CZ-Mail
May 2012

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.

Massachusetts Saltwater Boaters Invited to Participate in 2012 Northeast Recreational Boater Survey

Starting this spring, SeaPlan is partnering with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), the boating industry, the University of Massachusetts, and other state coastal management programs to conduct a 2012 Northeast Recreational Boater Survey as part of its efforts to advance ocean planning throughout the region. The survey will document saltwater recreational boating routes and define boaters' contribution to state and regional economies. In May, 68,000 randomly selected boat owners from Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York will receive an invitation in the mail requesting participation in the survey. Each month, researchers will ask participating boaters to log on to an easy-to-use mapping website where they can draw their last boating trip on an interactive navigation chart and include information about fishing, wildlife viewing, or other activities they did during their trip. Boaters will also be asked how much money they spent on various boating-related activities. Results will directly support coastal and ocean management by bringing more comprehensive and spatially accurate information into planning and decision making. Sponsors, such as the Massachusetts Marine Trade Association and boat manufacturer Grady White, have provided incentive prizes for participants, including a grand prize of $5,000. Boaters that do not receive an invitation in the mail are encouraged to participate in a separate volunteer survey. "SeaPlan conducted a similar survey of Massachusetts boaters in 2010 that gave us vastly improved information for our ocean planning efforts," said CZM Director Bruce Carlisle, who is currently serving as NROC Co-Chair. "I expect the results of the 2012 survey will be equally valuable to regional ocean planning." The survey and volunteer version can be found at www.neboatersurvey.org.

Battle of Chelsea Creek Project Completed

CZM's Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) has completed work on a National Park Service's American Battlefield Protection Program grant to study the American Revolutionary War Battle of Chelsea Creek. While overshadowed by the iconic battles at Concord/Lexington and Bunker Hill, the Battle of Chelsea Creek (which occurred on May 27-28, 1775) was actually the first victory for the "United Colonies." It was also the first naval engagement of the American Revolution and resulted in the capture and burning of the HMS Diana. BUAR Director Victor Mastone and UMass graduate students/BUAR research fellows Craig Brown and Chris Maio reconstructed battle events and the historic landscape to define and interpret the battle and narrowed the search area for the remains of HMS Diana. In addition, a high resolution GIS dataset and Citation Data Model of the temporal and spatial features associated with the battle and the 1775 Boston landscape have been developed and base-level and battlefield maps were produced within the GIS. See the Final Technical Report (PDF, 94 MB) for details. For additional information, contact Vic Mastone at victor.mastone@state.ma.us.

CZM Supports Climate Adaptation Training

From April 24-26, the Coastal Training Program held a three-day Coastal Adaptation Training at the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) for land use planners, coastal managers, public works staff, floodplain managers, hazard mitigation and emergency managers, local officials, municipal board members, and staff from community groups from southeastern Massachusetts. The focus of the training was a climate adaptation toolkit to proactively address adaptation planning priorities in the context of local government. The training was provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center staff and local partners, including CZM's Shoreline and Floodplain Manager, Julia Knisel. More than 25 attendees learned about local climate adaptation efforts from expert practitioners in Massachusetts. Through individual work and group discussions, participants applied the lessons to specific issues and identified and documented the next steps to effectively integrate climate adaption strategies into policies, plans, and programs. The Massachusetts Coastal Training Program was launched in 2002, building on a long history of coastal decision-maker workshops offered on a variety of topics by WBNERR, CZM, and the Woods Hole Sea Grant Program. See the Coastal Training Program website for details.

COASTSWEEP 2012: Calling All Teachers for 25^th Anniversary

COASTSWEEP, the state-wide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM and the Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) at UMass Boston, will celebrate its 25^th anniversary in September and October. Volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each year for this event, which is part of an international campaign organized by The Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Participants all over the world collect trash and other marine debris and record what they find, and this information is used to help reduce future marine debris problems. For the 25^th anniversary, the goal is to clean up every coastal beach in Massachusetts! COASTSWEEP cleanups are great learning opportunity for students of all ages, incorporating data collection, science, environmental education, and a beach day. Now is the perfect time for teachers to schedule their fall cleanups so everything will be in place before the back to school chaos. All the cleanup supplies (bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, etc.) are provided free of charge, and cleanups can be scheduled at your convenience throughout September and October. And while now is the perfect time for teachers to sign up, anyone interested in organizing a cleanup is welcome (and more CZ-Mail reminders will follow for people who can't quite think about fall cleanups before Memorial Day). To get involved, see the COASTSWEEP website or check out COASTSWEEP on Facebook or Twitter.

