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CZ-Mail August 2007 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. Additional information about CZM's programs, publications, and other coastal topics can be found on the CZM website. If you have suggestions for CZ-Mail, 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.
Laurie Burt Named MassDEP Commissioner Ian Bowles, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) has appointed Laurie Burt as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). Ms. Burt founded the environmental law practice at the Boston firm of Foley Hoag LLP. "Laurie's distinguished career has given her a broad set of experience and wide exposure to how other states and nations approach environmental regulation. No one is better equipped to lead DEP into a new era as we grapple with global climate change and other vital environmental challenges for the 21st century," said Secretary Bowles. Burt starts as Commissioner on September 4. See the EOEEA press release about the new Commissioner (PDF, 48 KB) for additional details. Sea Glass Mural Dedicated to Susan Snow-Cotter Thanks to the committed efforts of Carol Smith-Sloan and Holly Rader of All Cracked Up custom art in Hingham, and support from CZM and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) staff, a sea glass mural has been installed at the Spectacle Island Visitors' Center in honor of Susan Snow-Cotter, former CZM Director who died of Inflammatory Breast Cancer in December 2006. Before her death, Susan had been helping the All Cracked Up team get the appropriate DCR permissions to donate the piece, which now graces the wall as you enter the Visitors' Center. The large, swirling wave is made of sea glass and bits of broken pottery that were collected from Spectacle Island. A plaque dedicating the mural to Susan, "a true leader in coastal management," will remind all who see it of her personal and professional commitment to coastal and ocean issues. For more, see the Boston Globe piece, "Catching the Wave." Thanks to everyone who made the mural a reality! Survey of Invasive Species In July, the Massachusetts Bays Program and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sea Grant Program coordinated a "rapid assessment survey" in coastal waters stretching from Woods Hole through mid-coast Maine. A team of experts searched for "invasive species"—plants or animals not normally found in New England coastal waters whose introduction to the ecosystem can harm the environment, economy, and public health. The team collected, identified, and catalogued the plants and animals found on permanently floating docks and piers. The goals of this study are to develop a baseline inventory of species in the coastal waters, identify plants and animals that have been recently introduced into the ecosystem, and assist managers in preventing and controlling future invasions. Previous surveys conducted in 2000 and 2003 in New England coastal waters revealed 34 introduced organisms, several of which were identified for the first time in this region during these surveys. See the EOEEA press release about this effort (PDF, 48 KB). Seafloor Mapping Cruise The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with CZM, is working to map the seafloor of western Cape Cod Bay. From July 23 to August 8, the research vessel Meghan Miller will traverse the waters of the South Shore and Cape Cod Bay to collect high-resolution data on seafloor topography and geology. A second cruise intended to ground truth the data is planned for September 5-14. These cruises are part of the CZM-USGS seafloor mapping program. For more information, contact Seth Ackerman at seth.ackerman@state.ma.us. Buzzards Bay Watershed Municipal Mini-Grants Awarded CZM's Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) has awarded more than $98,000 in grants to assist four South Coastal and Cape Cod towns in protecting and restoring Buzzards Bay. The grants will help these communities test, map, and treat stormwater discharges; protect and restore wetlands and habitat, and safeguard open space. The following grants were awarded:
Thompson Island Wetland Restoration Project Completed On July 23, CZM's Wetlands Restoration Program (WRP), Thompson Island Outward Bound, and numerous partners completed a project to restore tidal flushing to six acres of degraded inter-tidal wetlands on Thompson Island in Boston Harbor. Debris and rubble that obstructed tidal flow to the harbor were removed and the channel was dredged to the natural bottom depth. The degraded conditions caused by the channel obstruction included an expanding common reed (Phragmites australis) infestation, poor water quality, and seasonal algal blooms. The restoration will improve marsh drainage and allow seawater to flood the system during most high tides, which will increase growth of native salt marsh vegetation, enhance fish passage into the marsh, enhance important nursery and feeding habitat, reduce the coverage of common reed, and improve water quality. See the restoration project website for details. CZM Staff & People Boston