Veterans Memorial Lagoon & South River Improvement Project Massachusetts Environmental trust (MET) Grant Award Announcement

MET Grant

The Town of Marshfield working with State and Local partners, Massachusetts Department of Ecological Restoration, Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries, Trustees of Veterans Memorial Park and the North and South Rivers Watershed Association initiated a project to improve the South River and the Veterans Memorial Lagoon.  The overall project goals are three fold:  1) improve fish passage, 2) enhance and maintain Veterans memorial features within the lagoon and river and 3) reduce upstream flood issues.  The removal of the dam at the South River just upstream of the Rt. 3A bridge will significantly enhance fish passage a goal consistent with the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) Grant Program.  The MET Grant Program accumulates grant funds from the purchase of license plates highlighting Massachusetts wildlife and historic preservation.  Public purchase of these plates has helped fund numerous projects over the years including a $10,000 grant award supporting Phase III of the Veterans Memorial Lagoon and South River Improvement Project in Marshfield.  See except of the MET press release below or visit these links to the FY21 MET Letter from the Governor and FY21 MET Grant Press Release for additional information.

Town of Marshfield - $10,000 was awarded for final design, permitting and construction bid documents as part of the Veterans Memorial Park and South River Improvement Project to reconnect the South River and improve fish passage by removing the existing dam and enhance public awareness of the South River and its wildlife. The South River is home to multiple species with special status and significance and has been documented as spawning and nursery habitat for seven diadromous fish species including Alewife, Blueback herring, American shad, American eel and Sea lamprey.  The removal of the dam is a Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) priority project.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Michael A. Maresco/Town Administrator, Carin Paulette/Veterans Agent, Rod Procaccino/Town Engineer or Bill Grafton/Conservation Administrator.