Coonamesset River Restoration ; Hurricane Sandy

This is an announcement for issuing a single source financial assistance award to the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game ¿ Division of Ecological Restoration (MADER). This announcement is for notification purposes only. The intent of the award to be implemented in Falmouth, Massachusetts is to remove two small dams, restore a former commercial cranberry bog to natural wetland and riverine habitats, and replace an undersized and failing stream crossing (culverts) on a heavily traveled road with a larger, safer structure. The proposed project complements the first dam removal on the Coonamessett River that was completed in 2017, and includes the removal of the second dam from the ocean, replacement of the failing John Parker Road/Coonamessett River crossing, and restoration of floodplain wetlands. The existing road crossing consists of three two-foot diameter culverts, two of which have collapsed and no longer function. When complete, the entire project will provide improved public safety and enhanced infrastructure resiliency, while concurrently providing flood protection for the road, improved water quality, and restored fish passage. The dam removal and the replaced stream crossing will provide full access for migratory (alewife, blueback herring, American eel) and resident fish to 2.2 miles of free-flowing river, provide fish access to 158 acres of pond habitat for spawning under a range of flow conditions, restore 4,600 feet of stream channel, and restore 56 acres of wetlands.