Harbor Regional Coordinator - In July, CZM welcomed Brad Washburn as the new coordinator for the Boston Harbor Region, filling an important position vacant for some time. Brad comes to CZM from the Boston Redevelopment Authority where he assisted with the city-wide municipal harbor planning process and reviewed various waterfront planning projects. He also holds a Masters of Regional Planning from UMass Amherst. With his experience and insight, Brad will be able to hit the ground running on municipal harbor planning and Chapter 91 waterways issues. Welcome aboard Brad! AIS Program Coordinator - CZM welcomes Adreinne Pappal as the new Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Coordinator. As AIS Coordinator Adrienne will be responsible for managing the marine invasive species monitoring network, continuing the development of rapid response protocols for newly introduced aquatic invasive species, and implementing the Massachusetts Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan. Adrienne joins us from MassDEP, where she worked on water quality monitoring and quality assurance issues. She holds undergraduate and advanced degrees in marine science. Welcome Adrienne! Grants/Funding Opportunities Coastal Land Conservation RFR Expected to Be Released Soon - CZM expects to release a Request for Responses (RFR) later this summer for applications for funding under the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) program. Applications will be reviewed and ranked for nomination to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) national ranking process for Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 CELCP funding. Because response time to CELCP RFRs is often limited by the timing of NOAA's notice of funding availability, Massachusetts coastal communities and other potential applicants are advised to begin investigation and development of potential project applications before the RFR is released. The FY 2009 RFR will likely be very similar to the FY 2008 RFR. Wetlands Restoration Technical Assistance - CZM's Wetlands Restoration Program is seeking responses from vendors who wish to be pre-qualified under master agreements to provide wetland restoration technical services for fiscal years 2008-2010. To view the Request for Qualifications/Responses, see the Comm-PASS website and search for document number "ENV 08 CZM 01." Responses are due by August 31. CICEET FY 2008 Funding Opportunities - The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) is seeking proposals for two FY 2008 funding opportunities. The Mitigating Shoreline Erosion Along Sheltered Coasts Funding Opportunity seeks to provide a better understanding of how to use different erosion prevention measures to protect sheltered coastlines from the impacts of rising sea levels and waves generated by extreme weather, as well as to protect, preserve, and restore ecosystem function. Proposals are due by October 4. The Environmental Technology Development and Demonstration Funding Opportunity has two goals: develop and/or demonstrate technology to detect and quantify the impacts of human activity on coastal water quality, species, and habitats; and develop and/or demonstrate technology to protect coastal water quality and/or restore coastal habitats. Proposals are due by September 26. NOAA Funding Opportunities - The NOAA Restoration Center's Community-Based Restoration Program provides funds for individual grassroots marine habitat restoration projects that will benefit living marine resources, including anadromous fish species, commercial and recreational resources, and endangered and threatened species. Applications are due by September 27. The Center's Marine Debris Program provides funds for the implementation of locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention and removal projects that will benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and NOAA trust resources, including anadromous fish. Applications are due by October 31. Ocean Awareness Funding - The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF) is seeking proposals for the Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust Fund—established in 2005 as a legacy to the longstanding commitment of U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings to promote public involvement and understanding of the benefits of the oceans to current and future generations. NMSF seeks innovative proposals to engage the public in compelling ocean stewardship issues and highlight areas where both humans and the marine environment can benefit from effective and focused actions. For details, see the NMSF website. Proposals are due by August 17. Reminders - These funding opportunities listed in the last CZ-Mail are still available:
Recreational Water Quality Criteria Report - In March 2007, 44 U.S. and international water quality experts held a workshop and discussed critical research and science needs for developing new or revised recreational ambient water quality criteria in the near-term. The Report of the Experts Scientific Workshop on Critical Research Needs for the Development of New or Revised Recreational Water Quality Criteria summarizes the experts' conclusions and provides new information to help build a stronger scientific foundation for up-to-date recreational water quality criteria. Better Site Design Handbook - The Center for Watershed Protection (CWP) has made its popular site design handbook available for free download from the CWP website. Better Site Design: A Handbook for Changing Development Rules in Your Community outlines 22 guidelines for more environmentally friendly development and provides detailed rationale for each principle—from basic engineering principles to actual vs. perceived barriers to implementation. The handbook also includes case studies from across the country. Northeast Climate Impact Report - In July, the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment (NECIA) released a report entitled Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Northeast: Science, Impacts, and Solutions. NECIA is a collaborative effort between the Union of Concerned Scientists and a team of independent experts using state-of-the-art tools to assess how global warming will affect the northeastern United States. Also available are fact sheets for each state. See the Massachusetts Fact Sheet (PDF, 540 KB). MassDEP Environmental eNewsletter - The Summer 2007 issue of EnviroMatters, MassDEP's Environmental eNewsletter, features pieces on the oil spill response equipment provided to all Cape Cod communities, MassDEP's Safe Neighborhoods Chemical Initiative, and other recent MassDEP efforts, achievements, news, and updates. Coastal Processes DVD - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's (WHOI) Sea Grant Program and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension have released the DVD, Coastal Landforms, Coastal Processes and Erosion Control on Cape Cod & Southern Plymouth, Massachusetts, which features visits to 11 sites including beaches, dunes, barrier beaches, coastal banks, and salt marshes. Experts discuss the interactive coastal processes that created and allow for the continued existence of these important resources and examine a variety of coastal erosion control alternatives. In addition, the DVD presents regulatory issues associated with living along the shore and in coastal floodplains of the Commonwealth. To get a free copy, contact WHOI's Sheri DeRosa at sderosa@whoi.edu. LID Conference Proceedings - The Final Proceedings for the 2nd National Low Impact Development Conference held in March 2007 are now available online. Coastal Services Magazine - The July/August 2007 issue of the Coastal Services Magazine, a publication of the NOAA's Coastal Services Center, is now available online. This issue features stories about ballast water issues in Michigan, coastal hazards in Maryland, and removing sunken vessels in Georgia. Harmful Algal Bloom Documents - NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science has released the report Harmful Algal Research and Response: A Human Dimensions Strategy, which summarizes research needs to support harmful algal bloom mitigation and serves a companion piece to previously released, Harmful Algal Research and Response: A National Environmental Science Strategy 2005-2015. Coastal Management Newsletter - The July edition of NOAA's Coastal Programs Division's National Coastal Management Program News features a special section on climate change and includes stories about Rhode Island's new submerged aquatic vegetation regulations and stormwater training along Lake Superior. Reminders - These CZM publications, listed in the last CZ-Mail, are still available:
Seafloor Mapping for Kids - Kids can now learn about mapping the seafloor and why it is important. NOAA's Ocean Service Communications and Education Division, in cooperation with NOAA's Office of Coast Survey, recently launched an interactive seafloor mapping website designed for students in grades 3-5. Public Comment Desalination Policy - EOEEA is seeking comments on the Desalination Policy and the Desalination Siting and Monitoring Protocols. The draft policy and the draft protocols are new documents that were developed in response to the recent development of desalination as a potential source of drinking water in Massachusetts. The documents provide guidance on when desalinized water may be appropriate in the Commonwealth and also provide predictability of the permitting process. For details, see EOEEA's Water Resources web page. Submit comments by August 10 to: Kathleen Baskin, Director of Water Policy, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114. Reminders - The following comment opportunities listed in the last CZ-Mail are still open:
Gulfwatch Monitoring Assistant - The Gulf of Maine Council is seeking applicants to provide technical, administrative, and logistical support to the Gulfwatch Program through June 30, 2008. See the Gulfwatch Monitoring Assistant announcement. Applications are due by August 15. Calendar Marine Wildlife Lecture Series - On Wednesdays in August, join Nantucket Soundkeeper and the Whale & Dolphin Conservation Society for a free lecture series, A Sea of Change: Survival of Marine Wildlife in Today's Oceans—Impacts, Implications and Improvements. Lectures are held at 7:00 p.m. at the Harwich Community Center. For more information, see the Nantucket Soundkeeper website. Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary Lectures - On Wednesday evenings in August, the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary will host lectures on the marine environment. All talks start at 7:30 p.m. Cost per talk is $5 for Mass Audubon members and $7 for nonmembers. For more information, call (508) 349-2615. Coastal Issues Lecture Series - On August 9, Scusset Beach State Reservation will host a free evening lecture about shoreline geology presented by the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR). For more information, contact Joan Muller at joan.muller@state.ma.us. Waquoit Bay Annual Watershed Block Party - On August 7 from 3-7 p.m., join the folks at WBNERR for their annual Watershed Block Party—an event to raise awareness about estuaries and watersheds. For more information, contact WBNERR's Laurie Tompkins at Laurie.Tompkins@state.ma.us. Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Forum - On August 8-9 the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission and USGS will hold the 2007 Northeast Water Science Forum—Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products: State of the Science in Portland, Maine. For details, see the forum website. Rachel Carson Lecture - On August 10 at 7:30 p.m., the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host Dr. Mark Madison, national historian for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, who will speak on "Rachel Carson's Fight for Conservation and the Origins of the Environmental Movement." For more information about this free program, contact the museum at (508) 896-3867 x129. Wind Farm Discussion - On August 15 at 7:30 p.m., the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host The Wind Farm: A Discussion. Featured speakers will be Jim Gordon, President of Cape Wind, and Charles Vinick, CEO of the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound. The moderator will be Allen Larson, President of the Cape Cod Center for Sustainability. For more information, contact the museum at (508) 896-3867 x129. CZM Water Quality Data Storage and Analysis Workshops - CZM, in conjunction with Geosyntec Consultants, will be holding two morning workshops (9 a.m.-noon) on the use of the new Water Quality Tool Pack. CZM has developed this set of digital resources to aid water quality monitoring organizations in storing, querying, and analyzing water quality data collected in Massachusetts watersheds. The Water Quality Tool Pack includes utilities to easily enter data (including metadata and quality assurance information), conduct statistical analyses, generate maps, and access data collected by others working in the watershed of interest. The August 20 workshop is at Ipswich Town Hall, and the September 6 workshop is at the Manomet Center in Plymouth. For more information, see the workshop flyer. To register for either workshop, email Bryan Heald at bheald@geosyntec.com or call (978) 263-9588 x772. New England Environmental Education Alliance Conference - On September 14-16, the 2007 New England Environmental Education Alliance Conference—Building Bridges-Creating Change for a Common Good, will be held in Smithfield, Maine. Conflict Management Course - On September 17-21, the Massachusetts Coastal Training Program will offer Navigating in Rough Seas: Public Issues and Conflict Management, a 2 ½ day course developed and presented by NOAA's Coastal Services Center. The course is designed for coastal managers, municipal officials, and leaders who facilitate meetings and public dialogue concerning coastal issues, and often deal with the media. The course, which will be offered on the North Shore and Cape Cod, will focus on how to successfully navigate public planning processes using meeting management, negotiation, communication, and conflict resolution approaches. For more information, contact Tonna-Marie Rogers at tonna-marie.surgeon-rogers@state.ma.us. Global Greenship Conference - On September 20-21, the Global Greenship 2007 Conference will be held in Washington, D.C. This annual maritime industry conference and expo focuses on cost-effective solutions for meeting national and international marine environmental protection and pollution prevention regulations. Biodiversity Conference - The Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative will hold the second bi-annual Biodiversity Conference on September 22 in Nantucket. For more information, contact Ernie Steinauer at esteinauer@massaudubon.org or Emily Molden at emily@nantucketlandcouncil.org. Stormwater Training - On October 9-11 in Toledo, Ohio, the Center for Watershed Protection will hold the 2007 Stormwater Institute—an intensive training program for stormwater professionals from local governments, nonprofits, and the private sector. Coastal Engineering Manual in Practice - On October 11-12, the Boston