City Council passes two resolutions to finance climate resilience

Boston City Council passed resolutions in support of securing federal support for a coastal protection plan and creating a statewide conservation fund at its Wednesday meeting.

“We know the water is coming,” Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata said. “We know which neighborhoods, homes, businesses, transportation systems and critical infrastructure are vulnerable.” 

Zapata introduced a resolution, which passed unanimously, to partner with the U.S. Army Corps to help finance climate resilience infrastructure. Federal authorization could cover up to 65% of construction costs for eligible coastal protection projects in Boston, she said. 

The project, which she called “Boston’s next Big Dig,” is estimated to cost upwards of $10 billion, Zapata said.

Zapata, who represents Charlestown, East Boston and the North End, added that coastal resilience is not just a “waterfront issue.” Major storms can flood much of Boston’s infrastructure, from transportation systems and tunnels to hospitals and fire stations, she said. 

“Climate change doesn’t care about district lines,” Zapata said. “Water does not care about political differences.”

Councilor Sharon Durkan introduced a resolution in support of a proposed statute on the Nov. 3 ballot that would create a “Nature For All Fund.” The fund would not raise taxes and would draw up to “$100 million annually from existing sales of outdoor sports recreation equipment,” Durkan said.

The fund primarily will serve to provide long-term support and protection for Boston’s parks and recreational areas, Durken said. 

“If we had a dedicated fund source for conservation and green space, it could create a way forward for us to direct more Community Preservation Act funding to our affordable housing needs,” City Councilor Brian Worrell said.

Boston’s outdoor spaces, such as the Charles River Esplanade, Stonybrook Reservation and Southwest Corridor Park would all be maintained through this funding, Durken said.

The resolution passed with 12 votes. Councilor Julie Mejia did not vote for the resolution.  

“It has long been one of our priorities to conserve natural resources and expand access to green space and outdoor recreation for Boston residents, especially from our low-income residents and communities of color,” Durken said.