A long-planned project to repair the seawall at Long Beach in Rockport, Massachusetts, is facing an uncertain future after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) canceled nearly $2.8 million in funding.
Local Impact
The seawall has stood for about a century, but residents say it has become increasingly vulnerable to storms and rising tides. Long Beach resident Lisa Mooney expressed concern about the seawall’s condition, stating, “I don’t know what will happen once we get a really good storm because the wall is failing.” Mooney’s family has had a home at Long Beach for generations, and she emphasized the importance of the seawall in protecting the cottages along the shoreline.
Rockport voters had already approved the town’s required share of the project, which would have allowed the town to access the federal grant. The FEMA funding was expected to pay for repairs to portions of the wall that had already been damaged in previous storms.
Community Response
Antoinette Giugliano, a member of the executive committee of the Long Beach Improvement Association, stressed that the project should not be viewed as a political issue, saying, “This has nothing to do with whether I’m Republican or Democrat, it only has to do with fixing something that seriously and desperately needs repair.” Giugliano also noted that without the federal funding, it will be difficult for Rockport to move the project forward, as the town is a small community that cannot absorb the cost alone.
The town owns the land at Long Beach, while residents own the homes located there. Supporters of the repairs argue that the properties generate millions of dollars each year in lease payments and property taxes, which help support the town and its schools. The seawall also plays a crucial role in protecting nearby marshes, estuaries, and other coastal habitats from storm damage.
FEMA’s decision could also affect previously approved projects in six other coastal Massachusetts communities, including Gloucester, Hull, Marshfield, Nahant, Scituate, and Quincy. Governor Maura Healey is urging FEMA to reverse the decision, as the cancellation could lead to significant financial burdens on the affected communities.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
