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CZ-Mail February 2009 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.
Ocean Planning Process Continues In January, the Ocean Science Advisory Council concluded its review of the first draft of the baseline assessment and the agency workgroup reports. This milestone set the stage for the Council's upcoming work on assisting the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) in developing the science and research plan, a key component of the ocean management plan that will provide a strategy for addressing scientific questions and data needs to help inform ocean management in the years to come. The Ocean Advisory Commission also met in January and provided input on the conceptual plan framework and associated goals and objectives for the ocean management plan. To enable stakeholders to review technical materials prepared to date as part of the ocean management plan development process, EEA has scheduled two public meetings on February 7 in Sandwich at the Daniel Webster Inn from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and February 10 in Boston at the Fish Pier from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EEA will incorporate the input from these meetings into draft plan development. Both meetings have identical agendas and have been planned at locations that will provide opportunity for broad participation. Please register online. For more on the ocean planning process, see EEA's Massachusetts Ocean Plan website. To receive periodic ocean plan updates, send an email to join-env-oceanplan@listserv.state.ma.us. Governor Signs NDA Enforcement Legislation On January 13, Governor Deval Patrick signed into law H 4805, legislation that gives the director of the Massachusetts Environmental Police, and all that serve under him, the ability to issue an administrative penalty of up to $2,000 per infraction for violations of No Discharge Area (NDA) regulations. This enforcement authority applies to environmental police officers, harbormasters, fish and game wardens, and police officers assigned to patrol the waters of the Commonwealth. Specifically, the law states that no person shall discharge any sewage, whether treated or not, from a marine sanitation device into any waters of the Commonwealth designated by the Secretary of Environmental Affairs as an NDA. Roughly 70 percent of the Commonwealth's waters have been designated as no discharge. For more information, see CZM's NDA web site, the map of the NDAs in Massachusetts, and the complete text of the new law. StormSmart Coasts Begins Implementation Phase CZM continues the implementation of StormSmart Coasts with five selected projects—Boston, Falmouth, Hull, Oak Bluffs, and the three-town team of Duxbury, Kingston, and Plymouth. In January, the program held the first Coastal Advisory Group Meeting, bringing together more than 30 officials from the selected communities. In the meeting, CZM and the communities discussed the work ahead and clearly identified the primary goals of the projects. Expected project outcomes include a model pre-disaster hazard mitigation plan that incorporates sea level rise and anticipated intensity and frequency of storms due to climate change; outreach materials that target key audiences including homeowners; development review guidance; and model improvements to floodplain bylaws. Federal and state agencies, regional planning agencies, and other technical experts will be project partners. CZM Staff & People Mass Bays Welcomes New Intern - The Massachusetts Bays Program is delighted to welcome Josh Daskin as its new intern. Josh will be at Mass Bays through April to assist with the upcoming State of the Bays report and develop outreach materials on climate change adaptation. A regular on the Dean's List at Brandeis University, Josh is a senior in the biology and environmental studies program and aspires to pursue graduate studies in either ecology or conservation biology. His experience includes a summer 2008 research grant at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Alabama, environmental education, and science writing. Welcome aboard Josh! Grants/Funding Opportunities Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation RFR Expected to Be Released Soon - CZM expects to release a Request for Responses (RFR) soon seeking applications for funding under the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP). CELCP provides state and local governments with matching funds to purchase significant coastal and estuarine lands, or conservation easements on such lands, that are considered important for their ecological, conservation, recreational, historical, or aesthetic values. Applications will be reviewed and ranked for nomination to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for evaluation and potential Federal Fiscal Year 2010 CELCP funding. For details, stay tuned to CZM's Jobs & Grants web page. Inundation Visualization Contract Opportunity - In February, CZM expects to release an RFR seeking proposals to develop 3D models that visualize inundation scenarios due to flood events and sea-level rise. The project must be completed by June 30. Stay tuned to CZM's Job & Grants web page for the latest information about this RFR. WHOI Sea Grant Funding - The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's (WHOI) Sea Grant Program is seeking pre-proposals for its 2010-2012 funding cycle. The theme areas for this cycle are fisheries and aquaculture, environmental technologies, and estuarine and coastal processes. Those interested are encouraged to attend the WHOI Sea Grant open meeting on February 11 at 2:00 p.m. in Redfield Auditorium. For details, see the WHOI Sea Grant website. Pre-proposals are due by March 2. EPA CARE Grants - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking proposals for the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program. Up to $3 million is available in 2009 to support community-based partnerships to reduce toxic pollution at the local level. Eligible applicants include county and local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and universities. For additional information, see the CARE website. Proposals are due by March 16. Reminder - This opportunity listed in the last CZ-Mail is still available:
