Nahant and Marblehead are among the communities getting an influx of funding from Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration that seeks to boost resilience among coastal communities.
In all, 27 projects from 24 communities will share $12.6 million in funding, announced Monday to coincide with the state’s celebration of Climate Week. Nahant will receive close to $100,000 while Marblehead will get more than $500,000.
Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), who represents both Nahant and Marblehead, said he was grateful the funding showed coastal resilience is a priority for both towns and the state.
“We must continue to prepare for the devastating effects of climate change across the state but in particular in our vulnerable coastal communities,” he said. “I applaud both towns and the Baker administration for making these projects a priority.”
In Nahant, the funds, which total $96,900, will go to alternative strategies for shore and coastal bank protection at Forty Steps Beach, the statement said. The project will develop a conceptual design for the preferred alternative and initiate permitting discussions with agencies.
The town will match 25 percent of the funds, bringing the total to $129,500.
“Forty Steps Beach is a true gem. We thank the Baker-Polito administration and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for supporting our request, and for their foresight in protecting the state’s natural resources,” said Nahant Town Administrator Antonio Barletta. “This grant will allow us to design a project that can be permitted and will provide future resiliency against rising sea levels.”
Marblehead received $523,220 in the grant, and the funding is expected to go toward public access and protection for the Marblehead Municipal Light Department and adjoining public lands. The town will continue public outreach, advance design plans, and begin permitting for infrastructure retrofits to reduce flooding impacts along the shoreline encompassing the Municipal Light Department and adjacent properties.
Marblehead Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer did not return a request for comment Tuesday evening.
In a statement, Baker said coastal communities are increasingly at risk due to coastal storms and climate change and the funding reflects his administration’s attention to the issue.
“We have been focused on investing in climate change solutions since taking office, and we commend local leaders for their forward-thinking planning and action with these Coastal Resilience Grant projects,” Baker said.
Charlie McKenna can be reached at [email protected].