Plymouth and Duxbury get grants for coastal pollution projects

Funds will tackle erosion and stormwater issues

Money for for fighting coastal pillution is headed Plymouth’s and Duxbury’s way thanks to grants from the Massachusetts Department of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

 Plymouth got $97,383 to tackle erosion problems at Great Herring Pond. According to a press release, high levels of sediment are being carried into the pond via runoff from a nearby neighborhood. The pond flows directly to the Cape Cod Canal and provides important habitat for two species of herring – blueback and alewife – that are listed as a federal species of concern. The town of Plymouth will kick in a matching grant of $97,383.

“Great Herring Pond is one of the largest ponds in Southeastern Massachusetts and I want to thank Secretary Sullivan and the town of Plymouth for recognizing the importance in maintaining and improving the overall health of the pond and its unique marine life,” said Senate President Therese Murray.

Duxbury is in line for a $121,386 grant that will pay for stormwater management systems at three locations to address pollution flowing to Kingston Bay and the Nook. Duxbury will add an additional $40,462 for the project.

The two grants  are part of $400,000 in funding through the Coastal Pollution Remediation (CPR) grant program for five projects designed to protect Massachusetts coastal waters. Hingham, Ipswich and Marshfield also received money.