Two Dam Removal Projects on Shawsheen River Funded

The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced $72,000 in state grant funds for river restoration efforts in Andover, Freetown, and Pelham, matched by more than $1.1 million in federal grants.

The funds have been awarded to implement ongoing projects coordinated by the Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration.

“It is important to remove aging and unsafe dams that pose a risk to public health, public safety and key economic centers,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement. “These state and federal funds will enable rivers to be restored to their natural state, reducing flooding risks and improving ecological conditions.”

Town of Andover and Atria Senior Living Inc. - $25,000 awarded to the Town of Andover and $12,000 to Atria Senior Living, Inc. for two dam removal projects on the Shawsheen River in Andover.

These funds wi;; help to match $789,000 from the Department of Interior’s Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief-Coastal Resilience Grant program via the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The Shawsheen River is a tributary of the Merrimack River, and removal of the dams will restore passage for resident and migratory fish and improve public safety. Both dams exacerbate flooding and are in various stages of disrepair.

“Ecological restoration projects reduce flood impacts, increase property values, and assist in the recovery of commercially and recreationally important fisheries,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton in a statement. “The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to conserving the Commonwealth’s land and wildlife, as well as proactively taking steps to increase our resilience to the effects of climate change.”

Each of the grants was awarded to projects previously designated as part of the DER’s Priority Projects Program. DER pursues wetland and river restoration, urban river revitalization, and stream flow restoration projects that present the greatest benefit to the Commonwealth, ecologically, socially and economically.

Investments in ecological restoration projects produce an average employment demand of 12.5 jobs and $1.75 million in total economic output for each $1 million spent, according to state officials.

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