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	Coastal Hazards Commission February 15, 2006 Meeting Summary Governor Romney opened the meeting with remarks about the importance of managing our coastal areas in the face of coastal hazards. He emphasized the need to take a comprehensive approach to managing hazards as well as prioritizing capital needs related to coastal infrastructure. Secretary Pritchard described the charge to the Commission and asked that a report be submitted to the Legislature in November. The charge included: characterizing our vulnerability to coastal hazards, evaluating the adequacy of coastal hazards data and tools, evaluating current management approaches and exploring other alternatives, and developing a 20-year Coastal Infrastructure and Protection Plan for the coast of the Massachusetts that inventories existing publicly owned coastal engineering structures and prioritizes necessary capital improvements. The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management regional coordinators presented a virtual tour of the shoreline of Massachusetts, highlighting coastal geology, hazard issues, and hot spots, as well as some examples of solutions. Following the presentation, the Commission brainstormed issues that should be addressed. These include: Need to make distinction between public and privately owned coastal structures. Understanding the role of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Need for inventory and ways to discourage publicly funded infrastructure in hazardous areas. Need for more information about the extent and cost of federally declared coastal disasters—where and how much was paid out. Need to understand options and support for property buy-out and retreat from high hazard areas. Engaging the insurance sector and possibly real estate sector in conversations regarding the funding of development in hazardous areas (insurance, real estate, lending). More information requested on the use of innovative technologies to retain sand on beaches and minimize storm damage. Weighing the costs/benefits of coastal hazards management approaches (e.g., funds for hazard protection with the costs of the infrastructure being protected). Request for more information on sea level rise predictions and shoreline change trends. Need to understand growth management provisions of recent public infrastructure improvements (water and sewer) on barrier beaches/high hazard areas. Need to prioritize the maintenance of hazard mitigation for existing publicly owned coastal engineering structures (public works/wastewater treatment plants, roads/transportation, etc.). Look to positive examples from other states or regions (Florida, New Jersey) particularly related to public/private partnerships for beach nourishment. Use of "design storm" to inform Commission's work. Aesthetic concerns about coastal structures. Concerns about the existing regulatory system as it pertains to dredging projects(prolonged process). Further exploration of regional sediment management and beneficial use of dredged material for beach nourishment. Commission members acknowledged that while we need to look at long-range issues, there is a pressing need to focus on short-term strategies. Since time to produce a report is limited, the Commission will have to prioritize the issues taken on to ensure that our recommendations are carefully considered and well researched. Next Steps Susan Snow-Cotter, Commission Chair and Director of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, suggested a rough timeline for the Commission's work that included spending the first two or three meetings (February, March, April) focused on information collection and getting a handle on the range of hazards issues facing the Commonwealth. The next meeting will be held on Monday, March 13, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Boston (location to be determined). Lunch will be provided to Commission members. This meeting will consist of several short presentations on coastal hazards issues including: coastal processes, hazard mitigation planning and publicly owned infrastructure (seawalls), and plenty of time for Commission members to ask questions of the speakers and discuss key priorities. In March/April it is anticipated that the Commission will break into Working Groups to address the range of issues identified in greater depth. The Working Groups will be charged with synthesizing existing information, prioritizing hazards issues (short, medium, and long-term time frame), and crafting recommendations to improve hazards management. Working Group focus areas as well as participants will be discussed at the March meeting. Beginning with the April or May Commission meeting, meetings will be held in coastal communities around the state and will provide an opportunity for short site visits and talks by local residents and municipal representatives about local hazards issues.
	COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800Boston, MA 02114 617-626-1200617-626-1240 (fax) czm@state.ma.us Contact Us About Us Site Policies