CZ-Mail
September 2002

Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly email update from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). This update provides information on major CZM initiatives, available tools and publications, upcoming workshops and events, grants, contracting opportunities, job openings, coastal legislation, and other news of interest to people working on coastal issues. More information about CZM's programs, publications, and other coastal topics can be found online at http://www.mass.gov/czm/. If you have suggestions on how to make CZ-Mail more useful, would like to add your name to the mailing list, or would like to have your name removed, please email your request to CZ-Mail@state.ma.us.

Coastal States Organization meets with Ocean Policy Leaders
At its annual meeting in August, the Coastal States Organization (CSO) hosted a three-hour meeting with members of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy and the Pew Oceans Commission. Both Commissions are developing recommendations on ocean and coastal policies to present to Congress and the President.

Former White House Chief-of-Staff Leon Panetta, who chairs the Pew Oceans Commission, and nine members of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy joined coastal managers from U.S. states and island territories in three lively discussion sessions: "National Ocean Policy: Getting Beyond Words to Action," moderated by California Ocean Program Manager Brian Baird; "Coastal and Ocean Stewardship and Ecosystem Management," moderated by Massachusetts CZM Director Tom Skinner; and "Enhancing Coastal and Ocean Science, Research, and Education," moderated by Maine State Planning Director David Keeley. Final CSO recommendations to both Commissions will be submitted in October.

Also at the annual meeting, Debra Hernandez of South Carolina was elected CSO Chair and Tom Skinner was elected Vice Chair.

Americans Ate Less Seafood In 2001
Seafood consumption in the U.S. decreased by 2.1 percent in 2001, with Americans eating 4.2 billion pounds of domestic and imported fish and shellfish. Per capita, Americans ate about 14.8 pounds of seafood per person last year, including a record 3.4 pounds of shrimp. In fact, Americans are now eating more shrimp than canned tuna. The latest data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations show that the U.S. ranks as the third largest consumer of seafood in the world, importing 76 percent of its seafood. For more information, see: http://www.publicaffairs.noaa.gov/releases2002/aug02/noaa02113.html

Green Neighborhoods
On August 21, 2002, the Gloucester City Council approved the Green Neighborhoods Open Space Residential Design (OSRD) Site Plan Ordinance. Eight other North Shore communities passed the Special Permit model but this is the first OSRD "by-right" (site plan) model passed in the state. This ordinance may also be the first by-right zoning of any kind passed since the legislature enabled municipalities to adopt cluster by-right zoning over two years ago. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Smart Growth Network are collecting examples of model ordinances for national distribution and will include the Green Neighborhoods/OSRD. For more information see: http://www.mass.gov/czm/osrdmodelsiteplanbylaw.pdf and http://www.mass.gov/czm/growinggreener.pdf or contact Andrea Cooper at andrea.cooper@state.ma.us.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Stellwagen Bank NMS is undergoing a management plan review process to determine if management activities are properly accomplishing the mission of the National Marine Sanctuary mandate. For further information regarding Stellwagen Bank NMS and the management plan review process, please visit the website at http://stellwagen.nos.noaa.gov/

The public comment period for this process began on July 1 and will continue through October 18, 2002. This comment period is an opportunity for anyone to raise or address issues regarding the management of the Sanctuary. Comments may be submitted via the comment form on the website, via email to sbnmsplan@noaa.gov, in writing to the address below, or by attending public meetings to present comments verbally.

The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Public Meetings
Schedule is as follows:

September 24, 2002 Mystic Aquarium, Mystic CT http://www.mysticaquarium.org/

September 25, 2002 New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA http://whalingmuseum.org/

September 26, 2002 Provincetown Town Hall Auditorium 260 Commercial St.; Provincetown, MA http://www.provincetowngov.org/

*September 28, 2002 please note this meeting is a Sat. morning meeting beginning at 10am Sea Education Association 177 Woods Hole Road, Falmouth, MA http://www.sea.edu/

September 30, 2002 Gloucester City Hall Council Chamber 9 Dale Ave., Gloucester, MA http://www.ci.gloucester.ma.us/

