Medford Gets State Grant to Protect Water Quality

Patch File Photo

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration announced Thursday $400,000 in grants to support local efforts to assess and treat non-point source pollution from roadway runoff and boat waste. The grants, provided by the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), were awarded to Fairhaven, Fall River, Kingston, Medford, Milton and Salem.

The City of Medford, in partnership with the Mystic River Watershed Association, will prioritize sites that require action and develop designs for stormwater treatment systems to address roadway-related pollution to the Mystic River, an important habitat for river herring.

“Pollution in Massachusetts waters affects not only the natural resources, but the economy and quality-of-life in our coastal communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These grants will help local officials assess nonpoint source pollution issues and fund on-the-ground projects to improve coastal water quality.”

“It is vitally important that we address the effects of polluted storm runoff and boat waste to ensure the health of the Commonwealth’s citizens, the survival of our native species, and the viability of coastal industries,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Through this grant program, we have been able to work with our municipal partners and invest in real solutions to control nonpoint source contamination along the Massachusetts coast.”

“Massachusetts is proud to be a leader in protecting water quality, which is vital to our coastal communities, environmental health, recreational opportunities and fishing and tourism industries,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “These grants demonstrate the Commonwealth’s continued commitment to supporting local efforts that promote a clean and healthy coast.”

The goal of CZM’s Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) Grant Program is to improve coastal water quality by reducing or eliminating nonpoint sources of pollution—the leading cause of water quality impairment in the nation. This type of pollution primarily occurs when contaminants are picked up by rain, snow melt and other flowing water and carried over land, in groundwater or through drainage systems to the nearest body of water. Boat waste discharges are another important source of nonpoint pollution. Nonpoint pollution impacts water quality and coastal habitat and can lead to closed shellfish beds and swimming beaches, reducing opportunities to harvest shellfish and swim due to mandated closures.

“The Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grant Program continues to be an important and successful partnership between the Commonwealth and its coastal communities to address priority non-point source water quality pollution problems,” said CZM Director Bruce Carlisle. “CZM is pleased to be able to provide the financial and technical support needed to help ensure that communities can make lasting coastal water quality improvements.”