Town of Groveland, Massachusetts Receives $749,150 Hazard Mitigation Program Grant
Release Date: October 10, 2000
Release Number: R1-00-Grovelnd
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Boston, MA -- The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that the Town of Groveland has received a grant totaling $733,480 from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for the Main Street Drainage project. FEMA will provide $565,780 in federal funding with a matching local contribution of $ 183,370.
The drainage project will alleviate the repeated flooding of commercial properties, infrastructure and residential properties along sections of Marjorie Street, King Street and Main Street. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program makes it possible to install culverts, improve existing roadways and upgrade the existing storm drain system that flows westerly and discharges in the Merrimack River.
"These mitigation funds will ensure natural resource protection by eliminating the discharge of excess storm water that flows into the Merrimack River," said Department of Environmental Management Commissioner Peter C. Webber. "The local businesses and residents in this area will also greatly benefit by no longer having to deal with flooding to their properties after every rain storm."
HMGP is designed to help local communities with projects that would minimize or eliminate the risk of damages from future natural hazards, such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods or winter storms. The program is funded by FEMA, and administered in Massachusetts by MEMA and DEM.
"This program is a great example of government agencies working together to help this local community and their citizens," said MEMA Director Steve McGrail. "This drainage project will not only save lives and protect property, it helps to stabilize the effects of disasters on Groveland business community."
Mitigation is the cornerstone of FEMA's mission, it provides communities with funding up to 75% of the total cost ,for the implementation of cost effective measures that will prevent the damage-repair-damage cycle.
"These cost effective mitigation measures assist the Town of Groveland to reduce or eliminate residential damages and property risks that are caused by disaster. Using common sense approaches like repairing or replacing culverts and storm drains will save lives, with every dollar we spend on prevention, we saved two dollars in damages", said Setti D. Warren, Regional Director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's office in Boston.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the state agency responsible for coordinating state, local and federal resources to protect the public during disasters and emergencies. MEMA helps develop plans for effective response to all hazards, trains emergency personnel, provides information to families and communities, and assists in recovery from disaster losses.
The state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is the state agency responsible for assisting local communities in developing long term plans for mitigating natural hazards. DEM helps develop hazard mitigation strategies on local, regional and interstate levels, focusing on a watershed approach.
Last Modified: Monday, 10-Nov-2003 13:58:33