CZ-Mail - June 2025

The monthly email newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).

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, 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 (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to [e-mail]. Also, feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have any suggestions for future editions or would like to make a change to your subscription, email your request to [e-mail]. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Twitter/X.

All links on this web page were current and working on the date of publication.

Highlights

Draft ResilientCoasts Plan Available for Public Comment - On May 15, CZM released the ResilientCoasts Draft Plan for public review and comment. This plan provides a comprehensive statewide framework for coastal resilience in Massachusetts over the next 50 years, outlining guidance and strategies that address near- and long-term vulnerability to coastal hazards like sea level rise, storm surge, and erosion. To download copies of the Executive Summary or full draft plan, see Draft Plan Available for Public Comment on the ResilientCoasts Initiative web page. Comments are due by June 12.

CZM is hosting the following upcoming in-person engagement opportunities to discuss the ResilientCoasts Draft Plan. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Please use the following links to register:

• June 2 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Bentley Academy Innovation School in Salem
• June 4 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribal Meetinghouse in Plymouth

See the links below for news coverage. (Articles may only be available for a limited time.)

• Mass. unveils draft of plan to protect coastline - NBC10 Boston, 5/20/25
• Rising seas whip up talk of property buyouts - WBUR, 5/19/25, Boston Globe, 5/20/25

Coastal Resilience Grants - Request for Responses Released - CZM has released the Request for Responses (RFR) for the Coastal Resilience Grant Program to fund innovative and transferable local and regional projects that address coastal flooding, erosion, and sea level rise impacts. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, CZM will provide funding and technical assistance to coastal communities, certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (including qualifying tribal entities), and federally recognized Tribes. Eligible project types include evaluating vulnerabilities and risks, public outreach, retrofitting and relocating vulnerable public facilities and infrastructure, shoreline restoration, and proactive planning projects. Applicants may request up to $2 million in funding per project. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026—or by June 30, 2027 (FY 2027) for projects selected for an extended contract, depending on the proposal and Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) funding decisions. See the RFR in COMMBUYS or the new EEA Grants Management System (GMS) for eligibility requirements, project categories, and evaluation criteria. Proposals are due by 4:00 p.m. on June 18. (Please note all CZM grant programs are now part of EEA’s new Grants Management System. Grant applicants must create a username and password and have their profile validated, which could take several days to complete, to apply for these grants.) Answers to all questions posed during the RFR question and answer period, which closed on May 21, are now posted on the COMMBUYS website.

Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - Request for Responses Released - CZM has released the RFR for the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality (CHWQ) Grants, which provide financial resources for projects that assess and treat stormwater pollution and support comprehensive habitat restoration planning. Municipalities within the Massachusetts coastal watershed are eligible to apply, along with federally recognized Tribes, certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, regional planning agencies, and stormwater collaboratives in partnership with eligible municipalities. Eligible project activities include:

1. Efforts to assess, identify, and characterize nonpoint source (NPS) pollution impacts from stormwater runoff to coastal waterbodies.
2. Design and construction of stormwater structural Best Management Practices (BMPs) (priority is given to practices that address contaminants of concern in coastal waterbodies).
3. Capacity-building activities—including trainings for municipal staff, bylaw development, and case studies—that support future implementation of green stormwater infrastructure (methods that replicate natural processes to trap and filter stormwater prior to reaching local waterbodies).
4. Development of habitat restoration plans, including data collection and synthesis, natural resource assessments, and restoration prioritization work.
5. Advancement of priority land acquisition planning activities for the purposes of restoration, buffer protection, and/or future marsh migration.
6. Pre-implementation data collection and engineering for infrastructure-focused habitat restoration activities.

See COMMBUYS and the Grants Management System for details and proposal instructions and to download the RFR and attachments. All applications must be submitted through the new EEA Grants Management System. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on June 26. (Please note all CZM grant programs are now part of EEA’s new Grants Management System. Grant applicants must create a username and password and have their profile validated, which could take several days to complete, to apply for these grants.) Answers to all questions posed during the RFR question and answer period, which closed on May 29, are now posted on the COMMBUYS website.

