The town of braintree, massachusetts, will be awarded $2,000,000 for two DAM removals in the monatiquot river watershed

The Town of Braintree, Massachusetts will receive a $2 million cooperative agreement award from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under the Habitat Conservation (CFDA 11.463) federal grant program. The funding will support two dam removal projects in the Monatiquot River watershed between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2026. Specifically, the Town will completely remove two dams and restore river channels, improving habitat connectivity for fish and other aquatic species. Concurrently, flood risks will be reduced and contaminated sediments remediated. Outreach and public access improvements including a new trail are also part of the scope of work. The award aligns with the program's goals of protecting and restoring coastal and marine habitats through on-the-ground restoration activities.

The work would create immediate access for alewives and other diadromous species as well as increase the resilience of an underserved community. The projects will completely remove the dams and restore the river channel through the former impoundment. The removals parallel ongoing efforts to redevelop an adjacent degraded industrial site into waterfront access for the public. DAM removal will reduce the flood elevation by up to 9 feet, eliminate the threat DAM failure poses to a commuter railroad and highway, and coincide with the removal of contaminated sediments in the river. Outreach is planned for the community and a publicly accessible trail will be created to provide access to the river.