Amherst Receives $296,000 Grant for Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvements
The state grant will design two replacement culverts in the Fort River Watershed as part of ongoing regional climate resilience work.
Amherst has received nearly $300,000 from the state to improve flood resilience and water quality in the Fort River Watershed. The grant will fund design and permitting work on two undersized culverts in South Amherst that require replacement to handle extreme weather and allow safe passage for fish and wildlife.
The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Action Grant of $296,000 comes from the state's new Environment & Climate One Stop program, which distributed $45 million across 97 climate resilience projects statewide. The culverts—one on West Pomeroy Lane over an unnamed stream and one on Potwine Lane over Plum Brook—will be replaced with concrete box culverts designed to meet Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman said in a press release that the grant represents the governor's commitment to climate investment in Amherst. He noted the work targets two environmentally sensitive areas in South Amherst.
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works Amy Rusiecki said the grant builds on two previous MVP awards that funded design and construction of earlier culvert replacements. She highlighted the town's progress: in 2023, Amherst received $169,250 for design and permitting; in 2024, it received $1.2 million to replace two culverts on Middle Street and Potwine Lane, which were completed in 2025.
The Fort River Watershed Assessment & Prioritization Plan, funded by a 2025 MVP grant of $427,700, is being developed in partnership with Belchertown, Hadley, Pelham, and Shutesbury. Amherst also secured a separate MassDOT Community Culvert Program Grant in 2026 to design and permit replacement of an undersized culvert on Sunderland Road over Eastman Brook in North Amherst.
State Senator Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, said the investment strengthens flood resilience and protects water quality through regional collaboration. State Representative Mindy Domb, D-Amherst, called the MVP program critical for communities facing climate change challenges.
The culvert on Potwine Lane over Plum Brook has already failed during heavy rains, requiring temporary road closure and disrupting access to nearby soccer fields and wildlife corridors. The Department of Public Works plans to make temporary repairs in the fall after completing required permits.