Coastal Hazards Commission
September 11, 2006 Meeting Summary

Pebble Beach Field Trip

Kathryn Glenn and Rebecca Haney, CZM, led a field trip with John Tomasz, Rockport DPW, at Pebble Beach in Rockport to discuss issues with road maintenance there.

Presentation

Coastal Vulnerability and Resilient Communities—Designing for Disasters - Margaret Davidson, NOAA Coastal Services Center
Margaret defined the term "resilience" as the capacity to bounce back from disasters. Resilient communities emphasize their local strengths and capabilities, such as planning, zoning, and permitting, to decrease risks. The framework for resilience includes five assets or capital within communities: physical, economic, human, social, and natural. Physical and economic impacts are covered largely by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and private insurers. Communities are usually affected more by changes to human and social capital. Natural capital is essential for human survival.

Margaret encouraged the Commission to focus their efforts. She provided examples of ongoing projects that relate to the Commission's draft recommendations. There are opportunities for change, but addressing existing policies and practices is going to be a challenge. It is critical to leverage funds to keep momentum toward implementation.

Public Comment Summary

Julia Knisel, CZM, provided a summary of public comments on the draft recommendations, which were submitted during August and September. Copies of written comments were provided with the summary. General comments received during the public forums in May were summarized at the June meeting.

Discussion

The Commission discussion focused on the issues listed below.

• Revisions to DEP's Stormwater Policy regarding redevelopment of roads
• Tax credits for disaster resistant measures
• Building code effectiveness rating
• Application of regulations to developed and undeveloped beach systems
• Need for funding and consistent methodology to update Flood Insurance Rate Maps