The Massachusetts Coastal Hazards Commission

With more than 1,500 miles of coastline, Massachusetts is vulnerable to the damaging impacts of northeasters and hurricanes, and experiences regular storm damage from even minor storms. To tackle these issues, in 2006 Governor Romney and the State Legislature asked the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), through the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), to launch a Coastal Hazards Commission (CHC), which was charged with reviewing existing coastal hazards practices and policies, identifying data and information gaps, and drafting recommendations for administrative, regulatory, and statutory changes, if deemed necessary. The CHC produced a final report that includes 29 recommendations to improve the management of risk from coastal hazards in Massachusetts. An inventory of coastal structures on the South Shore was also completed. Inventories of the remaining coastal regions are being completed and will result in a plan for maintenance and repairs of coastal structures coast-wide. Former CZM Director Susan Snow-Cotter chaired the CHC on behalf of the Secretary of EOEA. Below are links to information about the Commission.

• Coastal Hazards Commission Final Report and Recommendations - The Coastal Hazards Commission issued these final recommendations in May 2007.
• Coastal Hazards Commission Members - This page features a list of CHC members and their affiliations.
• Governor Romney's Charge to the CHC - The charge Governor Romney gave to the Commission at its inception.
• Coastal Hazards Commission Organizational Chart - This chart provides a breakdown of the working group assignments, including the chairs and staff members for each group. (PDF, 85 KB)
• Commission Meetings - Summaries of CHC meetings, including some selected presentations.
• Coastal Hazards Commission Public Forums Summary - In May 2006, the Coastal Hazards Commission hosted a series of coastwide public forums to solicit input on local storm damage and erosion issues, concerns, and potential solutions.