$42.5 Million Coming to Cape for Water Resource Projects BARNSTABLE — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service recently announced that it will invest $42.5 million in 21 projects that will restore and protect water quality on Cape Cod.
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p to $29 million will be used for the first phase of the Herring River salt marsh restoration project in Wellfleet that aims to eventually restore 1,100 acres of degraded salt marsh. The first step in the project is to replace the existing culverts at the Chequessett Neck Road bridge, along with other structural elements. Adaptive management measures will be used to monitor and adjust increases in tidal flow gradually. The 21 projects are part of the Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project. The USDA agency will spend approximately $6,427,000 on 10 stormwater projects that will restore 1,115 acres; $4,030,500 on seven fish passage improvements that will restore 1,643 acres; and $31,738,500 on four salt marsh restoration projects that will restore 989 acres. The funding will cover 75% of the construction costs while also providing money for design and project administration. The remaining 25% of the construction cost is the responsibility of the town and must come from a non-federal source. The costs are estimated and are subject to change. Twelve Cape towns will benefit in what is the first of a five-year effort. The only towns without projects in the first year are Falmouth, Harwich and Yarmouth. The funding is provided through the USDA
MAY, 2022
Water rushes underneath the Chequessett Neck Road bridge in Wellfleet. The bridge and tidal gates will be replaced as part of a 1,100-acre salt marsh rehabilitation project, funded largely by state and federal money. Mary Ann Bragg/Provincetown Banner
agency’s watershed and flood prevention operations program. The agency worked with the Cape Cod Conservation District, Barnstable County Commissioners, the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and all 15 Cape Cod towns to identify project sites. The Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project was developed by the conservation district continued on page 70
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