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CZ-Mail May 2010 Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Each issue 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. To subscribe to CZ-Mail, send a blank email to join-env-cz-mail@listserv.state.ma.us. Also, please feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have any suggestions for future editions, or would like make a change to your CZ-Mail subscription, 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.
CZM to Survey the Seafloor aboard the Bold In June, CZM staff will be conducting an eight-day survey in Massachusetts Bay on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Ocean Survey Vessel Bold—collecting samples of sediments and benthic organisms and shooting underwater videos of the seafloor and its marine life. The results will be used to groundtruth habitat maps of the seafloor created by CZM using a combination of surficial geology, bathymetry, and backscatter data. The survey will also act as a pilot project to test collection and analysis methods in support of a larger seafloor mapping partnership between CZM and the US Geological Survey across all Massachusetts marine waters. The final habitat maps will help CZM refine the resource maps used in the 2009 Massachusetts Management Ocean Plan and will assist CZM and other agencies in their siting and permitting of ocean uses. CZM's proposal was selected through a competitive process conducted by EPA Region 1, and the time and space provided by the OSV Bold represents a significant federal contribution to Massachusetts's ocean management efforts. CZM Nominates Gloucester Property for CELCP Funding CZM has submitted an application to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to nominate the Magnolia Hill Conservation Project in Gloucester for federal fiscal year 2011 Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) funding. With CZM's support, the city of Gloucester is seeking $3 million in CELCP funding to obtain a conservation easement on this 109-acre property that is directly adjacent to The Trustees of Reservations' Ravenswood Park and extensive amounts of Gloucester Watershed Protection Lands. The Trustees would hold title to the land and would expand park activities onto the property. The Trust for Public Land played a very large role in the development of this land conservation opportunity and in writing the project application. If selected for funding by NOAA, this project will lead to the long-term protection of more than one hundred acres of land with exceptional ecological, conservation, recreational, historic, and aesthetic values, and will result in approximately 1,260 acres of contiguous protected conservation lands. The project is also very close to an additional 1,650 acres of protected municipal and private conservation lands. Competition for the limited federal CELCP 2011 funds is expected to be strong. For more information on this federal land protection program, see CZM's CELCP website. Spatial Data for Final Ocean Management Plan Now in MORIS The spatial information that was incorporated into the final Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan is now available in the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS), CZM's online mapping tool. MORIS presents all the data layers featured in the final plan maps, with each layer symbolized to match the hardcopy and PDF versions of the maps. In MORIS, users have the ability to read the metadata that accompanies each layer and combine data layers with other CZM and Massachusetts Office of Geographic and Environmental Information (MassGIS) data to create customized maps. Also, the layers can be downloaded as industry standard ESRI shapefiles. For questions about the map layers or MORIS, contact Daniel Sampson at daniel.sampson@state.ma.us. Coastal Waters Recreational Boating Study This summer boaters will be surveyed to determine important recreational routes and destinations in Massachusetts coastal waters so that these areas can be given appropriate attention in management decisions. The University of Massachusetts Boston's Urban Harbors Institute is leading the study in partnership with the Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, Massachusetts Harbormasters Association, Massachusetts Boating and Yacht Club Association, Sailors for the Sea, and Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, with funding provided by the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership. The study will begin in late May and will extend through October to capture information for the boating season. This project is in response to an identified priority of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. Please see the Massachusetts Recreational Boater Survey website for more information. Climate Ready Estuaries Salt Marsh Vulnerability Assessment Workshop In April, the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program and EPA held a "Climate Ready Estuaries" Salt Marsh Vulnerability Assessment Workshop in Boston. During the two-day workshop, a group of 14 salt marsh scientists gathered to develop conceptual models of key salt marsh ecosystem processes and determine how those models might differ under a range of climate scenarios. The "Community Interactions Group" looked at the potential response of plant communities to climate change and the "Sediment Retention Group" discussed a marsh's ability to keep up with projected sea level rise. Results of the workshop will