Senator Baddour Announces $2 Million in Grants to Fund 11 Projects Targeting Nonpoint Source Pollution
Amesbury’s Lake Attitash Targeted for Pollution Prevention
October 20, 2010 – Continuing their efforts to promote environmental stewardship, Representative Michael A. Costello (D-Newburyport) and Senator Steven A. Baddour (D-Methuen) joined the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to announce that the Lake Attitash Watershed has been recommended for $146,040 in funding as part of the federal fiscal year 2011 Section 319 Nonpoint Source Competitive Grant Program. Other projects included in the $2 million grant program are based in the following communities: Barnstable County; Braintree; Great Barrington; Lexington; Sherborn; Tewksbury; West Brookfield; and Westport; as well as the Upper Charles River area in MetroWest; and the Montachusett area of central Massachusetts.
The projects will help to protect Massachusetts’ water resources by restoring and preserving watershed areas, constructing storm-water treatment systems, demonstrating innovative technologies, and educating the public on how to protect sensitive natural resources. Recipients include municipalities, county governments, regional planning agencies, and watershed groups.
“This grant from MassDEP is a great step in the right direction in restoring the Lake Attitash Watershed by making it safer and usable for recreational activity in Amesbury,” Senator Steven A. Baddour said.
“Lake Attitash is a valuable natural resource. These funds will help protect, preserve and enhance the water supply so that it can be enjoyed by the people of Amesbury for years to come,” said Representative Michael A. Costello (D – Newburyport).
The 319 grant program focuses on implementation of measures to control nonpoint sources (NPS) of water pollution. NPS pollution is caused by diffuse sources that are not regulated and are normally associated with precipitation and runoff from the land or infiltration into the soil. Common types of NPS pollution include phosphorus and nitrogen from lawn and garden fertilizers, bacteria from pet waste and waterfowl, oil and grease from parking lots and roadways, and sediment from construction activities and soil erosion.
Each of these projects was reviewed and approved by MassDEP’s regional staff, the MassDEP/Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) Proposal Review Committee, and the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Funding for the projects will be available this fall.
MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.
A full listing of recommended projects follows below:
2011 Section 319 NPS Grant Projects
A 40% non-federal match is required for all projects
Project name: Lake Attitash Watershed Restoration
Project applicant: Town of Amesbury
EOEEA Watershed: Merrimack
319 request: $146,040 Project total: $244,990
Project name: Operation and Maintenance of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center
Project applicant: Barnstable County Dept. of Health and the Environment
EOEEA Watershed: Statewide
319 request: $66,600 Project total: $111,764
Project name: Sunset Lake Watershed Stormwater Best Management Practices
Project applicant: Town of Braintree
EOEEA Watershed: Boston Harbor
319 request: $89,100 Project total: $148,510
Project name: Online Phosphorus Trading System
Project applicant: Charles River Watershed Association (Bellingham, Franklin and Milford)
EOEEA Watershed: Upper Charles
319 request: $107,614 Project total: $180,614
Project name: Castle Hill Avenue Storm Drainage Improvements
Project applicant: Town of Great Barrington
EOEEA Watershed: Housatonic
319 request: $266,500 Project total: $448,330
Project name: Water Quality Improvements of Vine Brook and Old Reservoir Recreational Beach
Project applicant: Town of Lexington
EOEEA Watershed: Shawsheen
319 request: $332,930 Project total: $832,325
Project name: Storm Water Pollution Reduction in the Montachusett Region's Millers River Watershed Area
Project applicant: Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (Athol, Gardner, Petersham, Phillipston, Templeton, Hubbardston, and Royalston)
EOEEA Watershed: Millers
319 request: $87,750 Project total: $146,250
Project name: Farm Pond Stormwater Best Management Practices Implementation Program
Project applicant: Town of Sherborn
EOEEA Watershed: Charles
319 request: $45,300 Project total: $75,600
Project name: Long Pond Watershed Non-Point Source Abatement
Project applicant: Town of Tewksbury
EOEEA Watershed: Shawsheen
319 request: $269,148 Project total: $450,000
Project name: Improvement to Lake Wickaboag Sediment Best Management Practices at Lakeview Avenue
Project applicant: Town of West Brookfield
EOEEA Watershed: Chicopee
319 request: $388,900 Project total: $674,700
Project name: Westport Middle School Stormwater Best Management Practices Implementation
Project applicant: Town of Westport
EOEEA Watershed: Buzzards Bay
319 request: $234,096 Project total: $390,160
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