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.

Retrospective on Hurricane Isabel
While bringing little more than heavy surf and a little rain to Massachusetts, Hurricane Isabel is a sure reminder of the destruction-potential of such storms. Beginning as a tropical wave in the far eastern Atlantic about 600 miles west of the Southern Cape Verde Islands, Isabel was named a tropical storm on September 6. By September 11, it had strengthened to the first Category 5 hurricane of the 2003 Atlantic season with sustained winds of 160 mph. The storm maintained its Category 5 status through September 14 and took aim on the U.S. East Coast on September 15. The following day, hurricane warnings were issued from Cape Fear, North Carolina, northward to Virginia. Isabel made landfall in eastern North Carolina during the day on September 18, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph and a storm surge of 7-10 feet. Despite weakening to a Category 2 hurricane before hitting the coast, Isabel resulted in 30 deaths, 3.4 million people losing electricity, and an anticipated $1 billion in insurance claims following the extensive damage. For photos of the impacts of Isabel, see http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s2091.htm and http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=59958&ran=154688. Hurricane season officially extends through November in Massachusetts, so for detailed hurricane and preparedness information, see http://www.mass.gov/czm/hurricanes.htm.

COASTSWEEP 2003 Update
On Saturday, September 20, the 2003 COASTSWEEP kickoff was held at Sandy Neck in West Barnstable. Now in its 16th year, COASTSWEEP is the statewide cleanup where thousands of volunteers remove trash from hundreds of miles of Massachusetts coast as part of the International Coastal Cleanup organized by The Ocean Conservancy (see www.theoceanconservancy.org). In total, 90 local coordinators are organizing 130 cleanups as part of COASTSWEEP 2003 and 5,000 volunteers are expected to participate. While 2003 marks CZM's 16th year of COASTSWEEP, it also began a new partnership with the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at UMass Boston, which served as the primary coordinator this year in an effort to provide for more consistency and flexibility to the event. For more on marine debris and the COASTSWEEP effort, see the Coastsweep website at http://www.coastsweep.umb.edu. If you are interested in getting involved, email coastsweep@umb.edu.

Invasive Seaweed Response
This summer, CZM received a call from Harwich town officials about massive amounts of the green fleece algae, Codium fragile, washing up on their shores. Codium is an invasive algae native to Japan that was accidentally introduced to the Gulf of Maine in the mid 1960s and has since spread north to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and south to the Carolinas. Now a prolific invader in Massachusetts, codium is washing up in such large quantities in Harwich and other Cape Cod towns that it is keeping residents and visitors from using area beaches. CZM is working with Harwich town officials, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of Agricultural Resources to identify disposal options for the codium, such as landfilling or composting. Codium is now a permanent member of the marine biological community in Massachusetts, and CZM is working on a long-term management plan that includes a survey of codium along the southern coast of Cape Cod, and an evaluation of removal and disposal options for communities dealing with this and other invasive algae. To report a codium problem or to suggest disposal options for marine algae, please email CZM's Jay Baker at jason.baker@state.ma.us. To read more about codium and other aquatic invaders, see the Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan, available for download at http://www.mass.gov/czm/invasives/index.htm.

CZM Awards $25,000 in ACEC Stewardship Grants
CZM recently awarded $25,000 through its Coastal Areas of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Stewardship Grant Program, which provides communities with funding to implement planning, outreach, and monitoring projects to encourage new approaches for municipal and regional planning in ACECs. The four funded projects are: $9,000 to the Weir River Estuary Park Committee to begin developing a land acquisition plan and outreach information about the estuary and public access in the Weir River ACEC; $7,000 to the Saugus River Watershed Council to identify and address sources of pollution in the Rumney Marshes ACEC and expand public knowledge about this important natural resource area; $2,990 to the Massachusetts Audubon Society's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary to host a series of five free field programs for citizens and officials in Wellfleet and Eastham that will highlight the natural history and ecology of the Wellfleet Harbor ACEC; and $6,000 to the Eight Towns and the Bay Committee to create outreach materials on river herring in the Parker River/Essex Bay and Rumney Marshes ACECs. For details on this program, contact CZM's Katie Lund at katie.lund@state.ma.us.

