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CZ-Mail November 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. Please feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and 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.
Draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan—Hearings, Public Review, and Comment The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) released the draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan in July for public review and comment. In October, EEA continued to hold public meetings to facilitate review of the draft plan. Meetings were held in Hingham, Nantucket, and Danvers, and on Martha's Vineyard. In addition, EEA and the agencies began reviewing the comments received to develop appropriate responses and changes to the draft plan. The Oceans Act sets a deadline of December 31, 2009, for final promulgation of a plan that balances protection of marine resources with uses such as renewable energy development. Public comments on the draft plan must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 23. To provide online comments, see the ocean plan Public Input Portal comments page. Submit written comments to: Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management Re: Draft Ocean Management Plan 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800 Boston, MA 02114 See the Draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan website for links to the two-volume draft plan and all maps and figures. To receive periodic ocean plan updates, send an email to join-env-oceanplan@listserv.state.ma.us. Climate Change Advisory Committee Work Continues The state's Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Committee (CCAAC) met on October 20 to review draft strategies that will alleviate current and future impacts of a changing climate. These strategies were recommended by six subcommittees: Coastal Zone and Ocean, Natural Resources and Habitat, Local Economy and Government, Human Health and Welfare, Key Infrastructure, and Land Use. Next steps will be to further refine the draft strategies and prepare the draft report for review. Stay tuned to CZ-Mail for future details. National StormSmart Coasts Network Recognizes Hull's Innovative Freeboard Incentive The national StormSmart Coasts Network has congratulated the town of Hull and CZM for efforts to encourage safer building practices without passing new regulations. The town of Hull's Board of Selectmen unanimously approved immediate implementation of an innovative incentive program to encourage builders to "freeboard" or elevate existing and new buildings above predicted floodwaters. The program offers applicants a $500 credit to be used toward building permit fees if the builder elevates the structure at least two feet above the highest federal or state requirement. For more information on the Hull incentive program, see the national StormSmart Coasts Network website. As one of the five pilot projects selected for implementing coastal floodplain and sea level rise management tools and strategies through the StormSmart Coasts program, CZM assisted Hull in the development of this approach. Marine invasive Species Data Now Available in MORIS Data layers representing the distribution of 13 priority marine invaders are now available through the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS). These layers were created from observations recorded in 2008 by partners and citizen scientists of CZM's Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC). MIMIC trains citizen scientists to monitor for the presence of 13 established marine invasive species and seven potential invaders at cobble shores, tidepools, and floating docks across New England. MORIS is an online mapping tool created by CZM and the Massachusetts Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS) that allows users to interactively view various data layers over a backdrop of aerial photographs, political boundaries, natural resources, human uses, bathymetry, or other data, and quickly create maps and download data for use in Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. To view the marine invasive species data layers, see the MORIS website. Once you launch MORIS, the data layers can be found in the "2008 Monitoring" folder, under the "Marine Invasive Species" folder, in the "Biological Data" folder. CZM Welcomes Delegation from China Meteorological Administration On October 14, CZM hosted senior executives from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) and provincial meteorological agencies to discuss climate change risks, management, and the StormSmart Coasts program. CZM and partners from the U.S. Geological Survey, National Weather Service, University of Massachusetts Boston, and other state agencies presented overviews of risk analysis, planning, and emergency management in the Commonwealth. The meeting was requested by CMA as part of a three-week visit with government agencies and meteorological associations across the country. Marine Archaeology Celebrated in October October was Massachusetts Archaeology Month and CZM's Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) participated in a two-day event. On October 16 and 17, BUAR took part in the Archaeological Institute of America's Archaeology Fair at the Boston Museum of Science. The fair was directed to school groups on Friday and the general public on Saturday. BUAR activities included participation in a mock "dig" of a shipwreck and exhibits. BUAR Director, Victor Mastone, was assisted by board member Marcie Bilinski, volunteer Sharon Mastone, and Boston University undergraduate students, Jocelyn Slocum and Maria Sandvig. For more information about underwater archaeology in the Commonwealth, see the BUAR website. Grants/Funding Opportunities Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grant Program - CZM is seeking proposals for the Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) grant program. For Fiscal Year 2010, the CPR program will provide up to $400,000 to municipalities located in the Massachusetts Coastal Watershed to assess and remediate stormwater pollution from paved and unpaved surfaces and to design, install, or upgrade boat pumpout facilities. As much as $125,000 may be requested, and a 25% match of the total project cost is required. To view the Request for Responses (RFR), visit the Comm-PASS website and search for solicitation number "ENV 10 CZM 01." In November, CZM will host two informational meetings to discuss program eligibility, desired projects, timelines, and more. The meetings will be held on November 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Plymouth Town Hall and November 13 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the CZM Office in Boston. Applications are due by December 4, and projects must be completed by June 30, 2010. River Restoration Grants - The American Rivers/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Community-Based Restoration Program Partnership is seeking proposals to fund stream barrier removal projects that help restore riverine ecosystems, enhance public safety and community resilience, and have clear and identifiable benefits to diadromous fish populations. For details see the American Rivers website. Proposals are due by December 18. Reminder - This opportunity listed in the last CZ-Mail is still available:
Eelgrass Mitigation Guidelines - The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has published general recommendations on methods and standards for eelgrass restoration, mitigation, and associated monitoring. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) Restoration and Monitoring Technical Guidelines is targeted at local, state, and federal resource and permitting agencies, as well as project applicants and consultants, as a guide in the design and review of eelgrass restoration and mitigation projects. Download the eelgrass guidelines (PDF, 54 KB) on the DMF website. Ebb & Flow - The newly established Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) has published the inaugural edition of its Ebb & Flow eNewsletter. In July, CZM's Wetlands Restoration Program (WRP) merged with the Riverways Program to create DER within the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG). This new division is focused on pro-active ecological restoration of coastal and inland aquatic systems. This first issue features updates on the DER projects currently underway, and includes sections on grants, resources, and events. Article Examines Ocean Governance - The Bulletin of Marine Science has published "Comprehensive Planning, Dominant-Use Zones, and User Rights: A New Era in Ocean Governance," which provides a discussion of the social and legal aspects of ocean zoning, focusing on comprehensive planning, segregation of activities into use-priority areas, and the allocation of user rights within each zone. The Role of Healthy Oceans in Binding Carbon - The United Nations Environment Programme has released Blue Carbon: The Role of Healthy Oceans in Binding Carbon, which concludes that mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes are among the most cost effective carbon capture and storage systems on the planet. The report urges that action is needed to maintain and restore "Blue Carbon" sinks. A combination of reducing deforestation on land coupled with restoring the coverage and health of these marine ecosystems could deliver up to 25% of the emissions reductions needed to avoid climate change. Coastal Management Newsletter - The October 2009 edition of NOAA's Coastal Program Division's Coastal Management News features articles about coastal GIS collaboration on the west coast, the draft Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan, coastal marsh bird conservation in Alabama, and more. Hands-on Activities to Teach Physical Concepts in Oceanography - The Oceanography Society has published a supplement to the journal Oceanography that provides hands-on activities to teach physical concepts in oceanography. All activities have been successfully adapted by middle and high school teachers. See Teaching Physical Concepts in Oceanography: An Inquiry-Based Approach. MACC Newsletter - The Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions' (MACC) September/October 2009 newsletter (PDF, 2.7 MB) includes articles on regulating stormwater pollutants, wetland alterations, the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, MACC training programs, and other Conservation Commission news. MACC provides education and support for Conservation Commissions in the Commonwealth. Marine Ecosystems and Management Information Service - The current edition of Marine Ecosystems and Management (MEAM), the bimonthly information service on marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) from the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs, is now available online. MEAM serves the global resource management community with news, views, analysis, and tips gathered from experts around the world. The current edition covers topics such as EBM communication, EBM tools, and other news and notes. Atlantic CoastWatch Newsletter - The September/October 2009 issue of Atlantic CoastWatch, the bimonthly newsletter from the Sustainable Development Institute that provides news and information about the Atlantic coasts of Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean, is now available. This edition includes articles on flood insurance reform, coping with coyotes, courts and the seashore, and other Atlantic coast news. Invasive Species Posters - The Northeast Sea Grant Programs and Northeast States have produced informational placards aimed at stopping the spread of marine invasive species. Appropriate for posting at docks, piers, bait stores, and other fishing-related locations, these signs encourage fishers to discard seaweed and unused bait in the trash instead of the water where they could accidentally cause the spread of non-native plants and animals. The placards can be requested by contacting Judy Pederson at jpederso@mit.edu. A printable version can also be downloaded from the MIT Sea Grant website (PDF, 450 KB). Websites NPDES Permit Program Overview - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Water Quality Standards Academy has posted its fourth Basic Course Supplemental Topics Module: NPDES Permit Program. The new online module provides an overview of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulatory program, established under the Clean Water Act, which authorizes the issuing of permits to control the discharge of pollutants from point sources into U.S. waters. Living in Weather - NOAA's Ocean Service Education website offers a new Living in the Weather professional development resource for teachers to help students understand the connection between weather patterns, the ocean, and the impact of extreme weather events. Immersion Learning - Immersion Learning