2011 Marine Invasive Species Data Now Available in MORIS

Data layers representing the distribution of priority marine invaders are now available to view through the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS). In 2011, three priority marine invasive species were added to the monitoring list—including the newest invader, the European shrimp Palaemon elegans—bringing the total number of monitored species to 23. The European shrimp was first discovered in Salem Sound in 2010, and last year the citizen scientists of CZM's Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) recorded its spread to southern Maine. The 2011 data layers were created from observations at 57 monitoring sites by partners and MIMIC volunteers. To view the new data layers, see the MORIS website. Once you launch MORIS, the data layers can be found in the "2011 Monitoring" folder, under the "Marine Invasive Species" folder, in the "Biological Data" folder. Data collected from 2009-2010 are also available. For more information about marine invasive species or to participate in monitoring efforts, see the Aquatic Invasive Species Program website.

CZ-Tip - Meet MORIS for All of Your Coastal Mapping Needs

From the super specific "Anadromous Fish by Man-Made Barriers" to the more general "Public Beaches," the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS to his friends) has a whopping 625 "data layers" that are accessible to anyone with a computer. Best of all, the information (and open-source coding) is free, not subject to copywriting, and can be saved, shared, copied, and modified. Want to see where all the boat mooring fields are in Massachusetts waters? Find the locations of lighthouses? See how many artificial reefs exist off the shore? Well, you are just a hop, click, and a mouse away from learning what lies below and above Massachusetts coastal waters. See CZ-Tip - There's a Map for That on Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System to meet MORIS.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Stormwater System Design - The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program is seeking proposals from engineering or environmental service firms to design practical stormwater management solutions for the Buttermilk Way drainage system in the town of Bourne. The goal of the project is to reduce the discharge of stormwater-related pollutants into Buzzards Bay and ultimately reclassify the shellfish status from closed to open. Up to $20,000 is available for project design. For details, see the Request for Responses (RFR) on the Comm-PASS website. Search for document number "ENV 12 CZM 07." Proposals are due by June 1.

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 $140,041 of federal funds is available. To view the RFR, visit the Comm-PASS website and search for document number "ENV12 CZM 08." For more information about the program and past awards, see the BBNEP funding web page. Proposals are due by June 28.

NROC Communications and Website Work - The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) is seeking proposals for contractor assistance to finalize a web communications strategy, develop a new website, redesign a logo, develop key messages about NROC and focus areas, and create online options to collect stakeholder feedback/comments. NROC, established by New England's Governors in 2005, is a state-federal partnership to implement solutions to New England's most pressing ocean and coastal issues that require a regional response. Along with the six New England states, federal agencies, including NOAA, the Department of Interior (U.S. Geological Survey, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have been full members of NROC since its inception. For details, download the Request for Proposals (PDF, 194 KB). Submit proposals by May 23 to proposal@northeastoceancouncil.org.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking proposals for the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program to fund the protection and restoration of coastal wetlands. Projects can include acquisition of coastal lands or waters, or restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetland ecosystems. Applications are due by June 29.

Conservation Grants - EEA's Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications for the fiscal year 2013 Parkland Acquisition and Renovations for Communities (PARC), Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND), and Conservation Partnership grants. PARC grants assist communities with the acquisition of parkland, as well as construction of new parks and renovation of existing parks. LAND grants provide funds to municipal conservation commissions for the purchase of conservation land. Conservation Partnership grants provide funds to nonprofit organizations for land acquisitions. Applications for PARC and LAND grants are due by July 12. Conservation Partnership applications are due by July 16.

NOAA Special Project and Program Funding - NOAA is seeking proposals for its annual Broad Agency Announcement to fund special projects and programs associated with the NOAA's strategic plan and mission goals. This announcement is a mechanism to encourage research, technical projects, or sponsorships (conferences, newsletters) that are not normally funded through competitive discretionary programs. For more information, see the Grants.gov website. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until September 30.

