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CZ-Mail February 2006 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 Hazards Commission With more than 1,500 miles of coastline, Massachusetts is vulnerable to the damaging impacts of northeasters and hurricanes, and experiences regular storm damage from even minor storms. To tackle these issues Governor Romney and the Legislature have asked EOEA, through CZM, to launch a Coastal Hazards Commission (CHC) that will be charged with reviewing existing coastal hazards practices and policies, identifying data and information gaps, and drafting recommendations for administrative, regulatory, and statutory changes, if deemed necessary. This Commission will produce a report that will include a 20-year Coastal Infrastructure and Protection Plan, initially for the South Shore and ultimately for the entire Massachusetts coastline, as well as recommendations to improve coastal hazards management coast-wide. The CHC was launched in January and is expected to conclude its initial work by mid-November. CZM Director Susan Snow-Cotter will chair the CHC on behalf of the Secretary. Stay tuned to CZ-Mail for updates on the Commission's efforts. Seafloor Habitat Study CZM is partnering with the Massachusetts Fishermen's Partnership, a commercial fisherman, Northeastern University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sea Grant Office to study the seafloor habitat in Massachusetts Bay. The goals of the study are to: tap commercial fishermen's knowledge of the ocean environment to identify locations within existing mapped areas within existing seafloor maps that warrant further groundtruthing to improve understanding of the character of seafloor habitat; construct an underwater sampling device to observe the seafloor and use fishing vessels as a research platform; and devise and test a systematic approach to collect and analyze seafloor habitat data. This collaborative study is a demonstration project funded through the Northeast Consortium. For more details, contact CZM's Tony Wilbur. State Bans Importation and Sale of Invasive Plants As of January 1, the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) will begin a two-step ban on the importation and sale of more than 140 plants identified as noxious and/or invasive in the Commonwealth. This list of plants has been in development for three years in collaboration with a number of agricultural organizations including Massachusetts Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) and the Massachusetts Invasive Plants Advisory Group (MIPAG). For more information, go to the Prohibited Plant List. Cod Fishing Closure Extended To provide greater protection for what can be considered the last vestige of the Gulf of Maine cod stock, and to meet the management goals of the New England Fishery Management Council (Council), the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) created and closed a Cod Conservation Zone within the state waters of Massachusetts Bay. Based on agency ongoing work and growing knowledge of cod distribution, abundance, and spawning condition in this area, this cod fishing closure has been extended until February 28 (originally set to expire on January 15). The Council has expended considerable efforts to sustain and improve the health of the cod stock in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank. Despite these initiatives, the condition of both stocks—especially for Gulf of Maine cod—is not what is required for the Council to reach cod population targets. For more information about this closure and other DMF advisories, go to the DMF Website. 2006 Secretary's Awards for Excellence In Environmental Education Environmental Affairs Secretary Stephen R. Pritchard, in partnership with the Secretary's Advisory Group on Environmental Education (SAGEE) and the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, is currently accepting nominations for the 2006 Secretary's Award for Excellence in Environmental Education. The Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) will review nominations in late March. Awardees will be notified in early April and invited to attend a formal award ceremony at the State House. EOEA encourages all Commonwealth K-12 schools to submit nominations for outstanding environmental education programs. Application details are available on the EOEA Website. For more information, contact Meg Colclough. The deadline for nominations is March 15. Boston City Hall's "Green Roof" Now Open The city of Boston has completed work on a new "green roof" at City Hall. Green roofs have many environmental benefits. They can reduce stormwater runoff and help improve air and water quality by filtering out pollutants and preventing smog. Green roofs also cool the surface of the roof, reducing the need for heating and cooling systems. Now that the project is complete, those interested can tour this green roof by visiting the 8th or 9th floors at Boston City Hall. For more information about this effort, see the press release. See CZM's Smart Growth Website for more information about green roofs. CZM Staff & People CZM Technical Assistance Writer - To develop content for CZM's growing website and produce guidance documents and other technical assistance materials, CZM welcomed Betsy Rickards as a Technical Assistance Writer in January. She has extensive professional and academic experience, most notably, she served for four years as a Conservation Commission Administrator for Manchester-by-the-Sea. Previously she was a Land Use Planner for the County of San Mateo in California. Betsy, a Cape Cod native, has a Masters of Science from Oregon State University in Marine Resource Management. Water Quality Grants Program Coordinator - In January, CZM welcomed Marilyn McCrory as the Water Quality Grants Program Coordinator. Marilyn will be overseeing both the Coastal Nonpoint Source (Coastal NPS) and the Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) Grant Programs, and will be assisting with various technical