October 1, 2002 University of Maine School of Law 246 Deering Ave., Portland, ME http://www.law.usm.maine.edu/about-dir.htm

October 2, 2002 Yokens Restaurant and Conference Center Rte 1, So. 1390 Lafayette Rd., Portsmouth, NH http://www.yokens.com/

October 3, 2002 New England Aquarium Central Wharf Boston, MA

*October 5, 2002 please note this meeting is a Sat. morning meeting beginning at 11am Plymouth Public Library 132 South St., Plymouth, MA

Please note that unless otherwise stated all meetings will be evening meetings. (Exceptions are Saturday meetings in Falmouth, MA and Plymouth MA). For the evening meetings, doors will open at 6:30pm. Meetings will start at 7pm and terminate by 10pm. All meetings will be 3 hours long.

Please be sure to check the Sanctuary website for possible changes in meeting schedules, especially prior to your chosen meeting. Included here are location websites. Directions to the meetings will also be posted on the website.

TBHA Sponsors Water Quality Improvements
The Boston Harbor Association continues to promote water quality stewardship by recreational boaters. Over the summer, TBHA distributed 900 bilge socks provided by CZM, 2000 copies of the TBHA Boater's Guide to a Cleaner Boston Harbor, 1500 CZM pump out facility guides, and pump out flags for boats. TBHA also played a role in evaluating a proposal to designate Boston Harbor a "No Discharge Zone", a designation that would prohibit the discharge of marine sewage in Boston Harbor, by convening meetings of recreational and commercial boaters to discuss the proposal. These sessions identified one pressing issue, a request by commercial operators for pump out facilities with deep-water access. The Association continues to manage the Marine Debris Removal Program funded in part by the City of Boston, Massport, and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, which has removed 125 tons of debris over the past three summers. As an outgrowth of that effort, TBHA and the Community Boat Club carried out a marine debris pilot project on the Charles River, where debris "catch nets" have been placed at the boathouse for members to take out on their boats or to use along the docks. To learn more about these projects, see the TBHA window displays below the rotunda at Rowes Wharf or go to: http://www.tbha.org.

Grant Opportunities
September 13 Deadline for Research Proposals on Atlantic Cod Tagging - NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service is looking for individuals and groups to be a part of what is potentially the most comprehensive U.S. Atlantic cod-tagging program in history. Groups interested in implementing either the tagging effort or initial data gathering can submit proposals until September 13. The resulting data should improve understanding of cod movement and provide new information on essential habitat for cod and fish behavior, with the ultimate goal of expanding the information base for management of Atlantic cod. For complete information, including the for proposals, application and evaluation, go to: http://www.nero.nmfs.gov/ro/doc/da.htm. Proposals for the cod-tagging project must be received by 4:30 PM EDT on September 13, 2002 . Questions about research objectives and proposal preparation should be directed to Nick Anderson at nick.anderson@noaa.gov or (978) 281-9383.

CZM is seeking a coastal hazards research scientist - This postdoctoral position will work cooperatively with the United States Geological Survey in Woods Hole to collect information regarding repetitively damaged properties along the Massachusetts coast and analyze patterns of damage relative to flood zones, erosion rates, landform type, and the degree of exposure (open coast vs. protected area). Several levels of damage will be established to facilitate distinctions between potential causes of minor, moderate and major structural damage. In addition, the degree of shoreline armoring will be considered as part of the analysis. The scientist will be expected to document any correlations between these variables and make recommendations to CZM, the Massachusetts Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage Task Force and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regarding potential policy changes or regulations to balance development with the preservation and restoration of the resource area's ability to dissipate storm wave energy and flooding. The closing date for this position is September 12, 2002. For more information see: http://www.mass.gov/czm/jobsandgrants.htm

CZM is seeking a Grant Manager - CZM is seeking a dynamic, team-oriented Program Coordinator to manage all programmatic and fiscal aspects of federal funds received by CZM, and grants made by CZM to Massachusetts municipalities and other entities using state and federal funds. The Program Manager will also assist with other projects, including coordinating activities of the Gulf of Maine Council. The closing date for this position is September 18, 2002. For more information see: http://www.mass.gov/czm/jobsandgrants.htm

