Boston (December 16, 2022) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today celebrated the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s announcement awarding $2.3 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) and $2 million to the Town of Braintree to protect fish habitats in coastal communities. The grant awarded to IRWA will help restore access to 238 miles of habitat for river herring, American shad, and American eel in the Ipswich and Parker River watersheds and fund the development of a plan to ameliorate negative environmental impacts from five man-made dams in the region. The grant awarded to Braintree will advance flood mitigation efforts and fund the removal of two dams in the Monatiquot River watershed, which will create immediate habitat access for alewives and other migratory species.

“Habitat resiliency is climate resiliency. These grants will go a long way in supporting Massachusetts stakeholders and local officials as they fight to protect fish habitats and our waterways,” said Senator Markey. “From the Great Marsh, which serves as a critical buffer in protecting against coastal flooding and erosion, to the Monatiquot River watershed, these shared efforts also make good on our commitments to protect Massachusetts’ coastal communities in the fight against the climate crisis.”

In September, Senator Markey wrote to NOAA in support of the IRWA’s grant application.

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