Passive Sediment Augmentation for Salt Marshes - Phase II Assessment Underway - CZM has partnered with the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and contracted with WSP USA Solutions, Inc.—along with Sustainable Coastal Solutions, Inc., and Geyer & Ralston Consulting—to conduct data collection, sediment transport model refinement, permit analysis, and a dredge operational feasibility analysis to support the design of a passive sediment augmentation (PSA) scientific test project at Waquoit Bay. The PSA method is a form of beneficial reuse where dredged sediments of suitable composition are redistributed to the marsh by wind or tidal-driven action from a nearshore placement site. Phase I of the project was an initial feasibility study. Passive Sediment Augmentation (PSA) - Phase I: Feasibility Study, Modeling, and Assessment Waquoit Bay (Falmouth and Mashpee), Massachusetts (PDF, 11 MB), the final report from that study, was published in October 2024. The scope of Phase II includes collection of necessary data to expand on Phase I to support model refinement and test project design and preliminary designs for a PSA pilot test project in the Waquoit Bay estuarine system. For details, contact CZM’s Sean Duffey at [e-mail].

Seeking Local Cleanup Coordinators for COASTSWEEP 2025 - COASTSWEEP is coming! The annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM will begin in late August—and now is the time to sign up to be a local cleanup coordinator for your favorite beach, marsh, dive site, and riverbank. Volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out in large numbers each year for this event, which is part of an international campaign organized by Ocean Conservancy in Washington, DC. Participants all over the world collect trash and other marine debris and record what they find. This information is then used to help reduce future marine debris problems. Cleanups can be scheduled from late August through November. To get involved as a cleanup coordinator or to volunteer at a cleanup, see the COASTSWEEP website.

Hurricane Season Is Here - June 1 marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an above-normal year with 13-19 named storms (see the NOAA May 22 press release). Of those storms, 6-10 are predicted to become hurricanes, 3-5 of which are expected to be major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher (Category 3-5). The NOAA National Hurricane Center website provides regularly updated hurricane information, including a 7-day graphical tropical weather outlook and peak storm surge maps on the Active Tropical Cyclones page. (See the NOAA National Weather Service Hurricane and Tropical Storm Watches, Warnings, Advisories and Outlooks web page for information on the difference between watches and warnings for hurricanes and tropical storms.) Now is the time to get prepared and stay prepared for these storms. CZM’s Hurricane Preparedness Kit provides information on protecting yourself and your home, boat, and more, and CZ-Tip - The Complete Guide to Online Hurricane Tracking for Massachusetts covers how to monitor storms heading this way. The Hurricane Safety Tips page from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) also provides excellent Massachusetts-specific resources, including links to Be Informed and Receive Emergency Alerts with details on how to access multiple methods of emergency alerts and Hurricane Evacuation Zones, which provides maps and other information to help determine if you live or work in an evacuation zone and what to do when evacuating.

CZM Staff and People

Coastal Resilience Grant Specialist - In May, India Mackinson, CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grant Specialist, left CZM to become a Grants Manager for the Greater Boston Climate Resilience Jobs Alliance. India was a member of CZM’s StormSmart Coasts Team for nearly two years, helping to administer the Coastal Resilience Grant Program and providing technical assistance to coastal communities and other partners. After relocating from North Carolina where she had experience working in municipal government, India gained familiarity with CZM’s five coastal regions and helped identify opportunities to advance environmental justice in areas vulnerable to flooding and erosion. We wish India well with the City of Boston and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate on coastal resilience.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - CZM is seeking proposals for Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants. Eligible project activities include the assessment and remediation of stormwater pollution, comprehensive habitat restoration planning, building capacity of municipalities to implement green stormwater infrastructure, and advanced planning to support land acquisition. To view the RFR, see the COMMBUYS website or the new EEA Grants Management System. (To apply for these grants, applicants must create a username and password and have their profile validated in EEA’s new Grants Management System, which could take several days to complete.) For more details, see Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants - Request for Responses Released above.

