GREENFIELD — Using a $100,000 grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments is working with the Department of Public Works to curb water pollution caused by stormwater runoff.

According to the 2022 Final Massachusetts Integrated List of Waters, the most downstream segment of the Green River is contaminated with pollutants such as E. coli and fecal coliform. The grant funding will be used to study ways to manage stormwater runoff — particularly the parts that drain into Maple Brook, a tributary to the Green River.

“The portion of the Green River that runs through downtown Greenfield has some water quality challenges. The state lists it as impaired for a couple of different pollutants and the thought is that the stormwater runoff from the developed area of the city is likely contributing to those water quality impairments,” Land Use and Natural Resources Program Manager Kimberly MacPhee said. “We’ll be working with an engineering consultant to delineate the stormwater drainage catchment areas and model the pollutant loads from these areas, and then identify best management practices that include nature-based solutions, which are stormwater management structures that use trees, grasses [and] native plants to capture the water, retain it and filtrate it slowly.”

FRCOG’s effort is one of 52 projects aimed at improving community land use practices that are being funded by more than $2.1 million in grants from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ Planning Assistance Grant Program. In addition to FRCOG, Montague was awarded $34,000 for an Open Space and Recreation Plan, and Orange received $10,000, also for an Open Space and Recreation Plan.

Designs are slated to begin in the late summer. MacPhee said natural stormwater management systems can be an effective and visually appealing way to mitigate pollution.

“These types of climate-resilient stormwater management structures that use native vegetation and these landscaping techniques are more visually appealing, and they’re generally seen as kind of amenities, or positive additions to neighborhoods and the streetscape,” MacPhee said. “They’re serving a very important purpose by managing the stormwater, but they’re also seen as assets.”

She added that the DPW will work with an engineering consultant in a field investigation in an effort to find ways to upgrade future and existing city-owned infrastructure.

Once potential project sites are identified, MacPhee said the city and FRCOG representatives will seek public feedback to narrow the project to specific areas. With the grant funding expected to bring the project to 30% design completion, she said the funds will put the city in a “good position” to apply for funds for construction and future design.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at acammalleri@recorder.com or 413-930-4429.