The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced today the awarding of $1,140,515 in matching grants to three municipalities and two community organizations. The funds will support five projects statewide aimed at bolstering the climate resilience of coastal habitats, river and stream floodplains, and related ecosystems.
One of the grant recipients is the Town of Little Compton, which will receive $107,360 to fund two projects: stormwater management, groundwater infiltration, and resilience of wetland habitat, including habitat restoration at Dunderry Brook; and culvert resizing at Meetinghouse Lane.
“Rhode Island’s communities face significant and diverse risks from climate change,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Rising seas, increased damage from storm events, flooding, and erosion all have obvious and measurable impacts in our neighborhoods. These grants made possible by the voter-approved Green Bond support projects that strengthen the resilience of our communities. We urge Rhode Island voters to approve Question 4 in November.”
These grants, funded through the Climate Resilience Fund (CRF), are part of a broader effort to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Rhode Island’s communities and environment. The CRF, established through the 2018 Green Economy and Clean Water Bond, underscores the state’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by rising sea levels, increased storm damage, flooding, and erosion.
“Rhode Island is increasingly contending with impacts from climate change, from flooding to coastal erosion, which put our communities, infrastructure, and natural systems at risk,” said RI Chief Resilience Officer Kimberly Korioth. “We remain committed to minimizing climate change impacts and are proud to be working with municipalities and organizations to advance climate resilience projects statewide.”
Governor Dan McKee emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, “Through our work to support climate change resiliency projects in local communities, Rhode Island continues to be a leader in climate change action. Together we are taking collective action to protect both our communities and environment from the negative impacts of climate change so that we have a resilient Ocean State for future generations.”
The awarded projects will implement a range of green infrastructure solutions, including stormwater detention systems, tree box filters, and curb inlet planters. These projects are expected to not only mitigate flood and heat risks but also enhance the ecological health of the affected areas. DEM Director Terry Gray highlighted the significance of these projects, stating, “Rhode Island’s communities face significant and diverse risks from climate change. Rising seas, increased damage from storm events, flooding, and erosion all have obvious and measurable impacts in our neighborhoods. These grants made possible by the voter-approved Green Bond support projects that strengthen the resilience of our communities. We urge Rhode Island voters to approve Question 4 in November.”
The grants are distributed as follows:
* City of Pawtucket: $350,000 for green infrastructure in the Daggett Avenue neighborhood to address flood and heat reduction.
* Groundwork RI: $214,000 for stormwater detention and green infrastructure at the West End Compost Hub facility.
* Little Compton allocated $107,360 for stormwater management, groundwater infiltration, and wetland habitat resilience, including restoration at Dunderry Brook and culvert resizing on Meetinghouse Lane.
The Town of Richmond will receive $170,200 for culvert resizing at Carolina Nooseneck Road to reduce flooding, as well as grassland restoration at Beaver River Park and the Richmond Heritage Trail for enhanced drought tolerance and improved pollinator habitat. The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council will receive $298,955 for green infrastructure and erosion control at the Groden Center, preserving access to the Woonasquatucket River Greenway. Grant applications underwent a rigorous evaluation process by a committee comprising members from DEM, the RI Infrastructure Bank, the RI Coastal Resources Management Council, the RI Department of Health, and the RI Division of Statewide Planning.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
