• Smart Growth Implementation Assistance - EPA's Office of Development, Community, and Environment Division is seeking applicants for the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) Program. Through this program, a team of multidisciplinary experts will provide free technical assistance to communities, regions, or states that want to develop in ways that meet environmental and other local or regional goals. For details, see the SGIA Website. Applications are due by March 8.
• WHOI Sea Grant Call for Pre-Proposals - Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute's (WHOI) Sea Grant Program is seeking pre-proposals for the 2008-2010 funding cycle. The theme areas are fisheries and aquaculture, environmental technologies, and estuarine and coastal processes—however, proposals representing other areas will be considered. For more information, see the WHOI Sea Grant website. Submissions are due by March 14.
• EPA BEACH Act Grants - EPA has announced the availability of $10 million in grants for beach water-quality monitoring and public notification programs. All 35 coastal and Great Lakes states and U.S. territories maintain monitoring programs using the EPA funding. Applications are due by April 11. For more information, see EPA's grant announcement.
• Priority Coastal Wetland Restoration Projects - CZM's Wetlands Restoration Program (WRP) has issued its annual call for Priority Coastal Wetland Restoration Projects. Each fiscal year, WRP designates a limited number of priority projects that are eligible to receive WRP-funded technical services. Designated priority projects are also eligible for funding under WRP's grants program to support monitoring and construction-related needs. For details, visit the Comm-PASS website and search for document number "ENV 07 CZM 03." The priority project nomination period is open until May 15. See the current list of WRP priority projects.

Contracting Opportunities/Request for Responses (RFR)
Pressure Washing Handbook for the Marina Industry - CZM is seeking applications from qualified contractors to develop a Pressure Washing Handbook for the marina and boatyard industry in Massachusetts. The manual will include an overview of the regulatory environment related to pressure washwater, options for handling and disposal, and guidance on selecting the most cost-effective and appropriate pressure washing technologies. One of the more complex issues faced by marina and boatyard operators is the management and disposal of pressure washwater generated during hull cleaning operations. To view the RFR, visit the Comm-PASS website and search for document number "ENV 07 CZM 09." Proposals are due by March 30.

Water Quality Tool Pack - CZM is seeking a qualified contractor to assist in the development of training resources related to the use of the CZM Digital Water Quality Tool Pack-a set of digital water quality tools to assist monitoring organizations in managing and analyzing water quality data collected in coastal watersheds. The selected contractor will conduct trainings with watershed groups, state and local government, and others involved in water quality monitoring efforts, and enter relevant data that has been or will be collected during the course of the contract. To view the RFR, visit the Comm-PASS website and search for document number "ENV 07 CZM 10." Proposals are due by March 30.

Products/Publications
Gulf of Maine Council Action Plan - On February 1, the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment released the 2007-2012 Action Plan. The Council, a U.S.-Canadian partnership of government and non-government organizations, works to maintain and enhance environmental quality in the Gulf of Maine to allow for sustainable resource use by existing and future generations. The 2007-2012 Action Plan contains three overarching, long-range goals: 1) coastal and marine habitats are in a healthy, productive, and resilient condition; 2) environmental conditions in the Gulf of Maine support ecosystem and human health; and 3) Gulf of Maine coastal communities are vibrant and have marine-dependent industries that are healthy and globally competitive. For more information, see the Gulf of Maine Council's website.

Herring River Brochure - The town of Wellfleet's Herring River Technical Committee has produced an informational brochure about the Herring River Estuary Restoration Project (PDF, 2.93 MB). The brochure was produced in collaboration with CZM, the Wellfleet Conservation Trust, and the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership. For hard copies, email Tim Smith at tim.smith@state.ma.us.

Massachusetts Bays Window - The Massachusetts Bays Program (MBP) launched the first edition of its quarterly eNewsletter—Massachusetts Bays Window—in February 2007. Every three months, the Massachusetts Bays Window will highlight the latest news for the MBP, its partners, and the Bays themselves. View the newsletter online, or send a blank email to join-env-massbayswindow@listserv.state.ma.us to receive future issues.

Gulf of Maine Times - The new issue of the Gulf of Maine Times is now available online. The Gulf of Maine Council's new five-year action plan is summarized in the paper. Other stories include innovative land-use planning, a tribute to former CZM Director, Susan Snow-Cotter, and an update on the Saint John Harbour cleanup.

Stellwagen Bank Ecological Report - NOAA has released a report, An Ecological Characterization of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Region, containing information about the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the Gulf of Maine region. The report summarizes the results of a three-year collaborative research project that examined extensive data on the abundance and distribution of key species both within and beyond the boundaries of the sanctuary.

