Rep. Thomas Stanley, City Officials, Charles River Watershed Association, and Waltham Land Trust Announce $100K for Climate Resilience in Waltham (PRESS RELEASE)
NOVEMBER 17, 2023: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WALTHAM, MA––On November 17th, 2023 at 2PM, Representative Thomas Stanley will join Charles River Watershed Association, Waltham Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy, Waltham City Councilor Caren Dunn, and the Waltham Land Trust to announce a $100K investment in climate resilience at Hardy Pond, a scenic, forty-five-acre pond in Waltham, MA.
The Hardy Pond Project is a high-priority flood storage and ecological restoration opportunity identified using the Charles River Flood Model. The project includes green stormwater infrastructure, wetland restoration, and outlet improvements at Hardy Pond, and was selected for its strong local community support and benefits for environmental justice neighborhoods.
“I was thrilled to partner with the Charles River Watershed Association and the City of Waltham to secure funding in the state budget for the design of the Hardy Pond Project,” says Representative Thomas Stanley. “The Hardy Pond Project will serve as an example for other communities to emulate on how to address climate resilience at the local level and prevent future flooding. I’m grateful for the many residents and environmental advocates in Waltham who supported this project as it will truly bring so many positive, long-lasting benefits to the City.”
“Thank you Representative Stanley for investing in climate resilience for Waltham and beyond. It’s a very rare opportunity to be able to safely store floodwaters for an area this large. Hardy Pond and adjacent wetlands are located in the headwaters of a highly urbanized watershed that is already experiencing flooding, so this project will provide critical protections for residents downstream” explains Julie Wood, CRWA’s Climate Resilience Director. “As an added bonus, this project will also restore the health of impacted wetland areas, and improve water quality and fish passage.”
According to the 5th National Climate Assessment, released Tuesday, extreme precipitation has increased by about 60% in the Northeast, the largest increase nationwide. In the Charles River watershed, home to nearly one million people, homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, especially in highly urbanized areas like Waltham.
The Hardy Pond Project will use three nature-based solutions––green stormwater infrastructure, wetland restoration, and improving the pond outlet by allowing for real-time flood storage––to provide a 20% near-term reduction in flooding and restore ecosystem health.
Identified as a priority by Waltham residents, green stormwater infrastructure and bank restoration around the pond will mitigate flooding, improve water quality, and beautify the neighborhood. Building on efforts by the City of Waltham in 2020 that removed 32,000 sq. ft. of historic fill, additional removal of sediment will restore the health and storage capacity of an additional 127,400 sq. ft. of wetlands, improve wildlife habitat, and boost biodiversity. Finally, converting the current passive outlet to an active control device will allow the City of Waltham to lower the pond level in advance of a storm, making room to store stormwater to protect downstream properties from flooding, as well as improving fish passage.
“Thank you to Representative Stanely and Charles River Watershed Association for the financial assistance for the Hardy Pond outlet improvements,” says Waltham Mayor Jeanette McCarthy.
“The Waltham Land Trust is extremely pleased to partner with the Charles River Watershed Association, the City of Waltham, and Representative Stanley to address long-standing flooding issues in the Hardy Pond watershed while restoring its ecosystem. We thank all parties involved,” says Sonja Wadman, Executive Director of Waltham Land Trust.
Through the advocacy and support of Representative Thomas Stanley, the Commonwealth is providing $100K in the state budget for the City of Waltham to support the feasibility study and design of this priority flood mitigation project. With designs complete next year, City of Waltham will seek to leverage additional funding for construction to complete the project. The hope is this demonstration project, one of nine identified so far by CRWA, can serve as a model for other communities exploring similar approaches to prepare for climate change.
Charles River Watershed Association’s mission is to protect, restore and enhance the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law. CRWA develops science-based strategies to increase resilience, protect public health, and promote environmental equity as we confront a changing climate.
CONTACT:
Julia Hopkins
Communications & Outreach Manager
Charles River Watershed Association
(617) 540-5650 x 1071