be made available later in 2010. "Climate Ready Estuaries" is a partnership between EPA and the National Estuary Programs that seeks to build local capacity for adapting to the impacts of climate change. Federal Assistance for March Flood Victims in Massachusetts President Obama declared a major disaster for Massachusetts due to the severe storms and flooding that began on March 12. This declaration makes federal disaster aid available for the Commonwealth to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the storms and flooding, including individuals in Bristol, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Registration is required to receive assistance. Those who suffered disaster-related damage or loss should visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website or call (800) 621-3362 to register. For more information, including tips to speed assistance, see this FEMA press release. Grants/Funding Opportunities Buzzards Bay Watershed Municipal Minigrant Program - The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) is seeking proposals from eligible Buzzards Bay watershed communities for projects that help meet the BBNEP's goals to protect and restore water quality and living resources in Buzzards Bay and its surrounding watershed. A total of $282,500 of federal funds is available. To view the Request for Responses (RFR), visit the Comm-PASS website and search for document number "ENV 10 CZM 04." For more information about the program and past awards, see the BBNEP funding web page. Proposals are due by June 2. Nature Conservancy Restoration Grants - The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in partnership with NOAA's Community-Based Restoration Program, is seeking proposals for projects at TNC priority sites throughout the United States and its territories to restore or enhance estuarine, marine, and anadromous species and their habitats. For details, see the NOAA/TNC Grants web page. Proposals are due by May 21. National Environmental Education Training Program - EPA is accepting applications for the National Environmental Education Training Program to help manage the program for the next five years. EPA will award one cooperative agreement, worth approximately $10 million over five years, which will provide teachers and other education professionals with resources and support to enable them to teach about environmental issues more effectively. Applications are due by July 26. Reminders - These opportunities listed in the last CZ-Mail are still available:
StormSmart Coasts National Newsletter - The National StormSmart Coasts Network's latest monthly newsletter features resources for coastal decision makers looking for information on how to protect communities from weather and climate hazards. This issue provides entries from the StormSmart national blog and describes updates to the StormSmart Coasts website, which include the addition of Florida to the national network and new features that provide state-specific, nearly-live weather maps that also show current weather warnings and flooding. Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities - NOAA, in consultation with the national Smart Growth Network, has released Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities, which includes an overview of the unique development challenges and opportunities along the water and provides specific approaches for better land use planning. EPA Climate Reports - EPA's Office of Water has issued the National Water Program Climate Change Strategy 2009 Progress Report, which summarizes the climate change accomplishments of the National Water Program through 2009. Ocean Survey Report - EPA has released the OSV Bold 2009 Annual Report (PDF, 5 MB), which summarizes surveys completed by the Ocean Survey Vessel (OSV) Bold, EPA's coastal and ocean monitoring and assessment vessel. In 2009, the OSV Bold, supported more than 25 scientific surveys along the Atlantic Coast, Gulf of Mexico, Florida Keys, and the Caribbean Sea. The annual report highlights the Bold's scientific survey capabilities, survey accomplishments, and the unique role the vessel plays in supporting EPA's monitoring and assessment programs. The data gathered through Bold survey activities is essential in helping EPA make regulatory and policy decisions to control pollution sources. For more information, see the OSV Bold website. Climate Change Indicators Report - EPA has released the Climate Change Indicators in the United States report, which presents 24 indicators that describe trends related to the causes and effects of climate change. The report's primary focus is the United States, although in some cases global trends are presented to provide context or a basis for comparison. EPA will use these indicators to monitor the impacts of climate change, assist decision makers on how to best respond to climate change, and help evaluate the success of climate change efforts. Geographic Sciences Research Report - A new report from the U.S. National Research Council, entitled Understanding the Changing Planet: Strategic Directions for the Geographical Sciences, presents 11 questions to shape the next decade of geographical sciences research. Populations are moving and natural resources are being depleted. These questions aim to provide a more complete understanding of where and how landscapes are changing to help society manage and adapt to the transformation of Earth's surface. Ebb & Flow - The April 2010 issue of Ebb & Flow, the eNewsletter