Ocean Action Plan Progress Report - The Council on Environmental Quality has issued a U.S. Ocean Action Plan Implementation Update (PDF, 450 KB), which describes significant accomplishments related to the Ocean Action Plan of 2004. This plan was created to coordinate and guide federal ocean policy by enhancing ocean leadership and coordination, advancing understanding of oceans, coasts, and great lakes; enhancing the conservation and sustainable use of ocean, coastal and great lakes resources; managing coasts and their watersheds; supporting maritime transportation; and advancing international ocean science and policy. For more information, see the Council on Environmental Quality website.

Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy - The President's Ocean Action Plan called for the preparation an Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy, using a transparent process that included input from the ocean research community. This National Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy (PDF, 4 MB) presents research priorities that focus on the most compelling issues in key areas of interaction between society and the ocean. This document also provides guidance on how the various ocean science sectors (government, academia, industry, and non-government entities) can and should be engaged, individually or through partnerships, to address the areas of greatest research priority and opportunity. For more information, see priority plan web page.

EPA Stormwater Protection Guide for Construction - EPA has published the interim guidance document Developing Your Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan: A Guide for Construction Sites (PDF, 1.95 MB), which provides interim guidance to construction site operators that need National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit coverage for stormwater discharges. EPA expects to update this interim guidance in the future.

MS4 Evaluation Guide - Under the NPDES stormwater program, operators of large, medium, and regulated small municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s) require authorization to discharge pollutants under an NPDES permit. Medium and large MS4 operators are required to submit comprehensive permit applications and are issued individual permits. The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Program Evaluation Guidance is primarily for use by NPDES authorities to evaluate the quality of MS4 programs, but it can also be used by MS4 program managers to evaluate their own programs. On March 7, EPA will hold a free webcast to introduce this guide. See the webcast web page to register.

American Eels Booklet - The American eel presents challenges to conservation because its range spans political boundaries and habitats traditionally managed by different agencies. The 12-page booklet, American Eels: Restoring a Vanishing Resource in the Gulf of Maine (PDF, 2.93 MB), describes these challenges, and focuses on restoration in the Gulf of Maine region. Hard copies of the eel booklet will be available in spring 2007. To request hard copies, email Peter Taylor at peter@waterviewconsulting.com with "Request for eel booklet" as the subject line.

A New Guide for Scientists - Developed with funding from the National Science Foundation, this new booklet, Education and Public Outreach: A Guide for Scientists (PDF, 1.97 MB), provides basic information for scientists and researchers to better communicate the broader societal value of their work to the public.

Marine Protected Area (MPA) Newsletter - The February 2007 issue of MPA News is now available and includes the article Educating Stakeholders about MPAs.

Websites
Wetlands Restoration Program Update - WRP's March 2007 Update on Massachusetts Wetlands Restoration is now available online. This latest update provides details on the 50^th project that WRP and partners have helped restore, news on recent restoration grant awards, and updates on other restoration projects and planning activities.

NOAA Historical Maps - NOAA has a comprehensive digital library of historic coastal maps and navigation charts available at online. Dating back to the mid- to late-1800s, these maps show most of the Massachusetts coastline, harbors, and estuaries. The maps, based on field surveys, are an excellent resource for getting an accurate picture of the historic extent of salt marshes and other coastal habitats and features. See the NOAA Historical Map and Chart website.

Children's Summer Programs - Woods Hole Sea Grant has updated its list of marine or nature-based summer programs available for children that take place throughout the Cape Cod area. See the Woods Hole Sea Grant website.

America's Best New Development Projects - The Sierra Club's Building Better II: A Guide to America's Best New Development Projects presents 10 outstanding examples of new development that use innovative and environmentally sensitive methods of stormwater management.

Coastal Projects under CZM Review
Neptune LNG Project - The Neptune Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) deepwater port proposal is currently undergoing CZM's federal consistency review. Please submit comments to CZM by March 13 to:

Truman Henson, Project Review Coordinator
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA  02114

Cape Wind FEIR - Cape Wind Associates has submitted a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office for review and comment. Please submit comments to MEPA by March 22 to:

Secretary Ian A. Bowles
EOEA, Attn: MEPA Office
Anne Canaday, EOEA No. 12643
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 900
Boston, MA  02114

Siasconset Beach Nourishment - In January, the Secretary of Environmental Affairs issued a Certificate on the Final Environmental Impact Report (PDF, 705 KB) for the Siasconset Beach Nourishment proposal on Nantucket. The Secretary determined that no further MEPA review is required and that the project can go to the permitting phase. CZM staff played an important role in the review of the project and will conduct federal consistency review as well.

