South Shore towns get state aid for climate change

Several South Shore communities are sharing some of the $2.2 million awarded this month by the state for climate change preparations.

“Protecting and preparing Massachusetts’ extensive residential and commercial developments, port facilities, habitats, and natural resources from changing climate conditions along our coast is a priority for our administration,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a statement announcing the grants.

Kingston was given $497,725 to restore Gray’s Beach to a more natural environment by replacing a deteriorating stone wall with a marsh and dune system, and relocating a concession and restroom facility farther inland to accommodate future flooding, erosion, and sea level rise, according to information from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.

Other grants included $397,500 for Weymouth to replace a collapsing culvert at the entrance to Great Esker Park and make improvements to mitigate flooding around Puritan Road and improve the health and function of the salt marsh.

Scituate will get $210,000 for dune nourishment and roadway elevation along a portion of Central Avenue on Humarock Beach to provide storm damage protection for infrastructure, and $36,340 will go to Duxbury Beach Reservation Inc. for a 1,700-foot-long dune restoration project between the first and second crossovers on Duxbury Beach to strengthen the barrier beach.

And Marshfield will get $36,000 to analyze existing conditions along the shoreline and consider possible town-owned locations to place sand that is routinely dredged from Green Harbor for future beach and dune enhancement.