Since the inauguration, President Trump has used a series of Executive Orders to defund work related to climate change and environmental justice. These funding cuts fly in the face of the realities that our region is experiencing, including flooding, extreme storms, habitat loss, sewer overflows, and more intense heat waves that endanger residents and workers.
The funding losses to our watershed–are impacting critical climate work. Consider the termination of funding from the Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program for the Island End River Flood Resilience Project. Without warning, this $50 million grant which MyRWA helped the City of Chelsea secure for critical resilience and salt marsh restoration projects was canceled overnight. This project, spearheaded by the Cities of Chelsea and Everett, is now in jeopardy due to the loss of funding, puts critical infrastructure and residents at great risk of coastal flooding. You can learn more in an Op-Ed in the Commonwealth Beacon co-written by MyRWA Climate Director, Nasser Brahim.
MyRWA–also–has suffered a significant blow to its funding, losing $700,000 from four federal grants. These funds were crucial for our efforts to improve environmental conditions for our most vulnerable residents and to document local climate impacts.
WIth the lost of the two terminated grants, solutions to help mitigate extreme heat is jeopardized. Extreme heat poses a serious threat to the health, safety, and livelihoods of many community members. We've identified actionable solutions to mitigate its impact, backed by research, science, and community input. Implementing these solutions requires resources, community buy-in, and strong government partnerships. Two of the terminated grants were specifically intended to help communities develop blueprints for these on-the-ground solutions, and significant progress had already been made when the federal government froze and then terminated the funding. It's no exaggeration to say that losing this funding will negatively affect the health and well-being of residents in Chelsea, Everett, and Malden—not just this summer, but for many summers to come.
We know these aren't the last cuts. With over $2 million in federal funds still at risk for projects focused on air quality monitoring, tree planting, and coastal resilience, MyRWA anticipates more vital programs could be jeopardized. This funding not only supports our dedicated staff but also drives tangible, lasting improvements in our communities.
In the face of these threats–MyRWA’s work is important than ever; and we will continue to fight for a healthier watershed. Founded over 50 years ago by concerned citizens dedicated to protecting and restoring the Mystic River, we'll continue to seek local support to bring the joy of science and nature, along with a healthy Mystic, to everyone who lives here. Everyone deserves safe and easy access to nature and a resilient environment.