Public Comment
Draft Ocean Science Human Dimensions Plan - NOAA is seeking public comment on the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Draft Human Dimensions Strategic Plan (FY2008-FY2013) (PDF, 3.46 MB)—developed to define and implement human dimensions research critical to support an ecosystem approach to the management of coastal and ocean resources. The final plan will guide development of the NCCOS ecosystem science agenda. Please email comments to nccos.hd@noaa.gov by March 19.

Citizen's Guide to NEPA - The Council on Environmental Quality is seeking comments on A Citizen's Guide to the National Environmental Policy Act—Having your Voice Heard, a guide to help citizens and organizations who are concerned about the environmental effects of federal decision-making to effectively participate in federal agencies' environmental review process under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Download the guide from the NEPA website. Please email comments to horst_greczmiel@ceq.eop.gov by March 30.

Job Postings
Boston Harbor Regional Coordinator - CZM is seeking applicants for Boston Harbor Regional Coordinator to lead CZM activities in the Boston Harbor region (Winthrop to Weymouth). The coordinator will interpret and implement harbor planning policy for waterfront developments in the region, serving as CZM and EOEA lead for city of Boston municipal harbor planning initiatives and attending Boston Redevelopment Authority planning and coordination meetings. In addition, the coordinator will provide technical, regulatory, and/or planning assistance to communities in the region. Applications are due by March 15.

Calendar
Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Committee Meeting - On March 7, the Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Council will meet at 4:00 p.m. on Spectacle Island. A boat will depart Fan Pier at 3 p.m. returning at 6:30 p.m. Please sign up in advance by contacting Mary Raczko at Mary_Raczko@nps.gov.

Affordable Housing and Open Space Workshops - The MassDEP Wetlands Circuit Riders will hold four Affordable Housing and Open Space workshops in March. Protecting important conservation land and providing affordable housing are often among the most pressing priorities for communities in Massachusetts. These workshops will provide examples of how communities in Massachusetts have been successful in combining these two priorities. Techniques include Open Space Residential Development and the innovative use of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. MassDEP Wetlands Circuit Riders will be on hand for discussions about 40b developments and the Wetlands Protection Act. The workshops are scheduled for March 8 in Wilmington, March 15 in West Boylston, March 22 in Westwood, and March 29 in Lakeville. For more information, contact MassDEP Circuit Rider Kathy Robertson at kathy.robertson@state.ma.us.

Climate Change Lecture - On March 10 at 2:00 p.m., the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host The Vanishing Cape: A Lecture on Climate Change by Keith Bergman. Mr. Bergman, Provincetown Town Manager, was one of 50 participants (and one of the first on the Cape) in Climate Project, the global climate change training program of former Vice President Al Gore. This movement seeks to educate Americans about the consequences of global warming and what actions can be taken to lessen this worldwide crisis. For details, contact the museum at (508) 896-3867, x129.

Herring Count Training - On March 12 at 9:30 a.m., the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host the workshop Volunteer Counts of River Herring: Building Stewardship and Promoting Restoration Through Citizen Science to train volunteers and interested citizens on how to obtain good counts of river herring. Accurate herring counts are needed to help fisheries managers understand the reasons for the drastic decline in herring in recent years, and help restore and protect the herring fishery in herring runs across Cape Cod.

Renewable Energy and Green Building Conference - On March 13-15, the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association is presenting Building Energy 2007: Building for a Changing Climate. This conference and trade show for renewable energy and green building professionals is being held at the Seaport World Trade Center in South Boston. On March 13, the conference will feature a free renewable energy forum with environmental author Bill McKibben. Land conservation and renewable energy advocates will discuss how to achieve ecological and energy security in the Northeast.

Shellfish Farming Discussion - On March 13, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host Working the Low Tide: An Introduction to Shellfish Farming on Cape Cod—a talk by Dr. William H. Walton about shellfish farming and the management of this industry. Bill Walton is the fisheries and aquaculture extension agent for Barnstable County's Cape Cod Cooperative Extension and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant.

Green Communities Speaker Series - Join the South Coastal Watershed Network for a speaker series that brings new ideas and information to conservationists, municipal officials, government agencies, and developers. On March 13, staff from the Massachusetts Riverways Program will discuss River Habitat and Fish Passage Restoration. On April 17, CZM staff will discuss Coastal Hazards. All lectures are held from 10:00 a.m.-noon at the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell. To reserve a seat, contact Sara Grady at sara@nsrwa.org.