Reminders - This opportunity listed in the last CZ-Mail is still available:

• §319 Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking proposals for the §319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Competitive Grants Program to fund comprehensive projects that address nonpoint sources of pollution affecting water quality. For details, see the RFR on the Comm-PASS website. Search for document number "BRP 2012-02." For more information about past §319 projects, see MassDEP's website. Proposals are due by June 1.

Products/Publications

Economic Impact of Ecological Restoration Projects - The Department of Fish and Game's Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) has released The Economic Impacts of Ecological Restoration in Massachusetts (PDF, 1.2 MB), a report that details the economic impact of state-supported ecological restoration projects, including dam removals and culvert replacements. The first assessment of its kind in Massachusetts, this report shows that restoration projects generate an average employment demand of 12.5 jobs and $1,750,000 in total economic output from each $1 million expended. For more information, see the EEA press release.

Coastal Condition Report - The National Coastal Condition Report IV is the fourth in a series of environmental assessments of U.S. coastal and Great Lakes waters. A collaboration of the EPA, NOAA, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, coastal states, and the National Estuary Programs, 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.

State Climate Preparedness Evaluations - The National Resources Defense Council has released Ready or Not: An Evaluation of State Climate and Water Preparedness Planning, a report that examines preparedness planning efforts in each state. Across the United States, climate change is affecting water resources in many ways, including risk to water supplies, increased flooding and erosion, and threatened fish and aquatic species. Some states are leading the way in preparing for water-related impacts with integrated and comprehensive preparedness plans that address all relevant water sectors and state agencies. Massachusetts is one of nine states that have achieved the highest rating (see the Ready or Not map).

Managing Risks of Climate Change Report - The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has released Managing the Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation, a special report that finds that the earth's current warming trajectory will likely result in hotter days and more heat waves, storms, and floods, and possibly lead to droughts and more frequent and intense cyclones and tropical storms.

Extreme Weather Survey - Yale University has released Extreme Weather, Climate and Preparedness in the American Mind, which compiles the results of a survey of 1,008 respondents' attitudes about weather, weather forecasts, specific extreme weather events, and global warming. The results seem to point toward a gradual acceptance that climate change will lead to more extreme weather, but not personal preparation for such events. More than 80 percent of respondents said they had personally experienced extreme weather in the past year, 35 percent had been harmed by it, and 52 percent believed it was getting worse. Only 36 percent, however, had a disaster or emergency kit for their family.

Climate Change and Coastal Habitat Restoration - Restore America's Estuaries has released Restore-Adapt-Mitigate: Responding to Climate Change through Coastal Habitat Restoration (PDF, 3.1 MB), a new study that links ecologically important coastal habitat restoration with adaptation and mitigation strategies as a way to reduce the impacts of ongoing global climate change. The report demonstrates that coastal wetland restoration—from restoring salt marshes to protecting mangroves and creating new coastal wetlands—can be an integral part of public and private initiatives to combat climate change.

Gulf of Maine Times - The March 2012 edition of the Gulf of Maine Times features articles on sea turtles in the Gulf, scientist-educator partnerships, and other Gulf of Maine news.

Ebb & Flow - The April 2012 issue of Ebb & Flow, the eNewsletter of the Department of Fish and Game's Division of Ecological Restoration, features a story on the just released economic impact report on ecological restoration projects, provides updates on river and coastal restoration projects, and includes sections on grants, resources, and events.

Marine Ecosystems and Management Information Service - The April/May 2012 edition of Marine Ecosystems and Management, the bimonthly information service on marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) from the University of Washington School of Marine Affairs, features articles on managing tradeoffs in EBM, 13 myths of marine spatial planning, and other notes and news.

Sound Waves - The March/April 2012 issue of Sound Waves, the monthly newsletter from U.S. Geological Survey, features articles on seabird and mammal surveys off the West Coast, bottom shear stress and the movement of seafloor sediments, and other coastal and marine research news.

On Tap - The spring/summer issue of On Tap, the National Environmental Services Center's drinking water and wastewater magazine, features a guide to drinking water and wastewater videos available on YouTube, an overview of an energy savings program for water utilities, and a story on how oil and gas extraction activities can impact drinking water supplies and wastewater treatment.

Websites

Perpetual Ocean - The Perpetual Ocean visualization from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration shows ocean surface currents around the world during the period from June 2005 through December 2007.

