'Huge win': South Shore communities to get millions for coastal infrastructure projects

Several South Shore communities will receive a total of nearly $4.3 million in state money to help prepare for severe storms and alleviate the harsh impacts of climate change along the coast.

Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration this week announced $12.6 million in grants through the state's Coastal Resilience Grant Program to support local planning and shoreline management projects.

More: It’s everywhere: Sea-level rise’s surprising reach damaging more than East Coast shoreline

State Sen. Patrick O'Connor, a Weymouth Republican, said the money is a "huge win" for the region.

“It goes to show that there’s a lot of emphasis from the state to do as much as we can as financial partners because these projects are incredibly expensive,” O’Connor said. “A lot of this will protect the character of the South Shore and who we are. Our coast is a huge identity factor for why people move here and decide to stay here, and the money will go to projects that are beneficial to the people who recreate the beaches, live along the coast and general infrastructure.”

On the South Shore, the largest grant is going to Scituate, which will receive just shy of $2 million for a North Scituate beach nourishment project. The money will allow the town to prepare final design plans and contract documents and construct a portion of the project.

Duxbury Beach Reservation Inc., the nonprofit that owns Duxbury Beach, will receive $1.8 million for a beach and dune nourishment project in front of the Duxbury Pavilion. The project will protect against storm damage and help with flood control in Duxbury Bay.

The organization will also receive about $253,000 to run a monitoring program of cobble berms to better understand their design and performance. The group will work with Braintree, Chilmark, Falmouth and Winthrop, as well as the Stone Living Lab, for the project.

More: 'We want the harbor cinema back': There's a plan to revamp Scituate's movie theater

Cohasset will receive nearly $161,925 to assess the vulnerability of its wastewater treatment plant, pump station at Jacob’s Meadow and other public infrastructure within Cohasset Cove and the James Brook Watershed. The project will develop resiliency strategies to mitigate flooding risks.

Marshfield and Duxbury will receive nearly $71,000 to continue permitting for a project to pursue beach and dune nourishment at vulnerable coastal beaches along the towns' east-facing shorelines. The towns will also continue public outreach to update the communities on the project and its public benefits.

O'Connor said the money, combined with grants through the state's Dam and Seawall Program, mark some of the state's largest coastal investments for the South Shore.

Last week, the state announced Scituate will receive $3 million to reconstruct a segment of the Oceanside Drive sea wall and nearly $3 million for a segment of sea wall at Oceanside Drive and Turner Road.

Hull will also receive $3 million for repairs to the sea wall  at Nantasket Avenue.

O'Connor said the state's investments are a testament to the expertise of local officials who oversee their communities' coastal infrastructure.

"It's a very competitive process, and I'm very thrilled to see the South Shore got so much attention," he said.

More: Weymouth officials say they won't supply water for proposed 99-room hotel in Union Point

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer. 

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: South Shore communities to get millions for coastal infrastructure