Hundred Acre Cove has been closed to shellfishing since 1996, but Save The Bay is hoping to change that.

The nonprofit agency recently received a $132,000 grant from the federal government to help clean up the water in the cove. The money will be used to create a comprehensive restoration plan, which will identify sources of pollution in Hundred Acre Cove and build a list of recommendations for improving the water quality and the coastal ecosystem. 

Save The Bay's Mike Jarbeau said folks at the nonprofit agency were very excited about being awarded the grant. He said Save The Bay prides itself on being able to coordinate different groups to address environmental issues. In the case of Hundred Acre Cove, the agency will work with municipal governments in Barrington, East Providence and Seekonk, Mass., as well as the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

"Just the fact that we received this funding is a testament to what Save The Bay has been able to do over the years," said Mr. Jarbeau, who serves as Narragansett Baykeeper for Save The Bay. "This is the first time we're taking the lead and taking a deep dive. We're really excited to do it. We want to get to the bottom of it."

So why is Hundred Acre Cove polluted?

Mr. Jarbeau and others believe there could be multiple polluters impacting the cove. He said one of the biggest culprits could be the retail properties along Route 6 in Seekonk, and the storm water run-off that can be traced back to that area. Mr. Jarbeau said the run-off makes its way to the Runnins River which later empties into Hundred Acre Cove.

In addition to Route 6 run-off into the Runnins, there is also the possibility that septic systems and cesspools for homes in Seekonk could be leaching pollution into the cove. Mr. Jarbeau said there is also some farming taking place near the cove and potential run-off from nearby roads and highways.

"We've worked on this (the cove) with others, but this is the first time we're taking the lead and taking a deep dive," said Mr. Jarbeau. 

The work will begin soon for Save The Bay. The group plans to begin collecting and reviewing data about the cove. Mr. Jarbeau said Save The Bay will also begin some of its field work this winter. 

For years, officials from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management have been monitoring water quality in the cove. In a 2016 report, DEM officials said the water in the cove is "out of compliance" with shellfishing standards during wet weather conditions and during most dry weather conditions.

"The area is correctly classified as prohibited," stated the report.

Mr. Jarbeau said the cove is an important estuary and plays host to numerous plant and animal species, including the endangered diamondback terrapins. The cove is also home to a number of osprey nests during the warm weather months.

More about the grant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partnered with Restore America's Estuaries to distribute $4.5 million in grant money to help improve the water and coastal ecosystems throughout Southeastern New England. 

The funding is provided under the 2018 Southeast New England Program Watershed Grants, a collaboration between EPA New England and Restore America's Estuaries. The goal of the grant program is to build and support partnerships to tackle the region's most pressing environmental issues, such as nutrient pollution and coastal habitat loss.

"Protecting iconic waters like bays and estuaries in Southern New England is a priority for EPA, and these projects will help further that goal," said EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn. "This funding will help protect clean water and establish innovative, watershed-based models that are vital to the ecological resiliency and economic vitality of our coastal communities."

Restore America's Estuaries selected 14 grant recipients — the awardees include municipalities, non-profit organizations, state agencies, universities and regional planning organizations. The $4.5 million in federal funds will be matched by an additional $1.8 million in state and local dollars.

Needed: Historical knowledge of the cove

Officials from Save The Bay are looking for historical information about Hundred Acre Cove. People who can recall changes in the cove over the past few decades should contact Narragansett Baykeeper Mike Jarbeau at mjarbeau@savebay.org. Save The Bay will also be seeking volunteers to help with the research work in Hundred Acre Cove. The project is funded for 30 months and will end in early 2021.

Other grant winners

In Rhode Island, this year's Southeast New England Program Watershed Grants are funding: 

• Town of Bristol to restore Silver Creek on Bristol Harbor ($300,000);

• R.I. Department of Environmental Management to work with the State of Connecticut on restoring the Pawcatuck River Estuary and Little Narragansett Bay ($450,000);

• City of Pawtucket to build a "green and complete street" — integrating clean water and transportation improvements — adjacent to the new rail station ($376,000);

• RIDEM to upgrade environmental monitoring equipment in Narragansett Bay ($300,000);

• Save The Bay to restore clean water in Hundred Acre Cove in Upper Narragansett Bay ($132,000); and

• University of Rhode Island for a scientific study of groundwater pollution to Narragansett Bay and the South Shore salt ponds ($475,000).