Whale Alert Application - Mariners along the East Coast can now download a new iPad and iPhone application that provides warnings when entering areas of high risk of collision with critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The free Whale Alert app provides information about right whale management measures and the latest data about right whale detections, all overlaid on NOAA digital charts. A key feature of Whale Alert links near real-time acoustic buoys that listen for right whale calls to an iPad or iPhone on a ship's bridge, showing the whale's presence to vessels transiting the shipping lanes in and around Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary.

EPA Water Quality Resources - EPA has updated the online version of the Water Quality Standards Handbook to make it more user-friendly and provide links to EPA's most recent policy documents. The "updated information" boxes found throughout each chapter have been updated with new links and documents referenced in the text are now hyperlinked. EPA has also expanded the online Policy & Guidance: Reference Library to include currently relevant water quality standards policy and guidance documents.

Disasters Roundtable Workshop Webinar - On March 21, the National Academies 34^th Disasters Roundtable Workshop, Integrating Disaster Recovery: What Should Long-Term Disaster Recovery Look Like?, was held in Washington, DC. View the webinar from the workshop on the National Academy of Sciences website.

Climate Resilience Tool Training Modules - EPA has developed a series of online training modules for the recently released Climate Resilience Evaluation and Awareness Tool (CREAT). This software tool was developed to assist drinking water and wastewater utility owners and operators in understanding potential climate change threats and in assessing the related risks at their individual utilities.

Public Comment

No Discharge Areas - EPA is seeking comments on two Massachusetts requests to designate coastal waters as vessel No Discharge Areas (NDAs). The proposed Mount Hope Bay NDA would cover the nine-square-mile portion of Mount Hope Bay in Massachusetts—including the Taunton River up to the Center/Elm St. Bridge on the border of Dighton and Berkley, as well as the Lee and Cole Rivers up to their respective Route 6 bridges. The proposed South Cape Cod and Islands NDA will cover an 807-square-mile area of state waters south of Cape Cod and surrounding Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard. Within NDAs, the dumping of all boat sewage, both treated and untreated, is prohibited. For details about each NDA request, including commenting instructions, see the Mount Hope Bay and South Cape Cod and Islands Federal Register Notices. Comments are due by May 21 for Mount Hope Bay and May 29 for the South Cape.

National Water Program Climate Strategy - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on the draft National Water Program 2012 Strategy: Response to Climate Change, a long-range strategy that describes how EPA will address climate change challenges to its mission of protecting human health and the environment. Climate change will pose challenges to various aspects of water resource management, including how to: address risks to drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure; protect quality of surface water, ground water, and drinking water; and build resilience of watersheds, wetlands, and coastal and ocean waters. Comments are due by May 17.

Reminders - The following comment opportunity posted in the last CZ-Mail is still open:

• Boating Infrastructure Grant Program - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments on proposed changes to the regulations governing the administration of the national Boating Infrastructure Grant Program. The proposed rule will clarify the current program requirements, adjust the ranking criteria for competitive awards to correspond to the priorities in the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act, organize questions and answers to reflect the life cycle of the grant, and reword and reformat regulations following federal plain language policy and current rulemaking guidance. For more information and to submit comments, go to www.regulations.gov and search for document number FWS-R9-WSR-2011-0083-0001. Comments are due by May 29.

Job Postings

Ocean Conservation Program Assistant - The Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking applications for a program assistant for its Ocean Conservation program. The assistant will perform a wide range of administrative, policy research, and public outreach work for the Ocean Conservation program and other CLF programs. For details, see the CLF website. Applications are due by May 31.

Calendar

Managing River Herring and Eels - On May 5, the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary will host a talk entitled Managing River Herring and Eels by Brad Chase, Fisheries Biologist at the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries). River herring and American eel once supported important fisheries on Cape Cod and until recently were highly valued for bait, subsistence, and forage. These fish species have declined in recent decades and are now both under federal Endangered Species Act review. Mr. Chase will discuss current MarineFisheries projects on habitat, passage, and population restoration. This will be followed by a field trip to a local restored herring run.

Climate Change Webinar - On May 9, Ohio Sea Grant will sponsor the Framing Climate Change: Recent Research Trends on Communication Strategies and Public Opinion webinar presented by Erik Nisbet from Ohio State University. This webinar will provide an overview of how the public views the issue of climate change, several explanations for these differences in perception, and possible approaches for bridging the gaps through innovative communication strategies.

