Massachusetts Offers Grants for Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal

Massachusetts Directs Funding Toward Aging Dams and Seawalls as Coastal Climate Pressures Mount

Communities in Massachusetts rely on dams, seawalls, and levees that protect people, property, and infrastructure and are among the first structures impacted by climate change.

Mass.gov reported details of the Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Grant Program, which targets outdated inland flood control systems, coastal protection barriers, and decaying dams.

Dams, seawalls, and levees remain among the first lines of defense for Massachusetts neighborhoods, yet many structures no longer serve any functional public purpose. The grant program seeks to address both sides of this environmental equation by funding structural renovations for communities prioritizing flood resilience, alongside targeted removals for towns looking to restore natural river flows.

Firth of clyde seawall repair using precast concrete sections on largs promenade ayrshire scotland uk

Application Rules and the ECO One Stop Process

Local government bodies and eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations can submit proposals for engineering, permitting, and construction grants on an annual, competitive basis. Successful applicants typically secure funding for a contract period spanning two fiscal years. Before any money changes hands, however, prospective grantees must clear specific legal hurdles.

Applicants must prove they possess the legal authority to access the land and the physical structure for all project phases. Municipalities and organizations applying specifically for construction grants must submit their projects to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office for regulatory review prior to submitting an application through the state portal.

The grant administration process runs through the ECO One Stop platform, a centralized system designed to streamline climate and environmental resilience applications across Massachusetts agencies. While official grant rounds typically open during the early winter months, the state encourages interested applicants to participate in an optional Expression of Interest period during the early fall. Past applicants can manage submissions through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs online Grant Management System, while template documents and Request for Responses remain accessible on the state procurement platform COMMBUYS under the keyword search for ECO One Stop.

Funding for the initiative traces back to authorization granted under St. 2018, c. 209, commonly known as the Commonwealth’s 2018 Environmental Bond Bill. Grants issued under this specific legislative authority are exempt from certain standard regulatory requirements, including the provisions outlined in M.G.L. c. 25, § 2III or 301 CMR 15.00, simplifying the path from design to shovel-ready construction.