Funding for two projects to make repairs to structures that protect the Cape Ann coastline has been canceled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The sudden reversal on planned federal funding would mean the loss of $2.76 million for Rockport’s seawall repair project at Long Beach and $383,182 for repairs of a stone barrier at Gloucester’s Cressy Beach. Both were damaged during storms on March 2-3, 2018, which led to the FEMA oversight.
Rockport Town Administrator Mitch Vieira said the town is not giving up on seeking federal funding to fix the nearly 100-year-old seawall.
“Although the notice from FEMA is a departure from our anticipated process for the project, the town will continue to advocate for the continuation of FEMA funding with and through (the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency) and will engage fully with our state and federal delegations for assistance,” Vieira said.
In the meantime, Gov. Maura Healey is demanding FEMA rescind its decision to effectively cancel more than $7 million in total federal disaster recovery funding for communities in Massachusetts.
“Just weeks after President Trump rejected disaster relief for Massachusetts communities impacted by this winter’s storms, he’s now threatening to terminate funding that cities and towns have been relying on for years to advance critical coastal infrastructure repair projects,” Healey said. “This makes no sense and is making all of our communities less safe.
“I urge FEMA to reverse this decision and make sure this funding continues to flow to our municipalities as promised so that they can protect their residents and infrastructure.”
U.S Sens. Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren and U.S. Reps. Bill Keating and Stephen Lynch, all Massachusetts Democrats, are also asking the Trump administration to reinstate the funding.
“The decision to cancel these ongoing disaster recovery projects is arbitrary, reckless, and harmful,” said the lawmakers. “FEMA’s purpose should be to help communities recover after major disasters, and that is not a promise being upheld today. We urge FEMA to restore this funding, so our coasts and communities are adequately protected from extreme weather.”
Other projects to be impacted by the clawback of federal disaster recovery funding include a $71,500 appropriation to Nahant for repairs to the seawall and beach access stairs at 40 Steps Beach, and projects in Marshfield, Hull, Quincy and Scituate.
Vieira said the most recent estimate for the seawall project at Long Beach amounts to approximately $4 million but that cost estimate is being updated as the town develops an engineering contract for the work.
“The town’s local share of the project that was allocated at a previous Town Meeting of $1.3 million remains unimpacted by this current decision and the town is continuing to develop final design for construction,” Vieira said.
Vieira said the town plans to seek alternative funding sources for the project.
Earlier this spring, the Rockport Conservation Commission hosted a 90-minute public hearing in response to a notice of intent from Amesbury-based GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. regarding the $4.1 million Long Beach Seawall FEMA Disaster Relief Project.
Conservation Agent John Lopez said plans call for reconstruction of about 350 linear feet of the seawall built in the 1930s and approximately 43 linear feet at the wall’s westerly end.
Repair plans call for building a concrete footing beneath the wall, with temporary sheeting to be placed at the site to protect the construction work. In addition, supporting stones are expected to be removed during the work but later replaced. A stairway and sections of the damaged wall are also to be replaced.
Vieira said the town’s obligation is for 25% of the cost of the final project.
Town Meeting, in 2024, agreed to pay the town’s share of the project, up to $1.3 million, with FEMA previously funding approximately $2.8 million.
Robert Craig, Rockport’s special project and grants manager, said earlier this year that work on the project was expected to begin this coming “off season,” pending securing all remaining permits and after the town was slated to complete a “successful bidding process.”
Stephen Hagan may be contacted at 978-675-2708, or shagan@gloucestertimes.com.