Water Resources Conference—Call for Abstracts - From November 12-15, the American Water Resources Association will host the 2012 Annual Water Resources Conference in Jacksonville, Florida. Presentations are invited for water resources topics, including agricultural hydrology, climate change, information management and tools, forest hydrology, water and energy, and water quality. Submissions are due by May 14.

ECO-Kids Cape Cod - On May 19, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will host Do You Think Like a Scientist? Students ages 7-11 are invited to come explore, discover, and experience the nature and science of the museum. The session is free, but reservations are required as space is limited.

Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle - On May 20, the Mystic River Watershed Association will hold the 2012 Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle. The day's events include a 5K run/walk race, three paddling races (3, 9, and 12 miles), a bicycle tour, educational booths, children's activities, and more.

Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission Meeting - On May 21, the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission will meet at 1:00 p.m. 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.

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 schedule is: May 22, Bag It; June 19, A Sense of Wonder; and July 24, Ocean Frontiers. All screenings are open to the public and will be held in the Murphy Bunker at the Marine Science Center, 430 Nahant Road, Nahant. Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m. and the program will begin at 7:00 p.m.

BUAR Public Meeting - On May 31 at 1:30 p.m., CZM's Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) will hold its bi-monthly public meeting at CZM's Boston Office in the Large Conference Room. The preliminary agenda includes discussion/approval of minutes for the March 29 meeting, renewal of five permits, and discussion of permittee, outreach, and research activities. For more information, contact BUAR Director, Victor Mastone, at victor.mastone@state.ma.us.

Environmental Business Council Award Nominations - On June 6, the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) will hold the 22^nd 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.

Fish Passage Conference - From June 5-7, the National Conference on Engineering & Ecohydrology for Fish Passage will be held at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Fish Passage 2012 is a national forum for researchers and practitioners to exchange findings and experiences on fish passage issues. This is a three-day conference with concurrent sessions in engineering, biology, management, and social issues.

World Oceans Day - World Oceans Day is June 8 and activities celebrating oceans and coasts are held across the world throughout the month of June. The 2012 theme is Youth: The Next Wave for Change. See the World Oceans Day website to view or submit events.

AWRA Summer Conferences - In June, the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) will hold two conferences in Denver, Colorado, for scientists, practitioners, policy makers, managers, teachers, students, community advocates, and other water resources professionals. From June 25-27, Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Water Resources II: Research, Engineering, and Community Action will be held, followed by Riparian Ecosystems IV: Advancing Science, Economics, and Policy from June 27-29.

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.

Wednesday Walks - On Wednesdays through June, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will hold a series of walks with naturalist Connie Boyce. For details, see the museum calendar.

Spring Walks in Harwich - The Harwich Conservation Trust has posted its schedule of spring walks. All walks are free and open to the public. See the Trust's website.

