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CZ-Mail November 2005 Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly email newsletter 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 at http://www.mass.gov/czm/. If you have suggestions on making CZ-Mail more useful, would like your name added to the mailing list, or would like your name removed, please email your request to CZ-Mail@state.ma.us. All links on this web page were current and working on the date of publication.
Coastal Smart Growth Website Launched Stormwater runoff polluting shellfish beds and swimming areas, sprawling development shrinking habitats and displacing working waterfront businesses, and water use for expanding lawns leading to rivers running dry—these and other coastal management issues have a common link—historic and current development patterns. Recognizing the connection between land and sea, CZM's new Coastal Smart Growth Website includes planning, technical, regulatory, and outreach tools for real-world growth management that protects coastal resources. New Pre-Filing Procedures for Review of LNG Terminals The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is amending its regulations, as required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), to require prospective applicants to begin the FERC pre-filing review process at least six months prior to filing an application for authorization to site and construct a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. These new procedures are designed to encourage LNG terminal applicants to cooperate with state and local officials. The pre-filing regulations also apply to applications for certain pipeline and other natural gas facilities, and for modifications to an existing or authorized LNG terminal if significant safety considerations need to be addressed. The rule will become effective November 17. For more information, contact Richard Hoffmann, Office of Energy Projects, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8066, or at richard.hoffmann@ferc.gov. A press release is also available on the FERC website. Wetlands Restoration WRP Selects FY2006 Priority Projects - CZM's Wetlands Restoration Program (WRP) has accepted 10 new designated priority projects through a Request for Responses (RFR) nomination process. These sites become program priorities and are eligible to receive WRP technical assistance—either internally through staff or externally through firms pre-qualified to offer restoration technical services. For more information, including a location map and aerial images of each site, see the WRP website. Dennis/Brewster Restoration Project Complete - Good news for river herring! The Quivett Creek Salt Marsh and Fish Run Restoration Project in Dennis and Brewster was completed in early October. The restoration project installed a larger box culvert to replace a failed set of culverts that had restricted normal tidal flows to 10 acres of upstream salt marsh. The old pipes also blocked a once-thriving herring run. Tidal exchange and fish passage are now both restored, and an attractive cedar plank bridge now spans the new culvert. Engineering design work was donated through the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership by The Louis Berger Group. The project received additional funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Restoration Center, the FishAmerica Foundation, the Gulf of Maine/NOAA Habitat Restoration Grant Program, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Conservation Law Foundation/Restore America's Estuaries partnership. CZM is proud to have assisted with technical services and project management. For more information, see the WRP website. Sandwich Restoration Projects Breaks Ground - Restoration construction began in late October at the former State Game Farm in East Sandwich. The project will partially remove an earthen causeway and dilapidated water control structure and establish a new channel section to convey tidal flows from Scorton Creek to upstream salt marshes. The salt marshes have been cut off from normal tidal flushing since the dike was built in the 1920s. The project is sponsored by the Thornton W. Burgess Society, with funding and support provided by WRP, Ducks Unlimited, NOAA, the Conservation Law Foundation/Restore America's Estuaries partnership, NRCS, Massachusetts Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership, and Horsley Witten Group. For more information, see the WRP website. Grants/Funding Opportunities Wetland Restoration Grants RFR Posted - WRP has issued an RFR seeking proposals for wetland restoration grants for designated priority projects. Activities that are eligible to receive grants include construction and related activities, as well as post-construction monitoring. Approximately $200,000 in funding is anticipated to be available for the Fiscal Year 2006 grant round. To view the RFR, visit the Comm-PASS website and search for document number "ENV 06 CZM 08." Proposals are due by December 1. CICEET Requests Proposals for Environmental Technology Development - The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) is seeking preliminary proposals for the Environmental Technology Development (ETD) Program. Through this program, CICEET makes strategic investments in the development and application of technology to monitor, manage, and prevent the contamination and degradation of coastal and estuarine waters and habitats. Funding is available to U.S. scientists and innovators from academia, private industry, and the public sector who seek to develop tools that meet the priority needs of coastal management. The deadline for preliminary proposal submission is November 21, at noon. Reminders - The following funding opportunities listed in the last CZ-Mail are still available:
Wetlands Restoration Program Update - CZM's Wetlands Restoration Program (WRP) has posted its October 2005 Update that includes articles about recently completed restorations, progress reports for selected projects, and summaries of other WRP activities. Still Available - These CZM products and publications, listed in the last CZ-Mail, are still available:
Environmental Impacts of Hurricane Katrina - NOAA is working with other agencies in evaluating the potential environmental impacts of hurricane Katrina on living marine resources and has developed a website detailing these efforts. Coastal Projects under CZM Review MMS to Take Lead Role in Cape Wind Project - As a result of the federal Energy Policy Act that was passed earlier this year, the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) now has lead authority for renewable energy projects, such as wave, wind, or solar energy on offshore lands, and other projects that make alternative use of existing oil and natural gas platforms. For the Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound, MMS will assume the role currently held by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and will issue the final Environmental Impact Statement when it is complete. A press release issued by MMS explaining the change is also available. Coast Guard Licensing for Second LNG Project Moves Forward - On October 7, the U.S. Coast Guard determined that Neptune LNG LLC, the proponents for the Neptune Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project, had submitted sufficient information to allow the project's Deepwater Port Act licensing process to proceed. This determination begins an approximately 330-day review period, during which environmental documentation for the project will be developed and published for public review. To help identify and determine the scope of environmental issues to be addressed, the public is encouraged to participate in this scoping process. Public hearings are scheduled in Boston on November 2 and in Gloucester on November 3. Both meetings are from 6 - 8 p.m. and will be preceded by an informational open house from 4:30 - 6 p.m. The Neptune project is a proposal for an LNG docking facility in Massachusetts Bay and undersea pipeline connection to the existing Hubline. For more information about the Deepwater Port Act and the Neptune Project, see the U.S. Coast Guard Website. Additionally, the Neptune project is undergoing review by the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA). Comments are due to the MEPA office by November 7. Public Comment Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Budget - On October 26, the EOEA held a hearing to allow interested parties to provide their comments as part of the Fiscal Year 2007 budget recommendation process. For those not able to attend the hearing, written comments can be submitted to: Stephen R. Pritchard, Secretary Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900 Boston, MA 02114 ATTENTION: FY 07 Budget All comments are due by November 18. Reminders - The following public comment period listed in the last CZ-Mail is still open:
Grants Program Coordinator - CZM is seeking a Grants Program Coordinator for the Coastal Pollution Remediation and the Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Grants Programs. The Coordinator will work with municipalities, non-profits, and other organizations to craft pollution assessment and remediation projects, in addition to leading the proposal review process, developing scopes of work for funded projects, and administering all aspects of each program. The Coordinator will also work with staff of the Coastal Nonpoint Source Pollution Program to provide technical support and assistance on state and local low impact development and stormwater management initiatives. The application deadline is November 7. Marine Program Director - The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is seeking a Marine Program Director in its Brunswick, Maine office. This position has primary responsibility for ensuring the success of TNC's engagement in marine conservation in the Gulf of Maine generally, and actions to conserve the Cobscook Bay marine ecosystem in particular, by working with partners to develop multi-facetted regional and community-based collaborative initiatives. The application deadline is November 18. Calendar Shipwrecks of Salem Bay - Salem Sound Coastwatch will hold its annual meeting on November 3, 6:30-8:45 p.m., at the Salem Maritime Visitors Center. A slide talk, "Shipwrecks of Salem Bay," will be presented by Raymond Bates, Jr. author of Shipwrecks North of Boston. This free event is open to the public. RSVP is requested, not required. Ipswich River Restoration Conference - The Ipswich River Watershed Association is holding the Ipswich River Restoration Conference, on November 5 at North Shore Community College in Danvers. The free conference will feature a keynote address by Secretary of Commonwealth Development Douglas Foy, a talk by Congressman John F. Tierney, and informative presentations on restoration goals, water conservation, and Low Impact Development. It will conclude with a site visit to an advanced solar aquatics and constructed wetland wastewater treatment system at New England Biolabs in Ipswich. To register, contact Emily Levin, at or call (978) 887-2313. Wetlands Restoration Workshop - On November 15-16, the Association of State Wetland Managers and the Institute for Wetland Science and Public Policy is hosting Integrated Restoration of Riverine Wetlands, Streams, Riparian Areas, and Floodplains in Watershed Contexts, at the University of Massachusetts Campus Center in Amherst. The workshop goal is to build integrated state, tribal, and local federal government stream, riverine wetland, riparian area, and floodplain protection and restoration capabilities. LNG Development in the Northeast Conference - A two-day conference on LNG Development in the Northeast will be held in Boston on December 5-6. Topics include: LNG and its rising demand; state regulatory perspectives; safety and security in the post-9/11 world; U.S. Coast Guard perspectives on security issues; and industry perspectives on safety issues. Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Meeting - The Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission will meet at 1:00 p.m. on December 5 in the meeting room at Cape Cod National Seashore Headquarters, Marconi Station, Wellfleet. The meeting is open to the public and interested parties may make oral/written presentations to the Commission. Reminders - The following calendar items, posted in the last CZ-Mail, are still to come:
New Hampshire Coastal Waters Designated an NDA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved New Hampshire's request to designate its coastal waters as a No Discharge Area (NDA)-discharges of treated and untreated boat sewage are prohibited within three miles of the shore. This designation applies to all of New Hampshire's coastal waters. For more information about NDAs in the Commonwealth, see CZM's NDA page. Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Dorchester Bay - The U.S. Coast Guard is temporarily changing the drawbridge operating regulations governing the operation of the William T. Morrisey Boulevard Bridge, across Dorchester Bay in Boston. The bridge will remain in the closed position from November 1 through May 10, 2006. This action is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance. Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Fort Point Channel - The U.S. Coast Guard has temporarily changed the drawbridge operation regulations that govern the operation of the Northern Avenue Bridge, across Fort Point Channel in Boston. A one-hour advance notice will be required for bridge openings from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., November 1 through November 14. This temporary deviation is necessary to allow for bridge maintenance. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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