Berkshire Communities Awarded Dam Infrastucture Grants

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BOSTON?—The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced over $13.9 million in grants to support the repair of dams and coastal infrastructure across Massachusetts. The funding, provided through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' (EEA) Dam and Seawall program, will help 23 municipalities and nonprofit organizations to address critical repairs and safely remove outdated structures in their communities. 
  • Egremont was awarded $900,000 for the Prospect Lake Dam Repair
  • Adams was awarded $94,125 for a Fisk Brook Dam Removal Feasibility Study
  • Hinsdale was awarded $115,500 for a Belmont Dam Gatehouse Replacement Plan 
The Dam and Seawall program focuses on enhancing the safety and functionality of essential infrastructure, which protects residents and supports local economies. Prioritizing repairs and removals will help mitigate risks associated with severe weather events and rising sea levels. 
 
"Last year was another reminder of how crucial it is to maintain our dams and seawalls—they are essential to our
safety and infrastructure. That's why I allocated an additional $1 million for dam safety technical assistance in my budget,"?said Governor Maura Healey.?"With the grants we're announcing today, we are empowering municipalities to strengthen their resilience and confidently prepare for whatever storms may come their way." 
 
By restoring and removing aging infrastructure, public safety will improve, and local ecosystems will be protected. This will also increase resilience in coastal areas. The grants will fund fourteen design and permitting projects and nine construction projects to advance designs and permits as well as to construct the projects. Since the program began in 2013, the Dam and Seawall Program has provided $134 million in grants and loans to address deficient dams, seawalls, and levees with these new grants. 
 
 

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Butternut Fire Expands to Sheffield, Covering 1,100 Acres

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The fire expanded during to the night to cover more than 1,100 acres. 

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Butternut Fire has expanded tenfold, now covering almost 1,100 acres of forest and spreading to Sheffield.

Just before noon on Wednesday, the town reported that the wildfire near Brush Hill Road off East Mountain had unexpected growth overnight. It spread over 100 acres on Tuesday and on Wednesday, was estimated to cover slightly less than 1,100 acres.

The town remains in a state of emergency, as declared by the Select Board on Tuesday, but first responders assure that Great Barrington is not in danger.

Around 2 p.m., the Great Barrington Fire Department reported via Facebook that "significant fire" was extinguished by using a Blackhawk helicopter to drop 600 gallons of water. Water is now being pulled from Three Mile Pond in Sheffield.

The blaze is being referred to as the Butternut Fire due to its proximity to Ski Butternut, which has confirmed there is no damage to the ski area.

"At this time the fire is more than a quarter of a mile from the nearest structures and there are not any immediate threats to the public. There have NOT been any evacuation orders at this time. We have strategically placed structural fire crews in the areas where there is the POTENTIAL for us to operate in a protection mode to protect homes and property," the town's press release reads.

"In the event of a need for an evacuation order, residents will be notified through Code RED along with in-person door-to-door notifications of the affected area — an information post will be shared on how to sign up if you are already not signed up."

The fire was first reported Monday evening and by 9 p.m., firefighters were pulled from the mountain because of the hazardous conditions. On Tuesday morning, neighboring departments were called in to help contain the blaze.

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