is a hands-on science education program that provides schools and informal learning organizations with the opportunity to host interactive science experiences for students in grades 4 through 8. Live webcasts from oceanographer Bob Ballard's scientific expeditions, hands-on activities, and internet resources are all part of the themed curricula that brings ocean adventures and discoveries into classrooms. Making Waves - Making Waves is a multimedia outreach project designed to help bring science and math to life in the middle school classroom by unlocking the mysteries of the oceans. Developed by the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida, U.S. Geological Survey, and InterActive Teacher Magazine, the website's resource topics include sea level rise, red tides, oceans from space, real-time data, and much more. Public Comment Living Organisms in Ships' Ballast Water—Deadline Extended - The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking comments on proposed amendments to regulations on ballast water management. These amendments will establish standards for the allowable concentration of living organisms in ships' ballast water discharged in U.S. waters and an approval process for ballast water management systems. For more information and to submit comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for docket number USCG-2001-10486. Comments are now due by December 4. Reminders - The following comment opportunities posted in the last CZ-Mail are still available:
Coastal Hazards Mapping Workshops - CZM is holding four workshops entitled Coastal Hazards Mapping Workshop for Local Officials: Preparing for Current and Future Impacts with Available Tools. Designed for municipal officials and staff, workshop presentations will describe current flood mapping efforts—including FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Sea Lake and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) Maps. Details on how to evaluate other coastal threats not covered by these maps using tools such as tide gauge records and inundation visualizations will also be presented. Discussion will center on applying these tools at the local level and additional information needs. These workshops are scheduled as follows:
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies Fall Lecture Series - This fall, the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies will hold a lecture series on Cape Cod. On November 5, CZM's Ocean Services Manager, John Weber, will speak in Provincetown about the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan and what it means for the future of Massachusetts waters. On December 3, a panel discussion will be held at the Wellfleet Public Library on sector management and the future for the Cape Cod fishing industry. A panel of policymakers, fishermen, and scientists will come together to discuss the pros and cons of sector management. International Submerged Lands Conference Webinar Series - This fall the 28th International Submerged Lands Management Conference is holding a webinar series hosted by the Florida's coastal management program. The upcoming sessions are: Wetlands Restoration: An Adaptation Strategy to Address Sea Level Rise on November 5, and Marine Spatial Planning on November 19. Falmouth Forum Lectures - Through the fall and winter, the Woods Hole Marine Biological Lab (MBL) will host the Falmouth Forum Series of lectures. On November 6, Deborah Cramer, author of Smithsonian Ocean: Our Water, Our World, will explore the ways the sea is essential to all of us. All lectures are at 7:30 p.m. in MBL's Lillie Auditorium. For more information, see the MBL website. Project Oceanology - On November 6-7, Project Oceanology and Connecticut Sea Grant will present Building New England Connections, a professional development session that will bring together teams of teachers using the watersheds and coastal environments of New England as a context for learning. With funding from NOAA's Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program, teachers will participate in a model research experience that will help them incorporate estuarine and watershed concepts into their classroom curriculums. After the session, teams and 50 of their students will have an opportunity to participate in a two-day overnight research project, scheduled for the early 2010. For details contact Lauren Rader at lrader@oceanology.org. Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Meeting - The Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission will meet at 1:00 p.m. on November 16 in the meeting room at Cape Cod National Seashore Headquarters, Marconi Station, Wellfleet. The meeting is open to the public and interested parties may make oral/written presentations to the commission. Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference—Call for Papers - On May 17-19, 2010, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will hold the 21st Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference in Plymouth. Submissions for conference presentations are due by December 9. Reminders - The following calendar items posted in the last CZ-Mail are still to come:
Teacher at Sea Program - The NOAA Teacher at Sea Program is accepting applications for the 2010 field season. The program provides a unique learning and teaching environment for teachers, kindergarten through college, aboard NOAA research and survey ships to work under the direction of NOAA scientists and crew. Applications are due by December 31. Climate Change Adaptation Survey - EcoAdapt is seeking input for a Marine and Coastal Adaptation Survey of past, current, and proposed climate change adaptation activities and projects in North America. The results will be used to prepare a synthesis report of the state of coastal and marine adaptation in the United Statets, Canada, and Mexico. If interested, fill out the survey. Stellwagen Advisory Council - The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for several seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council. To receive an application kit, contact Elizabeth.Stokes@noaa.gov. Applications are due by December 18. Marine Policy Fellowships - The NOAA Sea Grant College Program is accepting applications for the 2011 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 area of Washington, DC, for a one year paid fellowship. Applications are due by February 19, 2010. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Boston, MA 02114