Cape Cod Natural History Conference - On March 17, the 12^th Annual Cape Cod Natural History Conference will be held at Cape Cod Community College. Sponsored by Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, the conference will feature presentations by individuals from environmental organizations, agencies, and colleges across Cape Cod and Massachusetts. For details, visit the Wellfleet Bay website.

High School Student Marine Science Symposium - On March 21, Massachusetts Marine Educators will present the 24^th Annual High School Student Marine Science Symposium from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. To register, contact Robert Rocha at rrocha@whalingmuseum.org. There is a $10 cost per student.

Field Guide Training - On March 22, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will begin its 2007 Field Guide Training Program for naturalists. This seven-session course will be held each Thursday at the museum from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. through May 3. Being a field guide is a great opportunity to learn about and share a love for nature. For more information, email Bobbie Williams at bjwill@gis.net.

Mass Audubon Birder's Meeting - On March 24, Mass Audubon, in conjunction with the Wilson Ornithological Society's annual meeting, is holding its 15^th Annual Birder's Meeting in Wakefield. For more information, see the Mass Audubon website.

Marina and Boatyard Workshops - On March 28 and 29, CZM and the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association (MMTA) will hold two free workshops for the marina and boatyard industry. The workshops—Regulatory Compliance for the Marina Industry: Meeting the Challenges of Pressure Washing, Stormwater, and Hazardous Materials Management—will outline the legal responsibilities of boating facility operators in these areas, and provide examples and approaches to addressing these important environmental issues. The March 28 workshop is at the Danversport Yacht Club in Danvers, and the March 29 event is at White's of Westport in Westport. While these events target marina and boatyard owners and operators, a limited number of spaces are available for local officials and others interested in this issue.

Dredging Regulations Workshops - In April, the MassDEP Wetlands Circuit Riders will hold four workshops that will provide an overview of the §401 Water Quality Certification for dredging projects and recent revisions to the dredge regulations. These workshops are primarily targeted toward conservation commission members and staff. The workshops are scheduled for April 3 in Scituate, April 12 in Newburyport, April 19 in Barnstable, and April 23 in Easthampton. For more information, contact MassDEP Circuit Rider Alice Smith at alice.smith@state.ma.us.

Cape Cod Archaeology Course - Beginning April 3, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will offer the six-week course Just Beneath Our Feet: The Archaeology of Cape Cod. Come explore the prehistory and early history of Cape Cod in an informal format. For details, contact the museum at (508) 896-3867, x133.

Water Resources Research Conference - On April 9, the University of Massachusetts Amherst will host the Fourth Annual Water Resources Research Conference-Sustainable Waters in a Changing World: Research to Practice. The conference will feature a distinguished and diverse group of scholars and practitioners from academia, government, and nonprofits, and will attract scientists from the New England region and beyond.

Mapping Workshops - On April 12 and 13, two workshops—Mapping Massachusetts Communities Workshop: An Introduction to GIS and Community Analysis—will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Charles River Public Internet Center in Waltham.

Grant Proposal Writing Workshop - On April 18-20, a professional grant proposal writing workshop will be held at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. The course is designed for beginners seeking a thorough introduction, and those looking for a refresher course to strengthen grant acquisition skills. For details, see the Grant Institute website.

Massachusetts Beaches Workshop - On May 4, the WHOI Sea Grant Program will hold the workshop The Future of Massachusetts Beaches: Relocate, Nourish, or Lose Them. Massachusetts beaches are a major attraction, yet they are disappearing primarily due to human activity. This workshop targets managers, planners, government officials at all levels, legislators, consultants, and homeowner associations. Specialists and resource agencies will present the technical aspects of beach nourishment design principles, possible sediment sources, and environmental issues relating to nourishment on both a large and small scale. Case histories of selected nourishment projects in Massachusetts, including those involving public/private partnerships, will be highlighted. Also, speakers from other states will discuss projects and funding mechanisms for nourishment in their states. The workshop will conclude with all participants joining in an informal, open discussion. Stay tuned to WHOI Sea Grant's website for updates.

Transfer of Development Rights Workshops - On May 16 from 8:30 a.m.-noon, CZM, in partnership with EOEA and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission, will conduct a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) Workshop at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill. TDR is a regulatory strategy that harnesses private market forces to permanently protected open space by "transferring" development from areas that a community wishes to protect to other areas more suitable for development. This workshop will introduce TDR concepts, discuss case studies, present new bylaw models, and identify technical assistance and funding resources. On May 22 from 5-9 p.m., CZM, in partnership with EOEA and Essex County Forum, will conduct a second TDR Workshop at the North Shore Community College in Danvers. Stay tuned to CZM's Calendar page for more details on both workshops.

