Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game

This transformative investment of $200M to upgrade undersized, failing culverts will help future-proof our communities + boost biodiversity!

Culverts are key for climate resilience, biodiversity, and public safety.    In 2023, Leominster saw firsthand what can happen when old culverts fail — roads and rails were washed away, isolating communities and disrupting critical emergency services. With our $200 million investment through the Fair Share Amendment, we’re upgrading these vital structures to safeguard our communities and transportation networks against future floods. 

We all deserve to drink clean water, breathe clean air, and live in a community free of pollutants.     Proud that our proposed $559.8 million budget invests in these efforts, ensuring a healthier, cleaner, and safer communities for all Massachusetts residents.

New construction alert! 🚧 Upper Coonamesset River Restoration is the newest #DERPriorityProject to break ground this winter. Last week, DER, state legislators, and partners gathered for a ceremony and site visit, marking the start of an exciting step for this cranberry bog restoration in Falmouth. This project will restore 20 acres of former cranberry bogs into healthy wetlands, remove culverts to improve stream health, increase fish passage, and create public access for recreation. This milestone builds on years of significant restoration work in the watershed, which removed dams and culverts, reconstructed stream channels, and restored wetlands along the lower and middle portions of the Coonamesset River. Now in its final phase, the project is set to bring even greater ecological and recreational benefits from Coonamessett Pond to Vineyard Sound. #EcologicalRestoration #RiverRestoration #CranberryBogRestoration

How’s the Herring River Estuary Restoration going? 🐟 Despite the winter conditions, construction is progressing on the largest tidal restoration in the northeastern U.S. Most excitingly, the permanent bridge has started to take shape! Within the last few months, lots of concrete has been poured to form the southern abutments and set the foundation for the southern bay of the permanent bridge. With the foundation set, precast gate panels (the large concrete rectangle frames shown in the photo) have been installed and the tide gates they will hold will be installed this month. Once the deck beams in place, the bridge deck over the southern bay will start to be formed. Stay tuned for more exciting advancements of the Herring River Estuary Restoration in 2025! #DERPriorityProject #EcologicalRestoration #Wetland

From upgrading aging dams and culverts to strengthening our food security and conserving biodiversity, Governor Healey’s proposed budget equips us with a comprehensive plan to bolster the state’s resilience against climate change.

Construction is well underway to transform Chop Chaque Bogs from retired cranberry farmland into healthy, restored wetlands!🌿 Through an innovative partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game's In-Lieu Fee Program (ILFP), the TOWN OF MASHPEE, and Native Land Conservancy, Inc., this project will bring benefits for biodiversity, water quality, climate resilience, and migratory fish habitat in Mashpee. "This is a shining example of the power of collaboration between federal, state, local, non-profit, and Tribal partners to advance a nature-positive future for Massachusetts. We are proud to administer the In-Lieu Fee Program to support projects like this statewide,” said DFG Commissioner Tom O'Shea. “With a few interventions to kick-start the process, projects like this demonstrate nature’s remarkable ability to heal from human impacts.” Learn more about the unique project here > https://lnkd.in/eix_UDCT #EcologicalRestoration #Partnership #Biodiversity

What could we achieve with $559.8 million in Governor Healey’s proposed state budget? Clean air, energy independence, and resilient infrastructure that keeps Massachusetts strong against climate change.  

Calling all finance professionals 📣 DER is hiring! Want to help make a difference on our planet and play a crucial role in our Division? Join our Fiscal Program as a Procurement Specialist. First consideration will be given to those that apply by January 24th. Learn more and apply here ➡️ https://bit.ly/3DQBn5D DER is also seeking an Ecological Restoration Specialist in our Dam Removal Program. If this is a better fit for you, learn more about this position and apply here ➡️ https://bit.ly/4asMz4v

When culverts are undersized, deteriorating, and perched, not only are they a barrier for fish and wildlife, but they also pose a major risk to public safety. 👎 DER works directly with Massachusetts towns to replace undersized culverts with ones that meet regulatory standards by providing:  💲 Funding opportunities for various phases of culvert replacement.  🧑🏫 In-person trainings to cover the phases of the culvert replacement process. 🔧 Tools and resources to support culvert replacements. Culverts that meet the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards can create climate resilient communities, restore natural stream processes, and are fish and wildlife friendly. Interested and want to learn more? Read about DER’s Stream Continuity Program here - https://bit.ly/3BuBxOM