helps us tackle important projects like these, and I look forward to continuing my work with the Governor to fund infrastructure that benefits our neighborhoods and ecosystems alike.” 

"I am pleased to learn that two communities in the First Berkshire District, Hinsdale and Savoy, have received vital funding through the Division of Ecological Restoration's Culvert Replacement grant program," said State Representative John Barrett (D-1st Berkshire). “These funds will enable them to undertake critical projects that address infrastructure needs and enhance environmental resilience, which they would not normally be able to address on their own. The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Legislature have prioritized funding this important program. These investments are crucial for the long-term well-being and climate readiness of communities across Massachusetts.” 

“This funding for culvert replacements in Stockbridge and Washington is essential not only for the well-being of these communities, but for the ecological health of the Berkshires as a whole," said State Representative Leigh Davis (D-3rd Berkshire). “I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Division of Ecological Restoration for investing in projects that will strengthen environmental resilience and support the Commonwealth’s climate goals.” 

"The Stream Continuity Program funds important work restoring habitats and improving water quality. The Westborough community is very appreciative of the work at Jackstraw Brook, led by the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration," said State Representative Kate Donaghue (D-19th Worcester). 

“Thank you to the Healey-Driscoll administration for your strong commitment to the Herring River Restoration Project. The Division of Ecological Restoration’s support is helping to return tidal flow to one of Cape Cod’s most significant estuaries, bringing back salt marsh habitat, improving water quality, and restoring vital spawning grounds for river herring and other native species. Thanks to this partnership, a thriving, resilient ecosystem is taking shape once again—guided by science, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future,” said State Representative Hadley Luddy (D-4th Barnstable). 

”These ecological restoration projects represent a crucial investment in the health and resilience of our communities. By upgrading outdated infrastructure and restoring vital habitats, we are safeguarding our environment, strengthening our economy, and ensuring a sustainable future for Massachusetts," said State Representative Todd Smola (R-1st Hampden).