Organization to conduct water quality sampling - The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, through the Office of Coastal Zone Management and the Massachusetts Watershed Initiative, seeks a qualified organization to conduct water quality sampling in the Mystic River Watershed. For more information see: http://www.mass.gov/czm/jobsandgrants.htm

Calendar
COASTSWEEP 2002 - Join CZM for the 15th annual COASTSWEEP cleanup that officially kicks off on September 21 at East Beach in New Bedford. Throughout the second half of September, CZM organizes thousands of volunteers to participate in this statewide effort to clean up our shoreline. Last year, over 4,000 volunteers scoured 180 miles of coastline and removed close to 70,000 pounds of trash and marine debris! To get involved, either as a local cleanup coordinator or a participant, visit CZM's website at: http://www.mass.gov/czm/coastsweep.htm. For additional questions or comments, contact COASTSWEEP Coordinator Carey Gordon at COASTSWEEP@state.ma.us.

Beaches Conference - Northeast Beaches: A Balancing Act is designed to stimulate discussion among the various coastal interest groups concerned with the management and welfare of our coasts. The conference will be held at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution on October 24-26, with a pre-conference field trip on October 23. Researchers, managers, consultants, and coastal stewards will present papers and participate in panels on the following issues to foster a creative and open dialogue: coastal habitat, beach management, coastal access, coastal processes, water quality, dredging, beach nourishment, and beach economics. For updated conference information see the conference web page at: http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~therring/nsbpa.html. For registration information contact, Dr. Thomas Herrington, Davidson Laboratory, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, email: therring@stevens-tech.edu.

NOAA will hold a series of "Strategy and Performance" workshops - NOAA will hold a series of "strategy and performance" dialogues with stakeholders from industry, non-profit organizations, academia, state and local governments, and others. These sessions will survey perspectives and solicit feedback on four key questions related to science, management improvement, and overall agency integration, specifically:

• What is "success"-that is, what outcomes should NOAA seek to achieve?
• What strategies should be pursued?
• What programs have the biggest impact and how should performance be measured?
• What is the constituents' role in implementing the strategies and measuring success?

The Boston workshop will be held Wednesday September 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m at the Hilton Logan Airport, located at 85 Terminal Road in East Boston. The session is open to all members of the public with an interest in NOAA's programs. Each session will be presented with the results from previous sessions so that the input process is cumulative, and all results will be available on the NOAA Office of Strategic Planning website at http://www.osp.noaa.gov/. You may register online through the Strategic Planning website by going to the calendar and then scrolling down to the specific date and location.

Massport, Corps of Engineers to conduct study of deepening of Boston Harbor - Public meeting on Sept. 5 - The New England District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), will begin studies this summer to investigate the feasibility of deepening the main shipping channels in the port of Boston to a depth greater than the current authorized 40-foot depth. Massport views channel deepening as necessary to safely and efficiently accommodate the larger containerships and other vessels now calling at the Conley and Marine Terminals in South Boston. For more information see - http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/ and check under News Releases

Products/Publications
CZM's New Shoreline Change Maps Are on the Web - Shoreline change maps, accompanying data, and all supporting technical documents from CZM's update of the Historic Shoreline Change Project are now on the CZM website and a browser developed by the Massachusetts Geographic Information System (MassGIS). The 1:10,000 scale shoreline change maps and accompanying data tables show the relative positions of four or five historic shorelines and depict the long-term change rate at 40-meter (approximately 131-feet) intervals along the shore. See http://www.mass.gov/czm/hazards/shoreline_change/shorelinechangeproject.htm.

Pew Commission Monthly E-Newsletter - The Pew Oceans Commission is an independent group of American leaders conducting a national dialogue on the policies needed to restore and protect living marine resources in U.S. waters. After reviewing the best scientific information available and speaking with people from around the country, this commission will make its formal recommendations in a report to Congress and the nation in early 2003. The commission publishes a monthly email newsletter, which contains information on commission activities and ocean policy. To subscribe to the newsletter, or to find out more about the commission, check out their website at www.pewoceans.org/.

East Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan - In July, Environmental Affairs Secretary Bob Durand approved the East Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan. The Plan represents a major achievement by Mayor Menino, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), and the citizens of Boston as they collectively proceed with the formalization and implementation of a planning vision for the public trust lands that comprise the waterfront areas of Boston Harbor. The Plan will help revitalize and reenergize this historic urban waterfront while guiding waterfront development in a way that promotes the public rights inherent in these tidelands, guaranteeing future generations use and enjoyment of this valuable resource. For a full copy of the plan see: http://www.mass.gov/czm/ebostonmhp.pdf

Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement Project Phase 2 Summary Report - The Corps of Engineers, New England District and Massachusetts Port Authority are pleased to announce the availability of the Boston Harbor Navigation Improvement Project Phase 2 Summary Report. This report describes the project and construction activities of the maintenance and navigation improvement dredging and disposal of dredged material from Boston's Federal navigation channels in the Mystic River, Chelsea River, Inner Confluence, Reserved Channel, and berth work that was conducted at the request and expense of Massport. A summary of the monitoring requirements and subsequent results are also included in the summary report. Work on this project was conducted between May 1998 and September 2000 (with limited follow up work in 2001). The summary report is available on CD and in hard copy format. However, there are a very limited number of hard copies available. The Corps would prefer to only distribute hard copies to interested parties who do not have access to a computer with a CD drive. The summary report is also available on the Corps of Engineers website at http://www.nae.usace.army.mil/projects/MA/BHNIP/cover.pdf. To obtain a copy of the summary report, please email Ms. Catherine Rogers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Catherine.J.Rogers@usace.army.mil or phone (978) 318-8231 with your name and address.

Still Available - These products and publications, listed in the last CZ-Mail, are still available:

• The premier edition of CZM's new Coastlines magazine is now being distributed. Hurricanes are the feature of this 50+ page edition, which provides information on: Bay State hurricanes and their potential impacts, building and rebuilding to withstand a storm, preparing for hurricane season, and a wide range of tools available for reducing risks in hurricane-prone areas. Articles on invasive species, energy issues in the coastal zone, public access to the coast, and other coastal topics are also included. To add your name to the Coastlines mailing list, email CZM at czm@state.ma.us. Also see the CZM website at http://www.mass.gov/czm/coastlines/index.htm for the new Coastlines magazine online, or to order a hard copy.
• The Volunteer's Handbook for Monitoring New England Salt Marshes helps local volunteer groups collect and record data on salt marsh health in a consistent and scientifically sound manner. This 100+ page handbook includes chapters on salt marsh monitoring, New England salt marshes, study design, and monitoring plants, invertebrates, fishes and crabs, birds, salinity, and tidal hydrology. For an electronic copy, see http://www.mass.gov/czm/volunteermarshmonitoring.htm. To order a hard copy, please email your request to czm@state.ma.us.
• The Massachusetts Clean Marina Guide is available on the CZM website at: http://www.mass.gov/czm/marinas/guide/macleanmarinaguide.htm. The guide is designed as a reference for owners and operators of marine boating facilities and provides information on cost-effective strategies and practices to impacts on the coastal environment. For a hard copy, please email your request to czm@state.ma.us.
• Massachusetts Shifting Shorelines: New Data on Shoreline Change, a 4-page fact sheet describing the Massachusetts Shoreline Change Project, the recent updates to the state's shoreline change maps, and ways to use these maps and data is available. For a copy of the fact sheet, email your request and mailing address to czm@state.ma.us. See http://www.mass.gov/czm/hazards/pdf/shorelinechangefactsheet.pdf for a PDF version and http://www.mass.gov/czm/hazards/shoreline_change/shorelinechange.htm for HTML.
• A Technical Report Evaluating Innovative Stormwater Treatment Technologies, which evaluates two StormTreat(tm) System (STS) installations, is available in PDF at http://www.mass.gov/czm/masection319npsproject9502.pdf. Detailed data are given in the report, along with numerous recommendations to improve design, installation, and maintenance of these systems, as well as to perform future evaluations of their effectiveness.
• CZM is distributing 18,000 free bilge socks that remove oil, diesel, and other petroleum products from bilge water, preventing pollution discharge into the marine environment. For a bilge sock, email your request and contact information to robin.lacey@state.ma.us.
• 2002 Boater Guide to Tides and Pumpout Facilities, a wallet-sized pamphlet printed on waterproof paper, contains pumpout information and a tide chart for Massachusetts. For a copy, email your request and mailing address to czm@state.ma.us. For an electronic copy of the 2002 pumpout list, go to www.mass.gov/czm/potoc.htm.
• "Coastal zone management: it's the wave of the future" is the slogan featured on a window decal produced by CZM. If you'd like one, email your request and mailing address to czm@state.ma.us.