Coastal Resilience Grant Program - CZM is seeking proposals for Coastal Resilience Grants to advance local and regional efforts to address coastal flooding, erosion, and sea level rise. To view the RFR, see COMMBUYS or the new EEA Grants Management System. (To apply for these grants, applicants must create a username and password and have their profile validated in EEA’s new Grants Management System, which could take several days to complete.) For additional details, see Coastal Resilience Grants - Request for Responses Released above.

Massachusetts Environmental Trust Grants - The Massachusetts Environmental Trust is seeking proposals for the FY 2025/2026 Grant Program, which funds environmental protection and conservation projects focused on aquatic habitat restoration, marine species conservation, advocacy, and education. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, municipalities, and regional planning agencies with typical awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. For more information and to view the RFR, see the COMMBUYS website or the new EEA Grants Management System. Proposals are due by June 30.

Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is seeking proposals for the 2025 Northeast Forests and Rivers Fund to restore and sustain healthy rivers, forests, and grasslands that provide habitat for diverse fish and wildlife populations. Funding is available for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions for grants from $75,000 to $300,000. Proposals are due by June 26.

Online Tools and Resources

Sea Level Report Cards - The William & Mary Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science have released 2024 sea level “report cards”, which provide updated analyses of sea level trends and projections for 36 coastal communities in the United States, including Boston. Using 55 years of historical data, the report cards analyze rates of sea level rise, acceleration, and 2050 water level forecasts at each location. View the results in this interactive dashboard.

Products/Publications

Economic Benefits of Coastal Habitat Restoration Report - Restore America’s Estuaries has released Jobs and Dollars: Big Returns from Coastal Habitat Restoration (PDF, 20 MB), a report on the critical role coastal and estuarine habitat restoration plays in supporting the U.S. economy. The report provides details on the economic benefits of healthy estuaries for job creation, storm damage mitigation, outdoor recreation, and community protection.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The May 2025 Newspaper (PDF, 11 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) includes stories on proposed federal rule changes on trap vent and minimum lobster size, a MLA survey on challenges affecting the American lobster fishery, ocean-based approaches to removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, MLA updates, and other lobster news.

NOAA HabitatNews - The May 2025 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes items on the benefits from a creek restoration in Florida, restoration of the Detroit River after years of industrial use, deep sea restoration progress after the 2010 Deep Horizon spill, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Jobs/Internships

Grants Program Manager - The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance is seeking a part-time Grants Program Manager to perform administrative responsibilities associated with the Alliance’s grant-funded projects and help with a new technical assistance program to work with communities on the removal of small dams. For details, see the job posting.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Capitol Hill Ocean Week - June 2-5, conference on issues that impact the oceans hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to be held in Washington, DC.

2025 Annual MAPC Meeting - June 4, annual meeting of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) with the theme “Canada and New England: An Economic Relationship that Impacts Every Community” to be held in Braintree.

International Erosion Control Conference—Call for Abstracts - March 1-4, 2026, conference and exposition sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association on erosion, sediment control, and stormwater to be held in Fort Worth, Texas. Abstracts are due by June 6.

South Shore Striper Tournament - June 6-8, annual event with cash prizes to support the North and South Rivers Watershed Association’s fisheries restoration efforts.

Neponset River Watershed Association Annual Meeting - June 10, annual meeting featuring guest speaker Dr. Atyia Martin, former Chief Resilience officer for Boston, to be held in Norwood.

How Communities Are Fast-Tracking Flood Readiness - June 11, webinar for flood preparedness, response, and recovery professionals.

Spectacle on Spectacle - June 12, annual event to support Boston Harbor Now with the theme “Power of Now”—focusing on climate action, environmental justice, and resilient community spaces—to be held on Spectacle Island.

