Federal Grant Award Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 1 awarded $909,800 to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs through the National Estuary Program (CFDA 66.456) cooperative agreement, effective April 1, 2026, with a completion date of December 31, 2030. This award supports implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) through the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program's (BBNEP) Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), with the primary objective of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Buzzards Bay estuary while supporting sustainable human uses.

The funding delivers two primary products and services: (1) ongoing support for the Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative, and (2) a municipal infrastructure grant program providing subawards to support eligible projects including stormwater facility feasibility assessments, design and construction; Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) compliance activities; innovative wastewater treatment facility retrofits; wetland and habitat restoration; migratory fish passage improvements; boat pump-out facilities; alternative septic systems; nutrient loading mitigation; and land preservation. The BBNEP serves as the subrecipient, distributing subawards to municipalities and project partners to implement tasks outlined in the IIJA workplan across the Buzzards Bay watershed.