Project Review Highlights
CZM is in the process of reviewing several projects that highlight interesting aspects of our project review and federal consistency review functions. For example: Northeast Phase III and Hubline - CZM recently issued consistency certification for the Maritimes and Northeast Phase III and Hubline project. The project will entail placement of 30-inch high-pressure natural gas pipeline that runs from the Beverly-Salem Harbor into Massachusetts Bay to Weymouth. A 24-inch high-pressure lateral will extend from the 30-inch pipeline to Deer Island in Winthrop. Based on concerns expressed by the Docking Masters and Masport, the applicant has committed to bury the pipeline deeper in more areas than originally proposed and will employ engineered backfill in specific areas. For a full copy of the consistency determination see - http://www.mass.gov/czm/hublineconsistency.pdf. Federal Consistency Review on the Web - The CZM website includes information on the project review and the federal consistency review processes in Massachusetts, including CZM Program Policies, a sample consistency certification, and the Coastal Zone Management Program Federal Consistency Review Regulations. A Massachusetts Coastal Permitting Agency Directory is also included. See http://www.mass.gov/czm/fcr.htm. MEPA Review on the Web - For more information on state environmental review under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act, including a listing of all projects currently in review, see the MEPA Unit website at http://www.mass.gov/envir/mepa/index.htm.

Legislative Update
For More News on Federal Legislation - The Coastal States Organization (CSO) maintains web-based information on legislative, policy, and program developments at the federal level. See their website at http://www.sso.org/cso/default.htm for more.

In the News
Here are links to newspaper articles from the last month on coastal issues:

• Deal conserves Thompson Island (Boston Globe, 8/8/2002) - http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/220/nation/
  Deal_conserves_Thompson_Island+.shtml (Boston Globe articles are available for a limited time only.)
• New Bedford retains highest dollar-volume rank for landings (Online Mariner.com, 8/15/2002) - http://onlinemariner.yellowbrix.com/pages/onlinemariner/Story.nsp?story_id=32184451&category=empty%3Acommercial+fishing&ID=onlinemariner
• Shifting sands change shores of Cape Cod (Boston Globe, 8/18/2002) - http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/230/metro/
  Shifting_sands_charge_shores_of_Cape_Cod+.shtml (Boston Globe articles are available for a limited time only.)
• Legendary Ship Found by Sonar (Washington Post, 8/302002) - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/
  A13752-2002Aug29.html
• Gulf of Maine corals found - In early August, a research team lead by Les Watling of the University of Maine's Darling Center for Marine Sciences announced the discovery and documentation of two extensive stands of deepwater corals in the Gulf of Maine near Mt Desert Rock and in the GOM's western Jordan Basin. See a Portland Press Herald story about the find at http://www.pressherald.com/news/coast/020804coral.shtml
• Wind Farm proposals made for various sites along the Atlantic coast - http://www.capecodonline.com/cctimes/archives/2002/sep/3/windfarm3.htm

Other Items of Interest
Gulf of Maine Expedition Update - Check out http://www.gomexpedition.org/ for updates on the progress of the kayakers journeying around the entire Gulf of Maine, from Provincetown to Cape Sable, Nova Scotia.

A publication of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA17OZ1125. This publication is funded (in part) by a grant/cooperative agreement from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA or any of its sub-agencies.