Westport River Day - June 21, annual event hosted by the Westport River Watershed Alliance featuring live music and cultural performances, children’s activities, environmental education booths, local food, and more.

PCBs 101, Part Three: Cleanup and Disposal - June 24, third in a series of Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) webinars for PCB management professionals.

Moving Marshes: Tidal Migration Science and Tools - June 25, webinar hosted by William & Mary Batten School of Coastal and Marine Sciences and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Accelerating the Pace of Wetlands Restoration - June 26, webinar from the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network.

Nonpoint Source Management Forum - June 26, annual online event from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to provide information on the 2025-2029 Massachusetts Nonpoint Source Management Plan, the NPS Capacity Building Tool, and updates to the Massachusetts Watershed-Based Plan Tool.

Great River Race - July 6, river paddling race to support the North and South Rivers Watershed Association.

“Playing Offense” in the Intertidal Zone - July 31, EBC Ocean and Coastal Resources webinar featuring experts on natural and engineered solutions to protect vulnerable shorelines.

2025 FMA Conference - September 2-5, annual conference of the Floodplain Management Association (FMA) with the theme “Celebrating 40 Years of Safer and More Resilient Floodplains” to be held in Sacramento, California.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

APCC Events - Free virtual events on landscaping, gardening, and more from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC). Recordings of previous webinars are available.

Barnstable Land Trust Events - Programs for children and adults across Barnstable.

Boat Safety Course - Free, in-person course from the Massachusetts Environmental Police held in Commonwealth communities. This course will meet the mandatory boater education for all motorized vessel operators that will be required in Massachusetts beginning April 1, 2026.

Boston Harbor Islands Events - Upcoming events and activities in the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.

Boston Harbor Now Events - Events throughout the Boston Harbor area.

Buzzards Bay Events - Regional events compiled by the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

Cape Cod Bird Club Walks and Activities - Free birdwatching field trips across Cape Cod.

Cape Cod Field Schools - Multi-day field courses offered by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

Cape Cod Maritime Museum Events - Upcoming events and lectures for all ages at the museum in Hyannis. Links to recordings of past lectures are also posted.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Programs - A calendar of events at the museum in Brewster.

Center for Coastal Studies Events - Events across the Cape Cod region.

Charles River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Charles River Watershed Association.

Clean Water Events in Barnstable - Activities and events from the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, including Clean Water Wednesdays with monthly educational lectures on water quality issues held at Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis.

Climate Adaptation Webinars - Webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with links to Archived Webinars.

Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action - Monthly webinars from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on national policy action on climate change. Recordings of past webinars are also available.

Conservation Commission Education - Workshops, webinars, and trainings scheduled across Massachusetts and posted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC). See the MACC Complete Education Catalog and Events Calendar.

Dam Busters 201 Webinars Series - Lunchtime webinars on dam safety, dam removal financing, and community engagement in Massachusetts sponsored by the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance, Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration, and Charles River Watershed Association, with links to past webinars and related material.

Ecological Landscaping Events - Webinars, classes, and events from the Ecological Landscape Alliance.

Friends of Herring River Events - Upcoming Herring River watershed events in Truro and Wellfleet.

Healthy and Resilient Communities Research Webinar Series - Periodic community resilience webinars from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for local decision makers, with links to Past Webinar Recordings.

Ipswich River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Ipswich River Watershed Association.

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful Events - Talks and volunteer opportunities across the Commonwealth on litter prevention and cleanup, waste reduction and recycling, beautification and community greening, and environmental education. See the Great Massachusetts Cleanup page for community-wide litter cleanups and park maintenance opportunities.

Lloyd Center for the Environment Activities - Birding and nature walks and other activities for all ages at the Lloyd Center in Dartmouth.

Marion Natural History Museum Programs - Community and summer programs at the museum in Marion.

Mass Audubon Program Catalog - Programs for children and adults hosted at the following Mass Audubon coastal locations:

• Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
• Joppa Flats Education Center
• Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary
• North River Wildlife Sanctuary
• Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Mystic River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Mystic River Watershed Association.

