State Announces $28 Million to Redesign Amelia Earhart Dam and Renovate Draw Seven Park, Improving Climate Resiliency
Investment of ARPA Funding Will Be Used to Address Risks to Surrounding Environmental Justice Communities Posed by Rising Sea Levels
SOMERVILLE — The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) today announced an investment of $28 million in funding to improve climate resiliency and provide significant flood protection for the environmental justice communities surrounding the Amelia Earhart Dam (AED) on the Mystic River between Somerville and Everett and Draw Seven Park in Somerville. The projects, which are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), include $13 million to redesign the elevation of the dam and $15 million for the renovation of Draw Seven Park including construction of a flood control berm to prevent coastal flooding.
Undersecretary for Environment Stephanie Cooper and DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo joined the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyWRA) and local legislators in Somerville today to make the announcement. Today’s announcement is the culmination of collaborative efforts by DCR, MyWRA, community members and officials from Somerville, Cambridge and Everett to identify vulnerabilities in the area and ways to advance climate resiliency.
“The impacts of climate change are very much upon us,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It’s a priority of our administration to invest in our vital infrastructure so that our residents are protected as sea levels rise and extreme weather increases. Every dollar we spend on resilience today is an investment in our future.”
Based on a 2018 feasibility study, DCR determined that future sea level rise would inundate the AED and initiated planning efforts to eliminate flood pathways and the risk of coastal flooding in the Mystic River Watershed. The AED and Draw Seven Park projects will raise the dam and adjoining land by several feet to eliminate the Mystic River flood pathway, better protecting the surrounding areas of Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Everett, Malden, Medford, and Somerville from coastal flooding.
Work will include construction of a flood control berm to prevent coastal flooding, that in coordination with the AED project, will make the area more resilient to climate change. The park’s redesign includes many benefits to the community and the environment including maintaining and enhancing connections to the rest of the Mystic River Reservation, as well as to the newly completed path extension to Alford Street in Charlestown. The paths will connect Somerville to Everett and the Northern Strand Trail via the future Mystic River pedestrian bridge to Everett. The project will restore the park shoreline for stability, habitat value, and flood protection. The redesign will include inclusive and welcoming natural and recreational resources including paths for walking with viewing, bench seating, and overlook areas, a new lawn, and a renovated fishing pier. The project will also include more than 100 new trees to provide shade for visitors.
The Draw Seven project is currently in the permitting phase and is anticipated to go to bid by summer 2024, with construction expected to start in spring 2025.