assistance components of CZM's Coastal NPS Program. Marilyn joins us from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), where she has been assisting with an U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funded project to implement Low Impact Development (LID) techniques in the Ipswich River Watershed. She also brings significant technical writing and proposal management experience through her work with Metcalf & Eddy, an environmental consulting firm. Fiscal Manager - In January, CZM welcomed Chris Garby as the Fiscal Manager. Chris manages all details of CZM's fiscal affairs, including federal grants, capital spending, and procurement and contracting. He comes to CZM from DCR, where he worked for the last five years, most recently as the Capital Funds Manager. Chris replaces Maura Christhilf, who served as CZM's Fiscal Manager since 2002, helping all of us with her great attention to detail, level-headed management approach, and genuine commitment to the CZM program. Grants/Funding Opportunities Grassroots Grants in Taunton River Watershed - Residents of the Taunton River watershed are invited to apply for a new grant opportunity to fund local environmental projects that protect land and water resources. A total of $15,000 is available for mini-grants ($500 to $3,000) that are open to grassroots, unincorporated groups of residents as well as small nonprofit groups working on environmental issues. The grant program is part of The Taunton River Watershed Campaign, a two-year effort to conserve land, water, and community character, funded last year by the Sheehan Family Foundation of Kingston. Applications are due by February 17. NOAA Opens 2006 Aquaculture Competition - NOAA has announced up to $4 million in competitive grants for demonstration projects and research targeted to the development of sustainable marine aquaculture in the United States. Coordinated by the NOAA Aquaculture Program and NOAA Research, the competition will consider aquaculture research and demonstration projects in nearshore, open-water, or terrestrial environments across a range of scientific disciplines. Institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations; commercial organizations; federal, state, local, and Indian tribal governments; and individuals are eligible to apply. For more information, go to NOAA's Website and look for the link under "News." Preliminary proposals are due February 28. Full proposals are due April 13. Marine Habitat Restoration Grants - The National Association of Counties and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in cooperation with the Community-Based Restoration Program within NOAA Fisheries, have announced a new program targeting marine habitat restoration in coastal counties. The Coastal Counties Restoration Initiative provides financial assistance on a competitive basis to innovative, high quality county-led or supported initiatives that foster community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects through project planning and hands-on conservation. Grants will range from $25,000-$100,000, based upon need. Proposals are due February 24. MIT Sea Grant Research Funding - The MIT Sea Grant College Program is soliciting preliminary proposals for research projects to begin March 1, 2007. Detailed guidance for submitting proposals is available on the Sea Grant Website. Pre-proposals are due March 8. View the current proposal preparation calendar at http://web.mit.edu/seagrant/CFP/. USFWS Seeks Proposals for Endangered Species Grants - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is now seeking proposals from states and U.S. territories interested in acquiring land or planning for endangered species conservation. More than $70 million is available in the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund for conservation planning activities and habitat acquisition for federally protected species. Proposals are due by March 20. USFWS Coastal Program - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Program provides financial and technical assistance for coastal habitat conservation, including coastal riverine and estuarine habitat conservation. Eligible projects must be located in one of the Coastal Program's focus areas, which includes all of the Massachusetts coast. Applicants must contact the regional Coastal Program office for more details, including application deadlines. North Atlantic Right Whale Research Funding - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Office are pleased to announce two sources of funding for North Atlantic Right Whale research. The Right Whale Research Program focuses on gear investigation and testing to reduce death and/or serious injury and projects that address North Atlantic Right Whale biological needs to support the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan. For more information, go to http://www.nfwf.org/programs/whale_gear.cfm. The Atlantic Coast States Cooperative Planning for Right Whale Recovery Program focuses on North Atlantic Right Whale recovery through the development or implementation of recovery plan tasks. For more information, go to http://www.nfwf.org/programs/whale_right.cfm. §319 Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is expected to issue a Request for Responses (RFR) for funding under the §319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Competitive Grants Program on or about April 1, with full proposals due in June. A pre-RFR meeting is expected to take place in March. Information about the RFR and pre-RFR meeting will be posted on the Comm-PASS website. Search for the keyword "319." To discuss project ideas now, contact DEP's §319 coordinator, e-mail Jane Peirce or call (508) 767-2792. Go to DEP's Website for information about past §319 projects. Contracting Opportunities/Request for Responses Existing and Potential Ocean-Based Energy Uses in Massachusetts - EOEA, through CZM, is soliciting proposals from qualified contractors to inventory existing, proposed, and reasonably foreseeable (within