Nantucket Conservation Foundation Events - Activities and events across Nantucket.

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinars - Webinars hosted by the sanctuary system. See Past Webinar Recordings for descriptions of and links to previous webinars.

Native Plant Trust Events - Classes, field studies, and webinars across Massachusetts.

Neponset River Watershed Events - Events throughout the watershed compiled by the Neponset River Watershed Association.

New England Aquarium Events - Upcoming events, lectures, and programs at the New England Aquarium. Recordings of past lectures are available on the Aquarium Lecture Series page.

NEWMOA Events - Upcoming webinars and events from the Northeast Waste Management Officials Association (NEWMOA). Past presentations are also available.

NOAA Coastal Training and Learning Resources - A range of training opportunities from NOAA’s Digital Coast. Also see the Training Catalog for links to on-demand resources.

NOAA Planet Stewards Events - Webinars, workshops, and book club sessions from the NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project. See the Webinar Archives for links to selected presentations.

NOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners. Past seminars are catalogued and available.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Technical Exchange Webinars - Periodic webinars from EPA on a variety of nonpoint source pollution topics, with links to previous webinars.

North and South Rivers Watershed Association Events - Event listings on the South Shore.

Northeast Monthly Climate Updates - Free webinars from the Northeast Regional Climate Center to address timely weather and climate concerns. Recordings of previous webinars are also available, along with PDF copies of presentation materials.

OCTO Webinars - Periodic webinars on ocean topics from Open Communications for the Ocean (OCTO), with links to past webinars.

Salem Sound Coastwatch Events - Activities and events posted in the Salem Sound region, including the monthly Underwater in Salem Sound 2025 Lecture Series.

Soak Up the Rain New England Webinar Series - Periodic webinars from EPA that highlight innovative ways to address stormwater, with links to Past Webcasts.

Sound in the Sea Webinars - Webinars on underwater sound hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography. See the Webinar Archives for links to past presentations.

Stone Living Lab Events - Free climate-focused events around Boston Harbor from the Stone Living Lab at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston.

Trustees Activities - Programs and activities at The Trustees of Reservations properties across the Commonwealth.

Walks, Talks, & Events in Orleans - Guided walks, programs, and talks from the Orleans Conservation Trust.

Walks & Events in Harwich - Birding and nature walks from the Harwich Conservation Trust.

Waquoit Bay Reserve Programs - Activities for kids and adults from the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Westport River Watershed Alliance Events - Events presented by the Westport River Watershed Alliance.

Other Items of Interest

Coastal and Marine Systems Survey - Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst are conducting the study, “Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Needs in U.S. Northeast Coastal and Marine Systems,” to better understand these science needs in coastal and marine systems across the Northeastern United States and Eastern Canada. This survey is designed for natural resource managers, ecological practitioners, researchers, and community members in the region (ages 18 and older). For more information and to participate, please see the online survey consent form.

Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Law and Policy Student Writing Competition - The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School and New York Sea Grant are seeking entries from law students for a writing competition on legal and policy issues associated with marine carbon dioxide removal. The competition is being held in connection with a one-day symposium on the topic, “Navigating Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal: From Science to Regulation,” which will be co-hosted by the Sabin Center and New York Sea Grant in September. The winning article will be published in a special issue of the Sea Grant Law & Policy Journal, and the winning author will be invited to attend the symposium in New York to present their work. The top two entries will each receive a cash prize of $500. For details, see the Sabin Center website. Entries are due by June 15.

Westport River Watershed Alliance Calendar Photo Contest - The Westport River Watershed Alliance is holding a Photo Contest for its 2026 calendar. To enter, submit landscape and nature photos that show the unique beauty and diversity of the river, streams, wildlife, and plants of the Westport River watershed in all four seasons. Please email images (limit of five per person) with the subject “26 Calendar” to Roberta at [e-mail] by July 1.