Senator Eldridge and Representative Hogan Announce $314,393 Grant to the Sudbury Assabet Concord (SuAsCo) Natural Climate Solutions Project
The project will identify, assess, and prioritize nature-based solutions and provide critical education and community engagement
Hudson, MA – State Senator Jamie Eldrige (D-Acton) and State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow) are pleased to announce a state grant of $314,393, awarded to the Sudbury-Assabet-Concord (“SuAsCo”) Natural Climate Solutions Project, which benefits Hudson, Framingham, and Natick. The grant was announced on August 30 by the Baker-Polito administration and Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Beth Card.
Administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant offers financial resources to municipalities that are seeking to advance priority climate adaptation actions to address climate change impacts resulting from extreme weather, sea level rise, inland and coastal flooding, severe heat, and other climate impacts.
The state program requires participating municipalities to incorporate its nine core principles, ranging from the development of proactive actions and nature-based solutions to engagements with environmental justice (EJ) populations and more.
The project is built on the success of the MVP Apple Country Natural climate Solutions Project. With other ongoing efforts by advocacy groups in the area, the SuAsCo project will deliver an active and robust community engagement process that centers the voice and participation of vulnerable residents (EJ and CV) while focusing on the assessment and prioritization of Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
Senator Eldridge sent a letter of support to the MVP Program in April, advocating support for the grant application and joining the efforts to assess local ecological resilience while promoting a long-term vision. Senator Eldridge supports the inclusive public involvement, education, and community engagement this project provides. Representative Hogan annually earmarks funds in the state budget for OARS: For the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers.
“Congratulations and sincere thanks to all those involved in making this happen! This critical project restores and enhances local natural features and supports long-term climate resilience and community health. This is especially important in identifying opportunities that prioritize Environmental Justice (EJ) and Climate Vulnerable (CV) populations in the area,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. “I am grateful to the Baker-Polito administration and the EEA for administering the MVP program and awarding the grant, protecting the natural resources in the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers areas.”
"We know that climate change, and the resulting drought, flooding and extreme heat, will continue to affect our rivers in the region and we have seen that some communities and people suffer more than others from extreme weather," said Representative Kate Hogan. "I'm committed to directing funds to help build resilience and ensure that all of our communities are represented when planning for and protecting the important natural resources of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers."
The grant was part of a $32.8 million package awarded by the Baker-Polito administration. The MVP program launched in 2017 and has since continued to make investments in building climate change resilience throughout the Commonwealth.
###
Image courtesy of National Park Service. Original link: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/sudbury-assabet-and-concord-river-conservation-and-outreach.htm