Bay State Is Northeast's #1 Seafood Producer, New Bedford Is Top U.S. Fishing Port
According to National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) statistics for 2002 released on September 17, Massachusetts harvested almost 244 million pounds of fish and shellfish, valued at more than $297 million. This harvest compares to Maine's 212 million pounds at $296 million, making the Commonwealth the highest-ranking seafood producing state in the Northeast. In addition, New Bedford, with $169 million in landings, was ranked the most valuable fishing port in the country. Gloucester also made the top ten list with $41.2 million in landings, making it the ninth most valuable fishing port nationally. For links to the statistics, see http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/publications.html. For a New Bedford Standard Times article on this topic, see http://www.s-t.com/daily/09-03/09-18-03/a15sr109.htm.

Funding Opportunities
Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants (Formerly CPR Plus) - CZM will issue a Request for Responses (RFR) for the Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Source (Coastal NPS) Grant Program in November. Grants are provided to public and nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts coastal watersheds for the following types of projects: assessment, identification, and characterization of nonpoint sources; development of transferable tools (nonstructural best management practices), such as guidance documents, model by-laws, and land use planning strategies; and the implementation of innovative and unique demonstration projects. These grants complement the CPR grants, which fund municipal projects that deal with stormwater discharges from roads, highways, or parking areas or for municipal boat sewage management efforts. CZM is holding a Pre-RFR informational meeting on Thursday, October 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the CZM Office: 251 Causeway Street, 8th Floor, Boston. Potential respondents are strongly encouraged to attend this meeting to discuss the details of proposed projects, particularly since CZM can only offer general information to respondents after the RFR is posted. For details, see http://www.mass.gov/czm/coastalnpsgrants.htm or email Julie Keane, Coastal NPS Grants at julie.keane@state.ma.us.

Massachusetts Environment Trust Grants - The Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET) is seeking proposals through its Unrestricted General Grants program in the following topic areas: ecosystem health and biological diversity, human health and the environment, and environmental education. Letters of Inquiry for these grants are due by November 1. For details, see http://www.agmconnect.org/massenvironmentaltrust/grant-seekers-existing-grantees.htm.

River Restoration Grants - American Rivers is seeking proposals for community-based river restoration grants as part of its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Community-Based Restoration Program. These grants are designed to provide support for local communities that are utilizing dam removal or fish passage to restore and protect the ecological integrity of their rivers and improve freshwater habitats important to migratory (anadromous) fish. Grants will be limited to projects in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California. Applications are due by November 1. See http://www.amrivers.org/feature/restorationgrants.htm for details.

Funding for Environmental Technology Development, Application, and Transfer - In early October, the Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) is releasing Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to develop and apply innovative technologies for managing coastal and estuarine resources. Through its Environmental Technology Program, CICEET funds approximately 15 technology development projects annually, with awards averaging approximately $100,000 per year. Through its Proof of Concept Program, CICEET funds evaluation of novel technologies or methods. Finally, through its Technology Transfer Program, CICEET funds marketing assessments, private-sector partnership identification and solidification, outreach programs, and other mechanisms to transfer technologies developed through prior CICEET funding. For details, see the CICEET website at http://ciceet.unh.edu/.

Reminders - The following grants listed in the September CZ-Mail are still open:

• NOAA's Coastal Services Center Broad Area Announcement for fiscal year 2004 has been published in the Federal Register. This grants program provides funding for the following program areas: landscape characterization and restoration, GIS integration and development, coastal remote sensing, and information resources. The announcement is available at http://www.csc.noaa.gov/funding/CSCgrant.html and proposals are due in October.
  
• The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences/Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research is soliciting proposals for projects to develop an ecological forecasting capability that balances conservation and wise use of coastal resources. See the Federal Register notice for the announcement, which closes November 4.
  