StormSmart Fact Sheets - In January, CZM's StormSmart Coasts program released a two new fact sheets. The first, Case Study: Massachusetts Communities Reduce Storm Risk in Developed Areas (PDF1.3 MB), explains how two Massachusetts communities are using federal funds to make existing homes safer. The second, Landscaping to Protect Your Coastal Property from Storm Damage and Flooding (PDF, 956 KB), details landscaping approaches that can help counter the forces of wind, waves, and runoff and protect property against erosion caused by storms and flooding. Pressure Washing Guidance - In December, CZM released A Guide to Selecting Pressure Washing Management Practices and Technologies: Supplement to the Massachusetts Clean Marina Guide (PDF, 1.4 MB) to provide guidance to marinas and boatyards about the proper handling and disposal of wastewater and solids generated when boat hulls are cleaned. The guide includes a review of relevant regulations, pressure washwater disposal options, and equipment that can be used to minimize impacts from pressure washing practices. In January 2009, a copy of the guide will be mailed to all Massachusetts marinas, boatyards, and yacht clubs. For more marina and pressure washing information, see CZM's Marinas in Massachusetts website. For a copy, email your request and mailing address to czm@state.ma.us. 2009 Boaters' Guide to Tides and Pumpout Facilities - Each year, CZM and the Division of Marine Fisheries produce the Boaters' Guide to Tides and Pumpout Facilities. The wallet-sized pamphlet, printed on waterproof paper, contains information on the locations of pumpout facilities along the Massachusetts coastline and a June-September tide chart. The 2009 guide is now available. For a free copy, email your request and mailing address to czm@state.ma.us. Marine Invasive Species Monitoring Guide - In December, CZM's Aquatic Invasive Species Program released a new resource for groups that monitor marine invasive species. Developed as the primary guidance document for the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC), Monitoring Marine Invasive Species: Guidance and Protocols for Volunteer Monitoring Groups (PDF, 2.3 MB) includes information on site selection, monitoring protocols, safety, and identification resources. For more information, contact Adrienne Pappal at adrienne.pappal@state.ma.us. Gulf of Maine Times - The Fall/Winter 2008 issue of the Gulf of Maine Times is now available online. This edition is primarily devoted to exploring efforts around the Gulf to provide alternative, renewable forms of energy such as wind and tidal power. The lead story, "Harnessing the Gulf's Winds, Tides for Reliable Energy Independence" shows a sampling of such efforts Gulf-wide. EPA Report on Sea Level Rise - EPA, in collaboration with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and NOAA, has released a report that discusses the impacts of sea level rise on the coast, coastal communities, and the habitats and species that depend on them. The report, Coastal Sensitivity to Sea-Level Rise: A Focus on the Mid-Atlantic Region, examines multiple opportunities for governments and coastal communities to plan for and adapt to rising sea levels. Coastal Condition Report - The National Coastal Condition Report III is the third in a series of environmental assessments of U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters. A collaboration of the EPA, NOAA, USGS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), coastal states, and the National Estuary Program, the report assesses America's coastal conditions using five indicators—water quality, sediment quality, benthic community condition, coastal habitat loss, and fish tissue contaminants. See the National Coastal Condition Reports web page. Cruise Ship Discharge Report - EPA has released a Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report that assesses five primary cruise ship waste streams—sewage, graywater, oily bilge water, solid waste, and hazardous waste. See the EPA Cruise Ship Discharge Assessment Report web page. Revised Guidance to Protect Wetlands and Streams - EPA and the Department of the Army have issued a revised guidance to ensure wetlands, streams, and other waters are better protected under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The revised guidance replaces previous policy issued in June 2007 and clarifies a June 2006 Supreme Court decision in Rapanos v. United States regarding the scope of the agencies' jurisdiction under the CWA. See the EPA website. Study on Coastal Wetlands - NOAA and USFWS have released the report, Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Coastal Watersheds of the Eastern United States: 1998 to 2004 (PDF, 447 KB), which shows a loss of 59,000 acres per year in the coastal watersheds of the Atlantic Ocean, Great Lakes, and Gulf of Mexico. This causes concern, as coastal wetlands are important habitat for commercial and recreational fish, waterfowl, and other species, and they protect coastal communities from the effects of coastal storms and floods. CICEET Progress Reports - The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) has released the Fall 2008 Progress Reports for its environmental technology development projects. Each project targets a priority challenge faced by natural resource managers