NPS Conference - On May 21-23, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) will hold the 18^th Annual Nonpoint Source (NPS) Pollution Conference in Newport, Rhode Island. NEIWPCC, in partnership with member states, coordinates this annual conference on local, state, and federal NPS issues and projects. The Newport agenda will focus on the innovative solutions to the challenges facing the region's watersheds. For more information, see the NEIWPCC website.

Marine Educators Conference - On July 23-27, the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) will hold the 2007 National Marine Educators Conference in Portland, Maine. Educators, researchers, explorers, writers, artists, conservation managers, and anyone with a passion for the world of water is invited attend.

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

• Coastal GeoTools Conference - Coastal GeoTools 2007, to be held on March 6-8 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, will highlight the integration of geospatial tools and methodologies with coastal resource management.
• Great Marsh Symposium - On March 10 from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., join Mass Audubon and the Great Marsh Coalition at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters in Newburyport for the Great Marsh Symposium: Discover a Coastal Treasure in Our Backyard, with short presentations on sea-level rise, bird banding on Plum Island, and poets and painters of the Marsh, and other topics. Pre-registration is required. For details, go to the Great Marsh Coalition website.
• LID Conference - The Second Annual National Low Impact Development Conference will be held on March 12-14 in Wilmington, North Carolina. This workshop will highlight new and continuing research, developments, and community adoption of LID throughout the United States, with a special emphasis on coastal applications of LID.
• Coastal Summit - On March 21-23, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association will hold a Coastal Summit in Washington, DC, focusing on: critical issues affecting beach preservation and management, media relations and lobbying skills, federal budgeting and appropriations, and networking opportunities with members of Congress and federal officials.
• Land Conservation Conference - On March 24, the Putnam Conservation Institute and the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition will hold the 17^th Massachusetts Land Conservation Conference in Worcester.
• Urban Rivers Conference - On March 29, EPA New England and the Urban Harbors Institute will host the 1^st New England Urban Rivers Conference—The Promise and the Challenge of Urban Rivers at Boston's Federal Reserve Bank. Featured topics include contaminated sediments, stormwater, public access, urban land conservation, environmental justice, urban hydrology, riverfront design, and Urban Low Impact Development practices.
• New Urbanism Conference - On March 30 in Lowell, the New England Chapter of the Congress for the New Urbanism will hold the second annual conference Developing the New Urbanism II: The New England Perspective. New Urbanism is the concept that development can provide a high quality of life for all residents, while protecting the natural environment.
• Conference on Coastal Environmental Sensing Networks - On April 12-13, the University of Massachusetts Boston Center for Coastal Environmental Sensing Networks (CESN) will hold this two-day conference on extracting, processing, and using information gathered from the coastal environment using sensor networks.
• LID Conference for Development Industry - On April 5 from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m., the Low Impact Development Conference and Vendor Fair for the Real Estate Development Industry will be held at the Sheraton Framingham. Topics include: LID concepts and benefits, site design, stormwater management, model bylaws, Phase II requirements, green building guidelines and Energy Star/LEED, cost of conventional development vs. LID, and LID project case studies.
• Green Roofs Conference - On April 29-May 1, the Fifth Annual International Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities, Conference, Awards, and Trade Show will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The conference will focus on green roof policies and programs, design and implementation, and performance.
• National Water Access Forum - On May 9-11, the Virginia Sea Grant Program is holding Working Waterways & Waterfronts-A National Symposium on Water Access, to explore solutions to water access losses that hinder boating, commercial fishing, and water-dependent businesses around the nation's coasts.
• Marine Bioinvasions Conference - On May 21-24, the MIT Sea Grant Program will host the Fifth International Marine Bioinvasions Conference in Cambridge. This gathering will examine marine bioinvasion vectors, patterns, distribution, ecological and evolutionary consequences, economic impacts, biosecurity approaches, and natural and invasion impacts on biodiversity.
• Forum on Coastal Socioeconomic Research - On May 20-23 in New Orleans, the Center for Natural Resource Economics and Policy (CNREP) will hold CNREP 2007: Challenges of Natural Resource Economics & Policy, the Second National Forum on Socioeconomic Research in Coastal Systems.
• Coastal Zone '07 - On July 22-26, the 15^th biennial Coastal Zone conference will be held in Portland, Oregon. Coastal Zone is the largest international gathering of ocean and coastal management professionals in the world, representing federal, state, and local governments, academia, nonprofit organizations, and private industry.
• Massachusetts Coastal Training Program - The program maintains a calendar of workshops and other training events for coastal decision makers and others interested in managing the coastal zone.