City of Salem Receives Climate Change Adaptation Grant

The City of Salem has received a $345,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to start engineering and design phase work for the relocation of a sanitary sewer trunk pipe that currently runs through Salem Harbor off of the Willow Avenue beach. The pipe is a significant hazard and its relocation is in alignment with the City’s Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan.

“This funding will help address a critical sewer trunk line impacted by rising tides in South Salem,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “We are very excited about putting our climate change and resiliency planning efforts into action and are grateful to the Baker/Polito Administration for their help funding this important initiative and greatly appreciate the support of Representative Tucker and Senator Lovely advocating for this project.”

To participate in the MVP program, communities first apply for Planning Grants, which are used to complete a community-based workshop process to identify key climate-related hazards, vulnerabilities and strengths, and prioritize next steps to address climate change impacts. Upon successful completion of the planning process, municipalities are designated as a “Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program community.” Designated MVP communities can then apply for MVP Action Grants to implement key priorities and projects identified through the planning process. These projects include follow-up vulnerability assessments, design studies, local bylaws and ordinances, redesigns and retrofits, natural infrastructure and storm protection, and education and outreach.