in coastal states around the country. With support from CICEET, researchers from academia, industry, and the public sector are developing tools to monitor harmful algal blooms and coastal water quality, manage nutrient pollution, treat contaminated sediments, restore habitats, and support community resiliency. Coastal Services Magazine - The January/February 2009 issue of Coastal Services, a NOAA Coastal Services Center magazine, is now available online. This issue features articles about a using science to create dune and beach protection policy in Virginia, sustainable tourism in Ohio, and providing GIS services to conserve lands in Maine. Coastal Society Bulletin - The Winter 2008 issue of the Coastal Society Bulletin is now available. This edition features an article on leadership, gender, and the future of coastal and ocean management. Reminder - The following CZM publication listed in the last regular CZ-Mail is still available:
Google Earth with NOAA Charts - A new tool has been developed to provide NOAA nautical charts in a familiar Google Earth interface. The GeoGarage spatial image server, provides access to 1,018 U.S. nautical charts. Users can zoom in or out and adjust the transparency of these charts to see the underlying orthophotos and terrestrial maps. Living Shoreline Course for Marine Contractors - The Virginia Institute of Marine Science offers a free online design online course for marine contractors on "living shoreline" type designs. In this approach, the shoreline is re-shaped with natural materials to reduce erosion. See the Living Shoreline Design web page. Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Database - The U.S. Department of Energy has developed an online Marine and Hydrokinetic Technology Database that provides up-to-date information on marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy, both in the U.S. and around the world. The database includes wave, tidal, current, and ocean thermal energy, and contains information on the various energy conversion technologies, companies active in the field, and development of projects in the water. Online Education Resources for Teachers - NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) is offering a new set of environmental science resources for teachers in grades 5-12. Teachers need accurate information and resources to integrate ocean, coastal, and climate science into local and state curricula. These resources provide a variety of lesson plans, background information, resource links, tutorials, archived professional development seminars, media galleries, and interactive tools. The modules, created in partnership with the National Science Teachers Association, focus on estuaries, coral ecosystems, and the ocean's role in weather and climate. See the NOS professional development resources for teachers website. Ocean Guardian Programs - The NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries Ocean Guardian Programs encourage children to explore their natural surroundings to form a sense of personal connection to the ocean and/or watersheds in which they live. Students can become a member of the Ocean Guardian Kids Club. Teachers can form an Ocean Guardian Classroom. Check out the Ocean Guardian Programs website. Submerged Lands Conference Presentations - Presentations from the 27th Annual International Submerged Lands Management Conference, held last fall in Traverse City, Michigan, are available online. The conference highlighted issues surrounding the administration of submerged lands and adjacent uplands, such as regulations for energy facility planning and siting, protecting underwater natural resources, and dredging and coastal protection. See the conference website. Green Stormwater Practices - EPA and the U.S. Botanic Garden produced the online video, Reduce Runoff: Slow It Down, Spread It Out, Soak It In, which highlights green techniques such as rain gardens, green roofs and rain barrels to help manage stormwater runoff. The film showcases green techniques that are being used in urban areas to reduce the effects of stormwater runoff on the quality of downstream receiving waters. Public Comment No Discharge Area - EPA is seeking comments on a Massachusetts request to designate the coastal waters of the Lower North Shore as a vessel No Discharge Area. The NDA will encompass the coastal waters of Revere, Saugus, Lynn, Nahant, and Swampscott. Within the NDA, the dumping of all boat sewage, both treated and untreated, will be prohibited. For details, including commenting instructions, see the Federal Register Notice. Comments are due by February 4. Cape Wind EIS - The U.S. Department of the Interior's Mineral Management Service (MMS) has released the final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Cape Wind Energy Project proposed for Nantucket Sound. To download an electronic copy of the EIS, see the MMS website. Although this is a final EIS, comments are being accepted. Details on commenting are provided in the Federal Register Notice. Draft Watershed TMDL Handbook - EPA is seeking comments on the draft Handbook for Developing Watershed TMDLs. EPA is looking for ways to help states expedite development of scientifically defensible total maximum daily loads (TMDL). One strategy is to use a watershed framework. Grouping multiple impaired waterbodies into a single watershed TMDL may provide cost savings and result in more effective TMDLs that allow better restoration of impaired water bodies. See the EPA Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads web page. Comments are due by February 18. Climate Change Report - NOAA and the U.S. Climate Change Science Program are seeking comments on the draft Unified Synthesis Product, Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. This product will provide a single coherent analysis of the current understanding of climate change science, summarize the contributions of the Climate Change Science Program, and identify important gaps in the science. For details, see the Unified Synthesis Product web page. Comments are due by February 27. OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program - MMS is seeking comments on the Draft Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2010-2015. This proposed program will succeed the current program that expires on June 30, 2012. For details, see the Federal Register Notice. Comments are due by March 23. Reminder - The following comment opportunity listed in the last CZ-Mail is still open:
MACC Conference - On February 28, the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) will hold the 2009 MACC Annual Environmental Conference in Worcester. Join more than 1,000 Conservation Commissioners, local officials, state and federal officials, consultants, and attorneys for the largest regular environmental conference in New England. CZM's Cape and Islands Regional Coordinator, Steve McKenna, will present a workshop on beach nourishment and sediment management, an important tool for maintaining public and private beaches. This presentation will provide an overview of different types of beach nourishment projects and discuss the importance of regular nourishment to help mitigate impacts caused by various types of coastal engineering structures. The goal is to help Commissioners effectively review and evaluate nourishment projects, and also to improve and encourage local sediment management efforts. Whale Seminar - On February 4 at 6:30 p.m., the New Bedford Whaling Museum will hold the seminar, Whaling to Watching. The human interaction with whales has changed greatly over the past nine centuries. Through history, whales have been curiosities and sea monsters, commodities and sources of wealth and investment, rallying points for environmental consciousness, and the focus of intense and ongoing scientific research. Join the museum for this discussion presented by museum historian, Mike Dyer and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society's Senior Biologist, Regina Asmutis-Silvia. Horseshoe Crab Talk - On February 10 at 1:30 p.m., the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host The Horseshoe Crab, Living Fossil & Modern Medicine with Dr. Michael Dawson of Associates of Cape Cod talking about the biology of the horseshoe crab. Beach Preservation Technology Conference - On February 18-20, the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association will hold the 22nd Annual National Conference on Beach Preservation Technology in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida. Eelgrass Workshop - On February 24-25, the workshop Status, Trends, and Conservation of Eelgrass in Northeastern United States and Canada will be held in Portland, Maine. For more information contact Hilary Neckles at HNeckles@usgs.gov. Ecological Landscaping Conference - On February 27-28, the Ecological Landscaping Association will present the 15th Annual Conference & Eco-Marketplace in Springfield. The conference features almost twenty seminars and workshops presented by practitioners, writers, and educators in the fields of landscaping, gardening, eco-design solutions, and more. Sessions explore all aspects of ecological, sustainable, and organic landscaping, including minimizing water use, developing healthy soils, supporting urban and suburban forests, and designing and building gardens with diversity and native populations in mind. Coastal GeoTools Conference - On March 2-5, Coastal GeoTools 2009 will be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Coastal GeoTools is the conference series that focuses on the technical information needs of the nation's coastal programs. The theme for 2009 is "Building the Digital Coast," a new initiative that provides easy access to organized and relevant data, tools, and technical training. Climate Change Preparation Workshop - On March 3, the Massachusetts Coastal Training Program will hold the workshop Plan to Protect: How Communities Can Prepare for Climate Change in Hyannis. This full-day workshop will present case studies about different approaches to adaptation planning. Grant Writing Workshop - On March 9-10, Grant Writing USA, in coordination with the Bentley University Police Department, will hold a grant writing workshop at the Bentley campus in Waltham. The workshop is targeted at city, county, and state agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. Coastal Erosion Control Workshop - On March 11, Everett J. Prescott, Inc. will hold its 2nd Annual Coastal Erosion Control Workshop in Hyannis. For more information on this full-day workshop, contact Chris Holman at chris.holman@ejprescott.com. Cape Cod Natural History Conference - On March 14, Mass Audubon will hold the 14th Annual Cape Cod Natural History Conference at Cape Cod Community College. This full-day conference will feature presenters from environmental organizations across Cape Cod, speaking on a diversity of natural history topics. Come learn about local research projects, conservation efforts, and local environmental organizations. Mapping Massachusetts Communities Workshop - On both March 26 and 27, New Urban Research is holding a one-day GIS workshop in Waltham. Mapping Massachusetts Communities Workshop: An Introduction to GIS and Community Analysis is a beginner-level class for anyone interested in mapping their community. Using ArcGIS 9.3, participants will learn to create thematic maps of their own data, and display spatial trends in information. NOWRA Annual Conference - On April 6-9, the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) will hold the 18th Annual Technical Conference and