The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded Tisbury $78,750 to begin planning the reconstruction of the aging Beach Road seawall.

The new grant puts the town in position to seek up to 20 per cent in FEMA funding for the seawall work itself, which is likely to cost $6 million to $10 million, Tisbury town administrator John (Jay) Grande said at last week’s select board meeting.

“We can advance the seawall project to make a further request for engineering and construction, ultimately, so it is very good news to be in the [FEMA] program,” Mr. Grande said.

Over the next two years, according to FEMA documents Mr. Grande provided to the Gazette, the initial grant will pay for research, community outreach, conceptual plans and a cost-benefit analysis, all geared toward a future proposal for the actual construction work.

“The project aims to improve public safety, incorporate nature-based solutions and protect valuable shellfish resources in Lagoon Pond … incorporate sea-level rise elevations and address storm surge and wave runup for Vineyard Haven harbor,” the FEMA summary reads, in part.

Tisbury also has a $400,000 contribution from the Vineyard Wind project developers for the town-owned open space on Lagoon Pond, across Beach Road from the seawall, Mr. Grande said.