the next decade, approximately) energy facilities and associated infrastructure located within Massachusetts state waters, in addition to federal waters beyond state jurisdiction, up to 200 miles offshore. This project will include a descriptive characterization as well as Geographic Information System (GIS) data and GIS-produced map products. The maximum funding available for this contract is $45,000, for work conducted between February-June 2006. To view the RFR, visit the Comm-PASS website and search for document number "ENV 06 CZM 15." Proposals are due February 10. Products/Publications MassHighway Design Guidebook - In January, the Massachusetts Highway Department released the MassHighway Project Development and Design Guidebook, which replaced the 1997 MassHighway Design Manual. The new guidebook allows for significantly greater flexibility in design requirements. Some recommendations focus on preservation of natural resources, including narrowed paved roadways (reducing impervious surface area), and Low Impact Development (LID) techniques (recognizing classic New England downtown type development, including stone walls and historic districts). The new guidebook also places much more emphasis on community aesthetics beyond the paved roadway to ensure a road design is more compatible with the community surroundings. Finally, the guidebook discusses how to get a project from planning to construction, including early involvement by local boards such as the Conservation Commission. EPA Guidebook on Managing Runoff Pollution Caused by Urban Activities - EPA has released a free guidebook on managing runoff pollution caused by urban activities. National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas is an information source for states and cities to use in their pollution-management programs for protecting waterways. The guidebook contains 12 management measures to help establish performance goals for stormwater control programs, and to reduce the impacts of urban runoff. Nonpoint source pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many sources including contaminated runoff from paved surfaces, malfunctioning septic systems, pet wastes, over-applied fertilizers and pesticides, improperly disposed household chemicals, and motor-vehicle fluids. New Document on Rapid Response to Invasive Species - EPA's Office of Water has released a publication entitled Overview of EPA Authorities for Natural Resource Managers Developing Aquatic Invasive Species Rapid Response and Management Plans. This publication provides an overview of EPA authorities that may apply to aquatic invasive species rapid response or control actions and provides a tool for natural resource managers developing aquatic invasive species rapid response and management plans. Order a free copy of this document (#EPA842-B-05-002) from the EPA Water Resource Center at (202) 566-1729. Modeling Needs for Ecosystem-Based Management in the Gulf of Maine - To facilitate the coordination of marine research and monitoring in and around the Gulf of Maine, the National Center for Coastal Ocean Science supported the Modeling Needs Related to the Regional Observing System in the Gulf of Maine workshop in July 2005. One in a series of workshops coordinated by the Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine, it provided a venue to identify management needs for modeling and prediction in relation to the emerging regional observing systems in the Gulf of Maine. View presentations and posters or the workshop report from the meeting. For more information, contact Elizabeth Turner. New Draft Watershed Handbook Released - The Draft Handbook for Developing Watershed Plans to Restore and Protect Our Waters is aimed toward communities, watershed groups, and local, state, tribal, and federal environmental agencies. This handbook contains in-depth guidance on quantifying existing pollutant loads, developing estimates of the load reductions required to meet water quality standards, developing effective management measures, and tracking progress once the plan is implemented. EPA will be accepting comments and suggestions on the document in the coming year to incorporate in the final version of the handbook. Address any comments to watershedhandbook@epa.gov by June 30. EPA Releases New Report on Density and Water Resources - EPA has released a new report—Protecting Water Resources with Higher-Density Development—for water quality professionals, communities, local governments, and state and regional planners who are grappling with protecting or enhancing their water resources while accommodating growing populations. Water Reuse Report - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) has released Once Is Not Enough, a report that describes different forms of water reuse and highlights case studies demonstrating that water reuse is a practical and beneficial strategy in Massachusetts. While commonly associated with arid regions, water reuse has a place in all climates. One important strategy to reduce water demand is the reclamation of treated wastewater for nonpotable uses such as landscaping, industrial processes, and toilet flushing. EPA Fact Sheets - EPA has developed a set of fact sheets that describe Best Management Practices for construction site stormwater runoff control. These fact sheets are designed to provide guidance to regulated communities regarding the types of practices they could use to implement stormwater management programs under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Phase II stormwater requirements. Still Available - These CZM/EOEA products and publications, listed in the last CZ-Mail, are still available:
NOAA Offers Free Navigational Charts Online - Mariners can now get free electronic downloads of NOAA Raster Navigational Charts. A raster chart is a digitally scanned image of a paper nautical chart used by mariners for navigation. Recently, the raster charts were incorporated into international standards for electronic chart systems and are now accepted as meeting international chart regulations for Safety of Life at Sea vessels. NOAA will produce official raster charts and deliver weekly updates with Notice to Mariners—notices containing changes in local navigational information. NOAA also plans to make these charts available on the website in an easy-to-view format for non-navigational purposes, such as port security and management, marine boundary delineation, coastal zone management, and environmental assessment and spill response. Teacher at Sea Program Launches New Website - NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program has launched a new website, better enabling teachers from kindergarten through college to find and apply for opportunities to get first-hand research experience aboard NOAA hydrographic, oceanographic, and fisheries research vessels. Teachers who sail aboard NOAA ships write daily logs of their experiences, which are posted on the web. Now in its 15th year, this program has enabled more than 430 teachers to gain first-hand experience in science at sea. Teachers can enrich their science lesson plans with a depth of understanding made possible by living and working with those who contribute to the world's body of scientific knowledge. NOAA Offers New Educational Discovery Kit on Nonpoint Source Pollution - The new online educational product, The Nonpoint Source Pollution Discovery Kit, explains the history of pollution; the differences between point and nonpoint source pollution; types of pollutants; and how scientists monitor, assess, and control nonpoint source pollution. This is one of five kits from NOAA's National Ocean Service, which are written in plain language and a "student-friendly style," with use of multimedia features to visually illustrate difficult concepts. Designed for the high school level, they can be easily adapted for middle school and college undergraduate levels. View all Discovery Kits, including kits on corals, tides and water levels, geodesy, and estuaries, on the NOAA Website. Website for the Exchange of Ocean Information - The World Ocean Observatory, dedicated to public education about the world's oceans, has established this website as an online place of exchange for ocean information and educational services. The site has four sections: the physical ocean, the world ocean directory, the world ocean forum, and the world ocean classroom. These resources are accessible to the public and will be further shared through partnerships with existing history and children's museums, science centers, aquariums, libraries, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, schools, and other educational institutions around the world. EPA System to Identify Causes of Biological Impairments in Waters - EPA has released a new web-based tool, the Causal Analysis/Diagnosis Decision Information System (CADDIS), which is intended to simplify determining the cause of contamination in impaired rivers, streams, and estuaries. More than a thousand U.S. water bodies have been identified as impaired, and in many cases, the cause is unknown. Before restorative or remedial actions can be taken, the cause of impairment must be determined. CADDIS provides a standardized and accessible system to help scientists find, use, and share information to determine the causes of aquatic impairment. The version of CADDIS released is the first of three. Future versions will include modules to quantify stressor-response relationships, and databases and syntheses of relevant literature on sediments and toxic metals. NOAA National Weather Service Unveils New Precipitation Web Page - High-quality precipitation analyses used for flood forecasts, drought monitoring, and climate trends are being made available on the NOAA National Weather Service Web site on a trial basis through June 2006. During this time, comments regarding the service will be collected to determine whether it effectively meets users' needs and whether the service should be continued after the trial period. Public Comment Coastal Assessment and Strategy - On February 28, CZM will host a public meeting to solicit oral and written comments on its Draft Coastal Assessment and Strategy. Once finalized, this strategy will guide CZM's efforts to enhance the management of the following program areas: Wetlands, Public Access, Coastal Hazards, Cumulative and Secondary Impacts, Energy and Government Facility Siting, Marine Debris, Ocean Resources, Special Area Management, and Aquaculture. State Coastal Zone Management Programs are required to review progress in these areas every five years, and update and develop new strategies as appropriate. The meeting will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Atrium of 251 Causeway Street, Boston. Written comments may be sent to czm@state.ma.us or mailed to CZM, Attention: Sarah Joor, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02114. Alternate Energy-Related Uses on the Outer Continental Shelf - The U.S. Department of Interior's Minerals Management Service (MMS) is seeking comments on the development of a regulatory program to implement portions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Specifically, MMS is seeking comments regarding energy development from sources other than oil and gas and alternate uses of existing facilities. Comments, due by February 28, can be submitted on the MMS Website. DSEIS and NPC for Boston Harbor Dredging Available for Comment - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, has prepared a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) and State Notice of Project Change (NPC) to maintenance dredge portions of Boston Harbor. Maintenance dredging of the navigation channels is needed to remove shoals and restore the federal navigation channels to their authorized depths. To receive a copy of the DSEIS, Executive Summary, or provide comments on the DSEIS/NPC, contact Catherine Rogers, Ecologist, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Evaluation Branch, 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742. Comments are due by February 27. Proposed Flood Elevation Determinations for Areas of Nantucket and Falmouth - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting technical information or comments on the proposed Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for areas of Nantucket and Falmouth. The BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that a community must adopt to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. The proposed BFEs are available for inspection at the town hall in each community. For additional information, contact FEMA's Doug Bellomo at (202) 646-2903. Reminders - The following public comment periods listed in the last CZ-Mail are still open:
Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist - CZM is seeking an Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist (AIS Specialist) to build on the invasive species rapid response planning efforts of CZM and the Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel (NEANS Panel). The AIS Specialist will assist states in the Northeast Region in developing and implementing early detection and eradication protocols for aquatic invasive species. This is one-year position, funded by the NOAA Coastal Services Center. Applications are due by February 17. Ocean Policy Partnership Project Coordinator - To improve the science and management of ocean resources in Massachusetts waters, a Massachusetts Ocean Policy Partnership Fund is being developed as a public-private partnership program. The Partnership is seeking applicants for the position of Project Coordinator for the development of a Massachusetts Ocean Policy Partnership Fund initiative. The coordinator is primarily responsible for ensuring the successful development of a Strategic Plan for the Massachusetts Ocean Policy Partnership Fund, and will also be responsible for helping shape the long-term structure of the Partnership in consultation with the Partnership Steering Committee. Applications are due by February 8. New England Science-Policy Coordinator - COMPASS (COMmunication PArtnerhsip for Science and the Sea) is seeking applications for New England Science-Policy Coordinator based at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). COMPASS is a collaborative effort to advance and communicate marine conservation science to policy makers, marine resource managers, journalists, and the public to inform decision-making processes and to accelerate the pace of sound solutions to important marine environmental problems. The coordinator will work to implement COMPASS' goals and strategies with a New England focus, working closely with UNH's Dr. Andrew Rosenberg and the COMPASS team located throughout the country. Candidates should have a strong marine science (particularly marine ecology) background with experience in ocean policy and communications/outreach. Applications are due by February 15. Calendar Open Space Workshops - On February 4, Essex County Forum-Smart Growth for Livable Communities is holding a Workshop entitled Creating a Municipal Open Space Inventory/Open Space Network. The Forum's latest publication, Preserving the Future: a Guide for Creating a Municipal Open Space Inventory will be presented. The workshop is being held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Mass Audubon's Endicott Wildlife Sanctuary, 346 Grapevine Road, Wenham. On February 9, Essex County Forum-Smart Growth for Livable Communities will hold the workshop Combining Open Space and Affordable Housing: Meeting Two Diverse Goals in a Single Project North Shore Task Force. The workshop is being held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Peabody Institute Library, Gordon Room, Sylvan Street, Danvers. Many communities struggle with how to protect land and provide affordable housing opportunities. This workshop highlights 13 examples in eight Massachusetts communities that included land conservation and production of affordable housing in a single project. LID Workshop for Landscaping Professionals - On February 9, the North & South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA), the Greenscapes Program, and the Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA) are hosting a workshop entitled "Protecting and Conserving Water in the Landscape." The workshop will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell. As communities are embracing the concepts of LID, this workshop will provide valuable information regarding the opportunities and responsibilities facing the landscaping industry as well as homeowners. Topics include: rain gardens, riparian buffers, green roofs, porous pavement, cisterns and dry wells, and groundwater recharge. The Greenscapes program is a regional outreach effort sponsored by NSRWA, the Massachusetts Bays Program, and several South Shore municipalities. For more information about Greenscapes or this workshop, see the Greenscapes Website. Coastal Summit - On March 1-3, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) is sponsoring a coastal summit bringing together technical experts, Members of Congress, and coastal activists from across the country. The Summit, to be held in Washington, DC, will feature presentations on Gulf Coast recovery and disaster response and mitigation, the Integrated Ocean Observing System, handicap beach and coastal access issues, and off-shore drilling and oil and gas exploration. In addition, discussions and presentation by members of the Congressional Coastal Caucus and the Congressional Hazards Caucus will be incorporated into the events. The latest program agenda is available by emailing beaches@asbpa.org. Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference - On March 11, the Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference, Conserving Land and Community, will be held at the Bancroft School in Worcester. Through workshops, discussions, and informal conversations, this annual conference provides land trust board members, volunteers, staff, municipal commission members, and others interested in land conservation with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to be effective. The one-day conference will feature 28 workshops on topics ranging from land protection strategies to community outreach tools. Wastewater Management Seminar - On March 14, the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension will be hosting an all-day workshop (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at its Narragansett Bay Campus entitled Local Wastewater Management: Starting It, Running It, and Clearing the Hurdles. The workshop will highlight the struggles and successes of Rhode Island communities who have effectively implemented plans to protect public health and manage water quality from a watershed perspective. Attendance can be used to earn four Continuing Education Units. Seafloor Mapping Workshop - On March 23, CZM will hold a workshop to share results of completed and ongoing seafloor mapping and habitat studies in Massachusetts, discuss approaches to apply seafloor mapping data to management and research initiatives, and identify needs of the management community to make seafloor mapping and study data useful in facilitating coastal and ocean management. This free, one-day workshop, to be held at the John Joseph Moakley U.S. Courthouse in Boston, is a follow-up to an inaugural seafloor mapping workshop held in 2005. Last year's workshop identified ongoing and planned mapping through the CZM/U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) seafloor mapping initiative. The workshop will show products from these seafloor mapping studies and will demonstrate the importance of seafloor maps to improve our understanding of the geologic framework, habitat character and management of the seafloor. To attend this workshop, please contact CZM's Tony Wilbur. LID Workshop - CZM and the Essex County Forum-Smart Growth for Livable Communities will hold LID workshop on March 29 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers. Low Impact Development techniques use an integrated approach to site design, stormwater management, and water conservation to protect the natural terrain and hydrology. These techniques, regulatory models, and successful local case studies will be discussed. LID is one of the many tools that communities have to achieve their Smart Growth goals. The workshop will include concepts, case studies, and regulatory models. The location and exact time will be announced in the March CZ-Mail. For more information, contact Andrea Cooper. View directions to the workshop. Computational Science for Natural Resource Managers - This four-day workshop will be held April 19-22 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The workshop is designed for natural resource managers, academic researchers, and students working on problems in resource management. The objective is to provide a rapid introduction to the application of computational approaches to the problems and practices associated with managing natural resources. Significant financial support for travel, registration and housing expenses are available to qualified applicants. Reminders - The following calendar items, posted in the last CZ-Mail, are still to come:
America's Waterway Watch - The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking help in keeping America's waterways safe and secure. Tow boat operators, recreational boaters, fisherman, marina operators, or those that live, work, or engage in recreational activities around America's waterways, can participate in the America's Waterway Watch (AWW) program, a nationwide initiative similar to the well known and successful Neighborhood Watch program that asks community members to report suspicious activities to local law enforcement agencies. Massachusetts General Laws Web Pages Updated - The Massachusetts General Laws web pages have been reworked with a new look and feel that includes searching capabilities on each page. The pages contain all laws on the books through September 30, 2005. DEP Northeast Regional Office Has Moved - DEP's Northeast Regional Office has moved from Boston to Wilmington. The new address is 205B Lowell Street, Wilmington, MA 01887. Diversity of Marine Life in the Gulf of Maine Region Is Greater than Expected - The Gulf of Maine Program of the Census of Marine Life, with the Huntsman Maine Science Center of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, have announced that the first count of known marine species in the Gulf of Maine region is more than 50 percent larger than previous estimates. The count is 3,317 species and includes both year-round species and those that migrate to the region seasonally. The Canadian-U.S. project is part of the International Census of Marine Life. According to Evan Richert, project director for the Gulf of Maine Census, "The register serves as a baseline for understanding the biodiversity of this renowned and heavily exploited region of the Atlantic Ocean." Instructors and Students Sought for New Watershed Academy - The Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research (CSCR), a newly founded educational nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire students to become stewards of the region's marine environment, is seeking instructors and students for its new Watershed Academy. Academy dates and times are currently under development, but it is envisioned that classes will meet on Wednesday evenings at CSCR, 40 Parker Ave, Cohasset for a period of 10 weeks beginning March 1. For more information, e-mail Jack Buckley or call (781) 383-0129. Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Saugus River - The U.S. Coast Guard is temporarily changing the drawbridge operations for the General Edwards SR1A Bridge, at mile 1.7, across the Saugus River between Lynn and Revere. This temporary change allows the bridge to remain in the closed position from November 1 through April 30, 2006. This action is necessary to facilitate structural maintenance at the bridge. 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Boston, MA 02114