Saugus gets $35G grant toward marsh restoration

SAUGUS – The Massachusetts Environmental Trust has awarded the town of Saugus a $35,000 grant to go toward the design and permitting for the Ballard Street Marsh Restoration Project.In the 1970s, Rumney Marsh was partially filled in with a 30-foot embankment from the abandoned I-95 extension project. A satellite view of the marsh today shows what looks like a dirt road running through the middle of it. This caused significant damage to the ecology of the area, including tidal flows and wildlife habitat, according to a press release from the Environmental Trust.?This will restore the salt water marsh,” said Joan LeBlanc, Executive Director of the Saugus River Watershed Council, a non-profit group dedicated to protecting the Saugus River Watershed. “It?s been in the works for a number years and very much overdue. The council is very supportive and thrilled they?ll be providing resources for the project.”According a press release from Town Manager Andrew Bisignani?s office, a new tide gate will be installed and the marsh surface will be excavated to “appropriate elevations.”?There has to be a tide gate to ensure there?s movement between the Saugus River and the marsh to prevent flooding,” said LeBlanc.Funds for the Trust come from the sale of special environmental license plates through the Registry of Motor Vehicles.