Expo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The NOWRA annual conference serves as the premier national conference for the decentralized wastewater industry. Water Resources Research Conference - On April 7, the Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center will hold the Sixth Annual Water Resources Research Conference at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The conference will highlight interactions in water resources, including science, policy, management, and design. Great Marsh Symposium - On April 11, the Great Marsh Symposium, Discover a Coastal Treasure in Our Backyard, will be held at the Parker River National Wildlife Headquarters in Newburyport. The symposium will feature numerous presentations by experts on the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England. For details, see the Great Marsh website. Massachusetts Envirothon - The 2009 Massachusetts Envirothon, the leading natural resource education program for Commonwealth's high school students, will kickoff on May 13 at the Doyle Center in Leominster. Teams comprised of five students represent their school or organization in a statewide competition testing their knowledge of aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife, and current environmental issues. A final competition event and award ceremony will be held on May 30. To get involved, see the Massachusetts Envirothon website. Northeast Beaches Conference—Call for Papers - The 2009 Northeast Beaches Conference will be held in Woods Hole on September 21-23. The theme for 2009 is local efforts in shoreline management and protection. Abstracts are due by May 15. Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference - On May 18-20, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC) will hold the 20th Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference in Portland, Maine. The three-day event brings together those in New England and New York state involved in nonpoint source pollution management, including participants from government and private sector, academia, and watershed organizations. International Marine Conservation Congress - On May 20-24, the 2009 International Marine Conservation Congress (IMCC) will be held in Washington, DC. The goal of the IMCC is to put conservation science into practice through public and media outreach and the development of science-based deliverables that will be used to drive policy change and implementation. Major themes for the 2009 conference include global climate change, the land-sea interface, ecosystem-based management, and poverty and globalization. Marine Educators Conference—Call for Presentations - On June 29-July 3, the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) will hold the NMEA 2009: One World Conserving One Ocean conference in Pacific Grove, California. Presentation proposals are due by February 15. Reminders - The following calendar items, posted in the last regular CZ-Mail, are still to come:
2009 Nickerson Fellowship - The Nickerson Conservation Fellowship Committee is currently soliciting proposals from self-directed, qualified individuals whose work will contribute to the knowledge of natural and cultural resources within Cape Cod National Seashore. Proposals will be accepted for research in the broad areas of the natural and social sciences, including coastal erosion, effects of tidal restoration, saltmarsh dieback, nutrient loading in estuaries and harbors, and horseshoe crab ecology and management. The 2009 fellowship will provide a $3,000 stipend as well as free housing. For details, including application information, contact Megan Tyrrell at Megan_Tyrrell@nps.gov. The application deadline is March 31. Right Whale Ship Strike Speed Restrictions - Speed restrictions of 10 knots or less are now in effect for vessels 65 feet and greater in the Cape Cod Bay Seasonal Management Area, the Mid-Atlantic Seasonal Management Areas, and the Southeast Seasonal Management Areas. For details about these restrictions and other ship strike rules and recommendations, see NOAA's Ship Strike web page. Stellwagen Advisory Council - The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for one alternate position representing business/industry on its Sanctuary Advisory Council. To receive an application kit, contact Elizabeth.Stokes@noaa.gov. Applications are due by February 23. Marine Policy Fellowships - The NOAA Sea Grant College Program is accepting applications for the 2010 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. This one-year program provides a unique educational experience to students who have an interest in ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program matches highly qualified graduate students with hosts in the legislative and executive branches, or appropriate associations/institutions located in the Washington, DC area, for a one year paid fellowship. Applications are due by February 20, 2009. CZM Mourns Loss of Michael Penney and Barbara Fegan - It is with sadness that we report that former CZM staff member, Michael Penney, passed away on December 17 at the age of 61. In the 1980s, Michael worked for CZM on policies that promoted public walkways along the harbor at places like Rowes Wharf. See the Boston Globe's obituary for more on Michael and his life. CZM also mourns the loss of long-time member of CZM's Coastal Resources Advisory Board (CRAB), Barbara Fegan, who died on January 10. She started Coastweeks in 1982 to educate people about the country's coastal resources and pushed for getting Stellwagen Bank declared a national marine sanctuary. See the Boston Globe's obituary for more on Barbara and her life. CZM extends our heartfelt condolences to both of their families. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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