• The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment is soliciting proposals in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine for funding through its Habitat Restoration Grants program. Final applications are due by November 14. For contact information and the full Request for Proposals, see http://gulfofmaine.org/council/opportunities/.
  

Products/Publications
Proceedings from the Rapid Response to Aquatic Nuisance Species Workshop - In May of 2003, the Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel (NEANS) held a workshop entitled "Rapid Response to Aquatic Nuisance Species in the Northeast: Developing an Early Detection and Eradication Protocol." The goal of the workshop was to begin crafting the basic elements of a model Rapid Response Plan for states and provinces in the Northeast. The workshop consisted of presentations from managers who have been involved in rapid response efforts in other areas, followed by a series of breakout discussions on key elements of a regional Rapid Response Plan. NEANS will use the workshop results to guide further rapid response planning efforts in the region. Workshop proceedings are available in PDF (4.97 M) at http://www.northeastans.org/rr_proceedings_9.2003.pdf. A limited number of hard copies are also available by emailing a request to czm@state.ma.us. For more information on NEANS, visit http://www.northeastans.org.

Reminders - The following publications listed in the September CZ-Mail are still available:

• The 2003 edition of Coastlines, CZM's annual magazine is now available electronically and features articles on the shipping industry. For a printed copy, or to add your name to the Coastlines mailing list, email your request to czm@state.ma.us.
• Biological Invaders: Threats from Aquatic Invasive Species and What You Can Do to Keep Them Out of Our Waters is a fact sheet on the invasive species issue, which includes specific tips on how to prevent invasive species introductions. For a hard copy, please email your request to czm@state.ma.us. The electronic version of the Coastlines article, which served as the basis for this fact sheet, is also available in HTML and PDF.
• Environmental Permitting in Massachusetts is a web-based CZM publication that gives permitting guidance for project proponents, consultants, and regulators.

Websites
CSC Beach Nourishment Website - NOAA's Coastal Services Center has developed a website to help state and local organizations make informed decisions about beach nourishment. It includes detailed information on coastal geology and ecology; legal, social, and economic implications; and engineering issues. See http://www3.csc.noaa.gov/beachnourishment/.

Job Postings
Environmental Quality Monitoring Coordinator - The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment is seeking an Environmental Quality Monitoring Coordinator to provide technical, administrative, and logistical support to the Environmental Quality Monitoring Committee and the Gulfwatch program. Applications for this contract position must be postmarked by October 10. For the full position announcement, see http://gulfofmaine.org/council/publications/eqmc_position.doc.

Legislation
An Act to Preserve Fishing Rights - Massachusetts Senate Bill 2043, entitled An Act Relative to Preserving Fishing Rights in the Commonwealth, would amend Chapter 130 of the General Laws to say: "The marine waters of the Commonwealth shall not be closed to fishing unless (i) there is a clear indication that fishing is the cause of a specific conservation problem and that less severe conservation measures, including but not limited to gear restrictions, minimum size requirements, bag limits, or seasonal closures will not provide for the adequate conservation of the affected stocks of fish; (ii) the closed area regulation includes specific measurable criteria to determine the conservation benefit of the closed area on the affected stocks of fish and provides a timetable of periodic review of the continued need for the closed area at least once every 3 years; (iii) the closed area is no larger than that which is supported by the best available scientific information as determined by the division of marine fisheries; and (iv) provisions are made to reopen the closed area to fishing whenever the basis for closure no longer exist." This bill is sponsored by Senators Michael W. Morrissey, Robert L. Hedlund, and Bruce E. Tarr and was referred to the Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture. A hearing date has not yet been set. The history and text of this and other bills is available on the Massachusetts General Court website at http://www.mass.gov/legis/legis.htm.

Calendar
Essex County Smart Growth Forum - On Saturday, November 8, the Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF) is sponsoring Shaping the Future of Essex County - Practical Solutions for Sustainable Growth. For a PDF copy of the forum brochure, which includes an agenda and registration information, see http://www.eccf.org/forum/std.pdf.