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

• National Coastal Conference—Call for Abstracts - From October 9-12, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association will hold its National Coastal Conference in San Diego, California. The theme of the 2012 conference is Rising to the Challenge, recognizing the increase in challenges to protect and maintain coastal areas. See the Call for Abstracts (PDF, 52 KB), which are due by May 4.
• Whale Workshop for Teachers - From May 5-6, the New Bedford Whaling Museum in partnership with the Museum Institute for Teaching Science will hold Schooling with Whales, a professional development workshop for teachers in grades 3-6. This 10-hour training will introduce teachers to whale-related topics that can be used to teach concepts prescribed by state core science, mathematics, and literacy frameworks. For more information and to register, contact Robert Rocha at rrocha@whalingmuseum.org.
• Statewide Hurricane Conference - On May 9, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will hold a Statewide Hurricane Conference at the Devens Commons Center in Devens. This full-day conference will present various hurricane preparedness topics in preparation for the 2012 hurricane season and will feature break-out workshops, presentations, and panel discussions. Guest speakers are expected from the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, FEMA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Stay tuned to the MEMA website for details and registration information.
• Pollution and Erosion Tool Training - On May 10, NOAA's Coastal Services Center will hold an online training on the Nonpoint-Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool, a tool for Arc-GIS that provides projections and maps of surface water runoff volumes, pollutant loads, pollutant concentrations, and total sediment loads.
• Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference - From May 15-16, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission will hold the 23^rd annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This conference is the premier forum in the Northeast for sharing information and improving communication on nonpoint source pollution issues and projects.
• Marine Spatial Planning Symposium - On May 16, the 11^th annual Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium, International Marine Spatial Planning: Sharing Practical Solutions will be held in Providence, Rhode Island. This all-day event will bring together international marine spatial planning (MSP) experts to discuss more mature MSP initiatives and the implications of different approaches.
• Flood Management Conference—Call for Abstracts - From September 4-7, the Flood Management Association with hold its 2012 Annual Conference in Sacramento, California. Join floodplain management experts and policy makers to address the changing federal stormwater and environmental standards. See the Call for Abstracts (PDF, 131 KB), which are due by May 18.
• Floodplain Management Conference - From May 20-25, the Association of State Floodplain Managers will hold the 36^th annual Flood Conference, Mission Mitigation, in San Antonio, Texas. Join 1,200 industry experts at plenary and concurrent sessions and share the state-of-the-art in techniques, programs, and resources to accomplish flood mitigation, watershed management, and other community goals.
• Oceans, Climate, and Security Conference - From May 21-23, the Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate, and Security at the University of Massachusetts Boston will host the Global Conference on Oceans, Climate, and Security, which will examine the conditions that are likely to be produced by climate change, how these conditions will affect coastal and ocean ecosystems and communities, and how they may affect human and national security interests.
• Wetland Creation Workshop - From May 22-24, Mass Audubon's Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary will hold a Hands-On Wetland Creation Workshop for individuals interested in learning how to use practical, low cost techniques for building wetlands for wildlife.
• Horseshoe Crab Ecology Workshop - From June 1-3, the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary will host a Green Eggs & Sand Teacher Workshop, a session on horseshoe crab ecology targeted to middle and high school teachers.
• Coastal Society Conference - From June 3-6, the Coastal Society's 23^rd Biennial International Conference, Our Coasts, Our Heritage: Ecosystem Services for the Common Good, will be held in Miami, Florida. For information, see the Coastal Society Conference website.
• Boating Safety Course - Through June, the Massachusetts Environmental Police offer Boat Massachusetts, a free, state and nationally approved boating safety course for boaters age 12 and older, which concentrates on the equipment and operating guidelines needed to enjoy boating in a safe and responsible way. All graduates ages 12-15 will receive a safety certificate that allows operation of a motorboat without adult supervision, as required by state law. All graduates ages 16-17 will also be allowed to operate a personal watercraft (jet ski, wave runner, etc.).

Other Items of Interest

Rachel Carson Contest - EPA is calling for submissions to the sixth 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 five categories—poetry, essay, dance, photography, and mixed media. Submissions are due by June 1.

Salem Sound Photo Contest - Salem Sound Coastwatch is seeking entries for the Salem Sound - A Sense of Place photo contest. Entries to this year-long contest should capture the beauty, essence, nature, and uses of the Salem Sound and its watershed communities of Beverly, Danvers, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Peabody, and Salem in each of the four seasons. The contest runs until March 1, 2013.

Cape Cod Field Schools - From May through November, Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary is offering a variety of 2-, 3-, and 4-day field courses for adults that focus on the unique coastal environment and wildlife of Cape Cod. Cape Cod Field Schools emphasize active, outdoor "in-the-field" experiences and are taught by professional naturalists and scientists.

Summer Science School - In July and August, the Waquoit Bay Reserve Foundation sponsors a Science School for students entering grades 2-9 and TIDAL Quest, a week-long, field-based research program for high school students. Each session is one week and children are permitted to attend one session. For details, see the program brochure (PDF, 36 KB).

Wild Arts and Ecology - This summer, Mass Audubon's Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable will present Wild Arts and Ecology, a morning program where children explore the sanctuary's110 acres with tidal flats, butterfly meadows, ponds and woodlands, and Barnstable Harbor. Participants will enjoy guided kayak trips, marine cruises, lectures, and bird, butterfly, horseshoe crab, tidal flat, and sheep walks. For more information, contact Jodie at (508) 362-7475.

Coastal Ocean Science Academy - The Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant is accepting applications for the 2012 Coastal Ocean Science Academy, a two-week summer experience that is open to students entering grades 9-12. Participants experience firsthand diverse New England coastal habitats and marine resources, engaging in hands-on research and inquiry activities.