Awards funded to Milton and other communities to protect coastal water quality

Milton was awarded $56,860

The Massachusetts governor’s office today announced $500,000 in grants to support local efforts to address polluted stormwater runoff to protect coastal water quality and habitat.

The grants, provided through the Office of Coastal Zone Management’s (CZM) Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) Grant Program, were awarded to Barnstable, Milton, Provincetown, Salem, Sandwich and Yarmouth.

“The funding provided through the Coastal Pollutant Remediation grant program helps give municipalities the resources they need to take practical, proactive steps to improve coastal water quality,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through these projects, we are working with coastal communities to ensure cleaner coastal habitats throughout the Commonwealth.”

“Keeping bays and harbors clean and healthy is a priority for our Administration, and addressing pollution problems at the local level is an effective way to reach that goal,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We applaud the commitment of these six communities to reducing runoff pollution and ensuring the Massachusetts coast remains a beautiful and healthy place for residents and visitors to enjoy.”

The goal of CZM’s CPR Grant Program is to improve water quality and protect coastal habitats 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 and ultimately out to sea. Nonpoint source pollution reduces water quality, negatively impacts habitat for coastal wildlife and reduces opportunities to harvest shellfish and swim due to mandated closures.

“Clean coastal waters depend on keeping bacteria and other contaminants from running into rivers and out to the sea,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grants effectively target these contaminants at the source, capturing and treating the runoff from roads, parking lots and other hard surfaces.”

“Our Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grant Program has a long track record of helping communities throughout the coastal watershed take practical steps to improve water quality and protect habitats,” said CZM Director Bruce Carlisle. “The cities and towns that received grants this year show how forward-thinking partnerships make a real difference, helping to prevent contaminants from making their way to the sea.”

Milton was awarded $56,860:

The Town of Milton, in partnership with the Neponset River Watershed Association, will design and construct a storm water treatment system and demonstration rain garden at the Milton Police Station. This project, which builds on work funded through previous CPR grants, will address high levels of bacteria, nutrients and sediments in the Neponset River watershed.