Massachusetts Archaeology Week - October 11-19 marks the 12th annual celebration of the Commonwealth's archaeological heritage and will include more than 60 events. See http://www.mass.gov/sec/mhc/mhcarch/archidx.htm for details.

Wetlands 2003 - The Association of State Wetlands Managers is hosting the national Wetlands 2003 symposium, Landscape Scale Wetland Assessment and Management, in Nashua, NH, on October 20-23. The goal of the symposium is to build the capabilities of local governments, states, federal agencies, not for profits, and others to assess and manage wetlands and related ecosystems on a landscape level. For details see http://www.aswm.org/calendar/2003am/cover9.htm.

Reminders: The following calendar items posted in the September CZ-Mail are still to come:

• COASTSWEEP cleanups are still being held throughout October. Join the thousands of volunteers that turn out to remove trash and other marine debris from hundreds of beaches. For details, see http://www.mass.gov/czm/coastsweep.htm.
• The Massachusetts Coastal Training Program maintains a calendar of workshops and other training events for coastal decision makers and others interested in managing the coastal zone. For more information, see http://www.coastaltraining.org/events/index.htm.
• The Boston Harbor Islands Science Symposium and the Boston Harbor Educators Conference will be held from October 4-7. For details see: http://www.bostonislands.com/science/index.html.

Other Items of Interest
End of an Era - After more than 12 years, Jane Mead, CZM's Project Review Coordinator, is taking early retirement in October. Along with overseeing CZM's review of thousands of coastal projects, some highlights of Jane's CZM career include:

• Updating the Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management Plan and the CZM Enforceable Policies and Management Principless (PDF, 191).
• Writing Environmental Permitting in Massachusetts, a guide providing clear, brief descriptions of the major Massachusetts environmental permits.
• Serving as CZM's energy and marine transportation expert, writing numerous articles on these topics for CZM's Coastlines, such as: "Through the Eyes of a Mariner: Touring the Port of Boston" (see the HTML version and the PDF version, which also features Jane's photography and cartography) and "Energy: A Major Coastal Zone Management Issue" (see the HTML version and the PDF version).

Jane's extensive knowledge of coastal permits and regulations, along with the exceptional working relationships she has developed with permitting staff from dozens of federal and state agencies will be sorely missed here at CZM. We all wish Jane the best!

Joe Costa Recognized for Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Work - Dr. Joseph Costa, Director of the Buzzards Bay Project National Estuary Program (BBP), received a "Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of notable services which have assisted greatly in furthering the aims and functions of the Coast Guard" for his work in response to the April 27 oil spill. The award was presented Captain Mary E. Landry, Commander of the Marine Safety Office Providence for Joe's work to inform the public and municipal officials about the oil spill through updates, maps, and analysis posted on the BBP website, as well as for maps prepared for public meetings and legislators and agencies involved with the spill. Congratulations to Joe for this well-deserved award! For continued updates on the spill, see http://www.buzzardsbay.org/oilspill-4-28-03.htm.

Nominate a Visionary - The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment (GOMC) is seeking nominations for Gulf of Maine Visionary and Longard Volunteer Awards. Nominations must be received by October 10. See the GOMC opportunities page for details.

Researchers Explore Sunken Ships on Stellwagen - NOAA and the National Undersea Research Center at the University of Connecticut are surveying the wreck of the famed 19th-century steamship Portland, along with other sunken vessels within the NOAA Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Victor Mastone and David Trubey, Director and Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Bureau of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR), participated in the survey. For details on the expedition, see http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s2090.htm. For more on BUAR, see http://www.mass.gov/czm/buar/index.htm.

CZ Tip for October
Resources for Educators on Marine and Coastal Issues - Although summer is but a memory, the coast does not need to be abandoned until school lets out next year. Coastal and marine environments are perfect teaching tools, and the web provides abundant resources for marine education. See the CZM Tip of the Month for October at http://www.mass.gov/czm/tipofthemonth/october03teacherresources.htm for a detailed list of resources for educators.

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.