Society of Civil Engineers Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Sea Grant will hold the conference—Coastal Engineering Manual in Practice. The goal of the conference is to provide a forum to present and discuss practical applications and lessons learned regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Coastal Engineering Manual. For details, contact Jim O'Connell at joconnell@whoi.edu. Greening Rooftops Conference—Call for Papers - The 2008 Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards & Trade Show will be held from April 30-May 2, 2008, in Baltimore, Maryland. The Conference will raise awareness of the many benefits of green roofs, share new research findings; provide information on the latest designs; implementation techniques, and products; and broaden networks while working toward building more sustainable cities through green roof implementation. Abstract submissions are due by September 30. Trails and Sails 2007 - On September 28-30, the Essex National Heritage Area will host the Sixth Annual Trails & Sails—A Weekend of Walks and Water. Thousands of people and a few dozen dogs will turn out to take advantage of the fantastic array of free events throughout the Essex National Heritage Area. From sailing to rowing, hiking to walking, whale watching to marshmallow roasting, Trails & Sails 2007 offers something for just about everyone to celebrate the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the region. Reminders - The following calendar items, posted in the last CZ-Mail, are still to come:
COASTSWEEP 2007 - COASTSWEEP, the state-wide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM and the Urban Harbors Institute of UMass Boston, will kickoff its 20th year on September 15 at Carson Beach in South Boston. Volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each year for this event, which is part of an international campaign organized by The Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Participants all over the world collect marine debris and record the types of trash they find. This information is then used to help reduce future marine debris problems. Cleanups are scheduled all along the Commonwealth coast in September and October. For details or to get involved with a cleanup near you, see the COASTSWEEP website. Free Audio Tour of Boston Harborwalk - August is a great time to explore Boston's legendary waterfront, and now you can download a free MP3 hour-long audio tour, compliments of the City of Boston. Starting at the Christopher Columbus Statue (across from Quincy Market and at the edge of the North End) and ending at the Moakely Courthouse, the audio tour will guide you along the Harborwalk to new and exciting places. You can meet the seals at the New England Aquarium, play on a jungle gym with a view of the harbor, and learn all about the tragedy of New England's Titanic. So take an hour and explore this 1.2 miles of history, sparkling views, and fun—all open to the public. The Impact of Hurricanes on Inland Locations - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has created a web page to remind residents of the Commonwealth that hurricanes can have significant impacts on inland locations. Check it out on the MEMA website. Know a Water Efficiency Leader? - EPA is accepting nominations for the 2007 Water Efficiency Leader (WEL) Awards to recognize organizations and individuals that demonstrate leadership and innovation in water-efficient products and practices. Winners will be chosen by a panel of national water experts based on leadership, innovation, and water saved. For more information, see the WEL Awards web page. Nominations are due by August 17. Stormwater Needs Survey - This year, EPA will begin working with stormwater Phase I and II communities and state permitting authorities to better document needs for stormwater infrastructure in the next 20 years. The Clean Watersheds Needs Survey (CWNS) is a report to Congress (issued every four years) on the capital needs for wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint sources. While stormwater has been a listed category in the CWNS for some time, reporting of these needs by Phase I and II communities has been very limited. To increase community participation, EPA will hold a series of webcasts on the CWNS process. For more information, visit 2008 CWNS web page. Stellwagen Bank Advisory Council - The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for 30 vacant public seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council. Applicants will be chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying. Council members serve terms of two or three years. For more information, contact nathalie.ward@noaa.gov. Applications are due by August 15. Coast Guard Seeks Applicants for Navigation Safety Advisory Council - The U.S. Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC), which provides advice and makes recommendations on a wide range of recreational boating safety issues. Download the application, which is due by September 1. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Boston, MA 02114