Taunton River Stewardship Council 2023 Annual Report
Author: Karen Porter
Landscape Conservation Project Awarded:
The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $1.25 Million to the town of Middleborough and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for the Fort Hill Conservation Project. This project will protect 278 acres that extend protection to 2.25 miles of the Taunton River in Middleborough. In addition to conserving important agricultural lands, mitigating future flood impacts, and creating new opportunities for recreation, these lands are of important archaeological and cultural significance.
Council Openings
We currently have two Council Member openings in the communities of Fall River and Raynham. We welcome interested parties to contact Gloria Bancroft at director@savethetaunton.org.
National Park Foundation Grant Awarded
The NRTB, in partnership with the Town of Bridgewater, the MA Dept. of Corrections, the Taunton River Stewardship Council, and others, was awarded a National Park Foundation grant to construct a 1.8-mile, natural surface pedestrian trail along the banks of the Wild and Scenic Taunton River and other land. The trail will provide public access to this portion of the Taunton River and all its benefits; additional public access is envisioned in the near future. NPF Grants Over $1 Million to National Rivers and Trails (nationalparks.org)
High St Dam Removal
Bridgewater’s High Street Dam, which stood across the Town River for more than 100 years, has been removed. The removal of the 12.5-foot-high, 80-foot-wide hazardous dam opens 10 miles of river to migratory fish. Further upstream, the upcoming replacement of the High Street Bridge will reduce flooding by better accommodating peak river flows and is designed to withstand a 500-year storm and climate change projections through 2070.