Bill Passed by MA Senate Includes Dredging Funds

Bill Passed by MA Senate Includes Dredging Funds

The Massachusetts Senate last week unanimously passed a bill providing for the preservation and improvement of waterways, land, parks and clean energy in the Commonwealth.

According to Senator Stan Rosenberg, this legislation, which authorizes a $1.9 billion, 4-year capital plan, among other includes:

  • $1.625 million for a conservation district grant program;
  • $20 million for the design, construction, reconstruction, repair or removal of state-owned dams;
  • $68.9 million for the design, construction, reconstruction, improvement or rehabilitation of coastal and inland waterways projects;
  • $20 million for the dredging of coastal public harbors;
  • $10 million for the design, construction, reconstruction, repair, improvement, or rehabilitation of flood control facilities and water resource protection related facilities;
  • $5 million for a matching grant program for the repair, construction, and modernization of equipment and capital improvements of marine industrial infrastructure located in designated port areas or maritime industrial zones;
  • $28.6 million for the design, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, repair or removal of municipally-owned dams and for inland-flood control projects;
  • $129 million for coastal facilities improvements in designated and non-designated port areas;
  • $22.5 million for integrated energy and environmental projects;
  • $120 million for the design, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or removal of coastal infrastructure.

The funds are expected to cover $100 million in dredging of Boston and New Bedford Harbors and another $100 million for the Department of Conservation and Recreation for the design, construction and preservation of forests, parks, harbor island and recreational facilities, reported AP.

The Senate and House will now produce a compromise bill for final passage and consideration of the Governor.

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, July 15, 2014