Amherst Awarded Nearly $300K Grant for Improving Infrastructure Within the Fort River Watershed
New Culvert Middle Street - Image courtesy Town of Amherst
Press Release
AMHERST, MA – The Town of Amherst has been awarded a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant of $296,000 to improve infrastructure within the Fort River Watershed which will promote flood resilience, enhance wildlife passage, and improve water quality for recreational use. The grant was part of the Healey-Driscoll Administration award of $45 million to support 97 climate resilience projects across Massachusetts through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA’s) new Environment & Climate (ECO) One Stop program.
“We are grateful for the Governor’s continuing commitment to investing in climate resiliency projects in the Town of Amherst,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “This significant grant will pay for important work on two culverts in environmentally sensitive areas in South Amherst.”
This grant funding will be used to complete the design and permitting for two undersized and failing culverts, one located on West Pomeroy Lane over an unnamed stream and the other on Potwine Lane over Plum Brook. They will be replaced with new concrete box culverts with natural streambeds. This will increase the watershed’s capacity to handle extreme weather events, reducing flood risks to communities and infrastructure. The design will also meet the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards to promote safe passage for fish and wildlife.
“The MVP Action Grant program has been a valuable asset to the Town, allowing us to make meaningful improvements to enhance resilience in Amherst,” said Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Amy Rusiecki. “This project builds upon two prior MVP Action Grants, which funded the design, permitting and construction of two culverts within the Fort River watershed. We are pleased that, with this state support, we can continue this effort.”
This grant builds on previous and current projects including:
- In 2023, the Town was awarded an MVP Action Grant of $169,250 to design and permit the replacement of three undersized, damaged culverts.
- In 2024, the Town was awarded an MVP Action Grant of $1.2 million to replace two of these culverts, located on Middle Street over Plum Brook and Potwine Lane over Muddy Brook. The construction and replacement of these culverts was completed in 2025.
- In 2025, the Town was awarded an MVP Action Grant of $427,700 to complete an assessment of all culverts and bridges in the Fort River Watershed and create a plan for updating this infrastructure. This Fort River Watershed Culvert Assessment & Prioritization Plan project is currently being done in partnership with the Towns of Belchertown, Hadley, Pelham, and Shutesbury along with numerous other regional partners.
- In 2026, the Town was awarded a MassDOT Community Culvert Program Grant to design and permit the replacement of an undersized, damaged culvert on Sunderland Road over the Eastman Brook in North Amherst. The design will be led by a MassDOT-approved engineering firm at no cost to the Town.
“As Amherst and neighboring communities continue advancing the Fort River Watershed Culvert Assessment & Prioritization Plan, I’m glad to see this work supported through another Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant,” said State Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “This investment strengthens flood resilience, protects water quality, and reflects the kind of regional collaboration our rural communities depend on.”
The Fort River helps define South Amherst with rich farmland, extensive wetlands, and excellent wildlife habitat. This system is considered one of the most important watersheds state-wide for the diversity of freshwater mussels and includes one Federally endangered species. Its watershed contains all the reservoirs for the town of Amherst, and the origin of the river itself is the Intake Reservoir in Pelham.
“I am delighted that the Town of Amherst has secured a highly competitive state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant to continue its work to improve flood resiliency and water quality in the Fort River watershed,” said State Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst). “The MVP program is a critical resource for communities across the commonwealth promoting sustainability and resilience as we face increasing challenges under climate change. I am deeply grateful to our partners in the Healey-Driscoll administration and in the legislature for their continued support.”
Recent heavy rains and flooding have compromised one of the culverts this grant is set to support: the culvert on Potwine Lane over Plum Brook. This failed culvert resulted in part of the road being temporarily closed and inaccessible, causing an inconvenience to residents in the neighborhood, community members who play at the Plum Brook soccer fields, and wildlife whose path has been disrupted. This is an example of why the Town is prioritizing the improvement of this infrastructure. In the meantime, the Department of Public Works is hoping to make temporary repairs later this fall after completing the required permitting.
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program is a partnership between state and local communities to build climate resilience through grant-funded projects. Communities start with a planning grant, become an MVP-certified community, and then are eligible for action grant funding. Learn more about the MVP program.
CONTACT:
Samantha Giffen
Communications Manager, Town of Amherst
