Natural Resources Conservation Service

Massachusetts

United States Department of Agriculture

USDA invests $42.5 million in the Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service will invest $42.5 million in 21 projects as part of the Cape Cod Water Resources Restoration Project, which will include seven fish passage installations, 10 stormwater remediation projects and four salt marsh restoration projects.

Federal and state officials break ground on Rawson Hill Brook Dam rehab project

Federal and state officials have broken ground on a $2.3 million project to rehabilitate the Rawson Hill Brook Floodwater Retarding Dam in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. The dam will be upgraded to meet current safety standards that will increase both public safety and climate change resiliency.

State and federal officials break ground on the Rawson Hill Brook Dam rehabilitation project in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

Sweetening Energy Efficiency at Shattuck’s Sugarhouse, Belchertown, Mass.

The Shattuck family has been producing maple syrup on their farm in Belchertown, Mass. for nearly 50 years. After building a larger sugarhouse in 2020, they wanted to ensure they were operating at peak energy efficiency. So, they asked NRCS for help.

USDA Resources for Maple Producers

Whether you’ve been a producer in Massachusetts for years or are just getting started, we encourage you to contact your local USDA Service Center to learn about programs and services to fit your business and conservation needs both during the harvest season and throughout the year.

Building a better fish ladder at the historic Baxter Grist Mill

The Baxter Grist Mill dam ensured water flow for the milling process for 200 years, but it prevented herring from reaching spawning grounds in the mill pond. A fish ladder built in the 20th century wasn’t working well, so local partners and NRCS recently constructed a new ladder.