Coventry Gets $25K Grant To Address Climate Change Locally

COVENTRY, RI — Thirteen projects, including one in Coventry, will receive grant funding for projects addressing climate change, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC).

The 13 projects were part of the first round of the 2024 Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience (OSCAR) Fund Program, which allocated $2 million for "adaptation and resilience projects that protect or enhance coastal or riverine habitats to address the impacts of climate change."

"Rhode Island is confronting significant and varied impacts from climate change, particularly coastal threats like sea level rise and storm surge along our over 400 miles of coastline," DEM Director Terry Gray said. "These OSCAR grants are providing funding to protect and strengthen the vital functions that coastal and riverine habitats play in mitigating the most severe impacts of climate change in our communities."

Coventry received a $275,000 grant. With the money, town officials will retain consultants to design replacements of two undersized culverts that are associated with repeated riverine flooding. According to town officials, the project will focus on open-bottom culvert designs that will enhance the passage of aquatic organisms.

The targeted locations involve crossings of the Flat River at Maple Valley Road and at Franklin Road. The new designs will enhance resiliency to the increased frequency and size of rainstorms, will reduce flooding impacts including erosion, and will enhance protection of water quality and aquatic habitat, town officials said.

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