of the Department of Fish and Game's Division of Ecological Restoration, highlights job creation and investment in the green and blue infrastructure, linking landscapes for Massachusetts wildlife, and river restoration project updates. It also includes sections on grants, resources, and events. Coastal Services Magazine - The May/June 2010 issue of Coastal Services, a NOAA Coastal Services Center magazine, features articles about a communicating climate change in Oregon and Maine, hurricane recovery in Texas, coastal conservation in South Carolina, and other news and notes. Coastal Management Newsletter - The April 2010 edition of NOAA's Coastal Program Division's Coastal Management News features articles about NOAA's new State of the Coast website, restoration efforts in Mississippi, and more. Coastal Society Bulletin - The Spring 2010 Coastal Society Bulletin features articles on tools to assist coastal managers, marine spatial planning resources, and other Coastal Society news and updates. Coastal Connections - The April/May 2010 issue of NOAA's Coastal Connections focuses on indentifying high-priority habitat and efforts to pinpoint the most strategic lands and resources for conservation or restoration. Environmental Financing Newsletter - EPA's Center for Environmental Finance (CEF) inaugural March 2010 newsletter (PDF, 123 KB) introduces CEF's programs and features an article about an innovative concept that produces long-term, low-cost incentives for installing improvements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and reduce nonpoint source water pollution. CEF was created to help the regulated community learn how to pay for environmental facilities and services and acquire the tools and resources needed to meet environmental mandates. For more information, see the CEF website. Marine Ecosystems and Management Information Service - The April/May 2010 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 features articles on feasible first steps toward effective EBM, an EBM toolbox, and other notes and news. Atlas of Global Conservation - On Earth Day, the Nature Conservancy and University of California Press published The Atlas of Global Conservation, which includes information on where animal populations are concentrated, which species are in imminent danger of extinction, where forests are disappearing most rapidly, and where nature is thriving. The book includes more than 100 full-color maps and charts, as well as essays by leading conservation thinkers that put the information in its larger context. Reminder - The following publication posted in the last CZ-Mail is still available:
Wetlands and Rivers Month Calendar - May is Wetlands Month and June is Rivers Month. This online calendar, prepared by the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, lists related events in, on, and along the rivers and wetlands of Massachusetts. These events extend through July 4. Pollution Prevention Exchange - The national Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx) facilitates a national network of regional centers dedicated to improving the dissemination of pollution prevention information. The Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA) manages one of the eight regional pollution prevention information centers that make up P2Rx and has developed 14 Topic Hubs for a variety of chemicals, products, and industry sectors, including marinas, mercury, and metal fabrication. North American Environmental Atlas - The North American Environmental Atlas was developed through a collaboration of government agencies in Canada, Mexico, and the United States and the trilateral Commission for Environmental Cooperation. This online atlas assembles seamless, accurate, cartographic data, including maps, documentation, and interactive map layers at a scale of 1:10,000,000. Recent additions to the atlas include the North American Land Cover 2005 map, which depicts 19 classes of land cover at a spatial resolution of 250 meters. Transit-Oriented Development Guide - The Mixed Income Transit-Oriented Development Action Guide is an online tool designed to help local jurisdictions and planners develop strategies to create mixed-income, transit-oriented development around planned transit stations. This interactive site was developed by the Center for Transit-Oriented Development in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ocean Biogeographic Information System - The global Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) is a one-stop source for biogeographic data collected from world waters and oceanic regions. It provides access to data sets from a multitude of partners documenting where and when species were observed or collected. Current features allow users to view data and metadata, including geographic, temporal, or spatial extent and taxonomic depth and richness. OBIS was established by the Census of Marine Life, as an evolving strategic alliance of people and organizations sharing a vision to make marine biogeographic data from all over the world freely available over the internet. Public Comment Reminders - These comment opportunities posted in the last CZ-Mail are still available:
Mass Bays Project Coordinator - The Massachusetts Bays Program (MBP) is seeking applicants for a Special Projects Coordinator position to work on a wide range of progressive estuarine protection and restoration initiatives throughout Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays. The Special Projects Coordinator will develop and manage outreach initiatives related to core projects and programs and cultivate relationships with key partners. The coordinator will also assist the MBP Director in many additional aspects of program administration, including facilitating management committee meetings, responding to program inquiries and requests, and managing the MBP Municipal Grant Program. Applications are due by May 14. Land Protection and Stewardship Specialist - The Coalition for Buzzards Bay (CBB) is seeking applicants for a Land Protection and Stewardship Specialist to manage stewardship of the numerous conservation restrictions and lands owned in fee by CBB and to coordinate land protection activities in Wareham for the Wareham Land Trust. The full-time position will split time between the CBB office in New Bedford and the Land Trust office in Wareham. Applications are due by May 21. Merrimack River Watershed Council Executive Director - The Merrimack River Watershed Council is seeking applications for Executive Director to oversee day-to-day operations. This includes cultivating key partnerships and donor relationships; acting as the champion and voice of the Merrimack River; ensuring that all products and projects are produced and carried out in an effective, professional, and timely manner; overseeing staff and volunteers; and developing and managing the budget. The Executive Director is also responsible for developing and implementing short- and long-term strategic plans. Applications are due by June 1. Calendar Wednesday Walks - On Wednesdays in May and June, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will hold a series of walks with naturalist Connie Boyce. For details about each walk, see the museum calendar. Barnstable Land Trust Walks and Talks - From spring through autumn, the Barnstable Land Trust will hold numerous events as part of its Walks & Talks nature series. For details, see the Barnstable Land Trust website. National Coastal Conference—Call for Abstracts - On October 13-15, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association will hold the 2010 National Coastal Conference: Celebrating the Diversity of the Coast in Charleston, South Carolina. The three-day conference will feature discussions on coastal science, policy, technology, and politics. Presentations are invited on a suite of coastal-related topics. See the Call for Abstracts. Submissions are due by May 7. Project Design and Evaluation Course - On May 10, the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve's (WBNERR) Coastal Training Program is sponsoring a two-day Project Design and Evaluation course to provide the knowledge, skills, and tools to design and implement projects that have measurable impacts on a targeted audience. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m. each morning at WBNERR. Sea Level Rise Lecture - On May 10 from 7:00-9:00 p.m., the New England Aquarium will hold the lecture Sea Level Rising: The Chatham Story by William Sargent, author and consultant for public television's Nova. In 2007, a new inlet broke through the barrier beach that protects Pleasant Bay on Cape Cod, which caused the town of Chatham to face significant sea level rise. Mr. Sargent will discuss the changes brought about by the breakup of Nauset Beach in Chatham and recent changes on Plum Island and Nantucket. To RSVP, see the aquarium website. Water Resources Conference—Call for Abstracts - On November 1-4, the American Water Resources Association will host the 2010 Annual Water Resources Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Presentations are invited for water resources related topics including, agricultural hydrology, climate change, information management and tools, forest hydrology, water and energy, and water quality. Submissions are due by May 14. Water Resources Conference - On May 18 at the Cape Cod & Islands Association of Realtors' Conference Center in West Yarmouth, WBNERR's Coastal Training Program will hold a full-day conference entitled Protecting the Cape's Water Resources: Water Reuse and Groundwater Recharge as Keys for Sustainable Water Management. National and local experts will present on new state reclaimed water regulations, treatment technologies, well injection, soil aquifer treatment, and other topics. For more information and to register, see the WBNERR website. Rain Garden Tour - On May 20, the Ecological Landscaping Association and the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition will hold a Rain Gardens in Successful Stormwater Management tour (PDF, 183 KB) at the Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster from 4:30-8:00 p.m. This Eco-Tour will showcase the successful implementation of rain gardens, tree box filters, bio-retention areas, and other practices that improve the water quality. Erosion Control Conference—Call for Presentations - On February 20-23, 2011, Environmental Connection, the annual conference of the International Erosion Control Association, will be held in Orlando, Florida. This is a primary educational event for the erosion, sediment control, and stormwater industry. Environmental Connection combines intense, full- and half-day training courses with topic-focused technical sessions and a large vendor exposition. For information about presenting, see the conference website. Submissions of abstracts for half-day and full-day courses and one-hour presentations are due by May 20. Cape Cod Maritime History Symposium - On May 22, the 14th annual Cape Cod Maritime History Symposium will be held at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. The annual gathering will explore and commemorate maritime heritage through four illustrated presentations by experienced professionals and historians. Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Meeting - The Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission will meet at 1:00 p.m. on May 24 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. BUAR Public Meeting - On May 27 at 1:30 p.m., CZM's Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) will hold its bimonthly public board meeting at CZM's Boston office in the CZM Large Conference Room. For additional information, contact BUAR Director, Victor Mastone, at victor.mastone@state.ma.us. Summer Cinema by the Sea - This spring and summer, the Northeastern University's Marine Science Center in Nahant will hold a free film series of marine-related documentaries. The tentative schedule is: May 27, The Cove; June 22, Black Wave: The Legacy of the Exxon Valdez; July 27, The Fish Belong to the People; and August 31, The End of the Line. All screenings are open to the public and will be held at the Marine Science Center, 430 Nahant Road, Nahant. Popcorn will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Each film will be followed by a discussion led by the film's producer and/or an expert in the subject area. For details, contact Carole McCauley at c.mccauley@neu.edu. Environmental Business Council Annual Meeting and Awards - On June 3, the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) will hold the 20th Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration in Boston. Each year, EBC recognizes companies, organizations, and individuals for outstanding environmental/energy accomplishments in the promotion of a sustainable, clean environment through this awards celebration. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Meeting - On June 3-4, the 16th Annual Meeting of the North Atlantic Chapter of the Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry will be held in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Great Neighborhoods Summit - On June 10, The Massachusetts Smart Growth Alliance will hold a Great Neighborhoods Summit in Boston. The Alliance will bring together a panel of people who have helped communities create great neighborhoods across the country. The panel will share its many years of experience helping to make great places to live, work, and play. Oceans and Human Health Conference and Seminar - On June 13-18, the University of New England will hold the 2010 Gordon Research Conference and Seminar on Oceans and Human Health in Biddeford, Maine. The conference will present cutting-edge research on the health-related ecosystem services provided by the ocean. Topics will include, pharmaceuticals derived from marine organisms, seafood safety, recreational water quality monitoring, harmful algal blooms, practical applications of genomics and proteomics to risk management, and issues related to climate change. The conference will be preceded by a Gordon Research Seminar, which will provide opportunities for junior scientists and graduate students to present their work in poster format and in short talks and to exchange ideas with leaders in the field. Reminders - The following calendar items posted in the last CZ-Mail are still to come:
CZ-Tip: Spring Cleaning the Green Way - Disinfectants, oven cleaners, furniture polish, and other household cleaning products can pose serious health hazards to people and pets. Bleach, for instance, can burn your skin and irritate your lungs. Carpet shampoos and air fresheners contain known carcinogens. Ammonia can negatively affect the nervous system—and if combined with bleach can create toxic gas. Why expose you and your family to these hazards while cleaning your house, driveway, car, or boat? You can make your own earth-and-ocean friendly cleaning products—many using ingredients found in any grocery store. Or if you prefer, there are a number of cleaning agents on the market that don't contain harmful toxins. See the CZ-Tip Spring Cleaning the Green Way for ways to make this spring green inside and out. May Is American Wetlands Month - EPA will celebrate the 20th American Wetlands Month in May. This annual celebration recognizes and highlights the benefits that wetlands provide to the natural environment. For more information, see EPA's Wetlands Month web page. Field-Based Research Program for High School Students - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is now accepting applications for TIDAL Quest (PDF, 82 KB), a week-long, field-based research program for high school students to be held July 19-23. Applications will be accepted until the program is full. Coastal Ocean Science Academy - On August 9-21, the Northeastern University's Marine Science Center in Nahant will offer the Coastal Ocean Science Academy (COSA) program to high school students. Applications are due by June 30. 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 June 1. Rachel Carson Contest - EPA is calling for submissions to the fourth annual Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder Contest. Carson is considered to be the founder of the contemporary environmental movement through her landmark book, Silent Spring. Entries will be accepted in four categories-poetry, essay, dance, and photography. Submissions are due by June 16. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Boston, MA 02114