CZ-Mail - September 2022

The monthly electronic 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, 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, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to [e-mail]. 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 [e-mail]. For periodic updates from CZM between CZ-Mail editions, please follow us on Twitter.

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

Highlights

Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grant Awards Announced - On August 2, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Beth Card announced $2,089,802 in grant funding at Prince Cove Marina in Barnstable, along with CZM Director Lisa Berry Engler, Barnstable Town Council President Matthew Levesque, awardees, and partners. CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants support efforts to address polluted stormwater runoff to further protect coastal water quality and habitat, as well as to develop comprehensive coastal habitat restoration plans. One priority of the grant program is to support implementation of stormwater green infrastructure, which uses approaches that replicate natural processes to filter and treat pollutants in runoff. To highlight local successes, the announcement event highlighted the stormwater green infrastructure installed at Prince Cove by the Town of Barnstable, in partnership with the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), Barnstable Land Trust, and Horsley-Witten Group, with partial support from previous CZM funding. The eight funded projects—which are matched by $822,242 from municipal sources, demonstrating a strong local commitment to coastal water quality and habitat—will help keep beaches and shellfish harvesting areas open and advance coastal habitat restoration planning:

• Association to Preserve Cape Cod - $95,015 to design green stormwater infrastructure at three public boat ramp sites across Cape Cod. This project builds on initial assessment and design work to address pollution in stormwater runoff at public boat ramps in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game Office of Fishing and Boating Access, Horsley Witten Group, and the towns of Bourne, Brewster, Dennis, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, and Yarmouth.
• Barnstable - $27,000 to complete final designs to replace an undersized culvert at Ocean Street, which is currently restricting tidal flow and impacting water quality in the Snows Creek estuary. This project builds off data collection and additional water quality improvement efforts by the town and will improve habitat for fish, birds, and shellfish in the estuary.
• Boston Water and Sewer Commission - $800,000 to construct a new stormwater filtration system to treat stormwater runoff, reducing total suspended solids and nutrients, and improving water quality in Canterbury Brook, a tributary to the Charles River. The Commission will monitor the effectiveness of the system in partnership with the City of Boston, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
• Fairhaven - $275,000 to construct two bioretention basins at Jerusalem Road to treat nutrients and bacteria in stormwater runoff before entering the Outer New Bedford Harbor. This green stormwater infrastructure will improve water quality in the Harbor, supporting shellfish harvesting opportunities.
• Kingston - $665,000 to implement stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) along Elm Street and develop a habitat restoration plan for the Jones River estuary. This project builds on previous work funded by CZM to improve coastal habitat and water quality in the Jones River and Kingston Bay.
• Melrose - $100,868 to construct 15 stormwater street trenches, a type of small-scale green stormwater infrastructure that can be installed in existing catch basins, to treat nutrients in stormwater runoff, in partnership with the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA). This project builds on an effort funded by CZM and others to install trenches region-wide to improve water quality in the Mystic River Watershed.
• Quincy - $44,662 to examine the Rock Island Cove salt marsh complex and plan for restoration. The assessment will include desktop analysis, field evaluations, and outreach to key stakeholders and land managers to identify restoration opportunities and develop a comprehensive restoration plan for the area.
• Yarmouth - $82,257 to complete a comprehensive stormwater assessment to identify and prioritize stormwater treatment sites in partnership with APCC. The assessment will result in conceptual designs for green stormwater infrastructure and complements previous stormwater remediation work funded by CZM in the town.

For more information, see the EEA Press Release.

Divers, Drones, and Sound Beams: CZM and MassBays Finish Field Work for Eelgrass Mapping Project - The team from Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), CZM, and partner organizations has been busy this summer working to assess different methods of mapping eelgrass, a marine meadow-forming plant that provides critical fisheries habitat, improves water quality, stores carbon, and protects the shoreline from storms. To properly manage and protect eelgrass, accurate mapping information is needed to track the locations and sizes of meadows. Several remote sensing methods—such as satellites, airplanes, drones, and underwater side scan sonar—provide imagery that can be analyzed for eelgrass, but little is known about the accuracy and limitations of maps generated from these sources. This 18-month study, funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Project of Special Merit grant program, is comparing different remote sensing methods against SCUBA diver surveys to determine how well each method detects the eelgrass meadow’s edge and at what eelgrass densities each method performs best. The field surveys completed by the project team from June to July included 15 diver surveys, underwater photo ground truthing at nearly 500 stations, five drone flights, one airplane flight, and five side scan sonar surveys at eelgrass meadows in Gloucester, Beverly, Swampscott, Nahant, and Cohasset. Field data will now undergo a rigorous quality assurance process prior to analysis and reporting. For detailed descriptions, interactive maps, photographs, videos, and slideshow features of the eelgrass mapping project, checkout the new Comparison of Eelgrass Mapping Methods Story Map, and for additional information on the project, see the MassBays project web page.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program Awards Over $32 Million in Grants - On August 30, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $32.8 million in grants to cities and towns through the EEA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program. This program provides communities with funding and technical support to identify climate hazards, develop strategies to improve resilience, and implement priority actions to adapt to climate change. These grant awards include 18 grants to 23 coastal communities for a total of more than $7.1 million invested in coastal resilience efforts. Also, with the award of a planning grant to the Town of Hanover, all 78 coastal communities in the Commonwealth are now participating in the MVP Program. CZM continues to support EEA’s administration of the MVP Program and provide technical assistance to community planning and implementation projects. For more information, including descriptions of grants awarded to coastal communities, see the EEA Press Release.

State Announces Continuation of Drought Conditions in Massachusetts - In late August, EEA Secretary Beth Card, acting on a recommendation of the state’s Drought Management Task Force, declared that drought conditions continue in all the state’s seven drought regions. A Level 3-Critical Drought was declared in the Northeast, Central, Connecticut River Valley, Southeast, and Cape Cod Regions, and a Level 2-Significant Drought for the Islands and Western Regions. The drought has caused severe impacts on habitat and rivers, such as diminished streams and dry streambeds, ponding in streams, decreased stream water quality, and increased algal growth. It is also impacting the agriculture and water supply sectors, while increasing the risk of wildland fires. The state continues to conduct detailed monitoring of drought conditions, is in close coordination with state and federal agencies, and is providing technical outreach and assistance to affected municipalities. Importantly, it is critical that everyone administers water conservation practices as outlined by their local water supplier and the state, and takes extra precautions when using BBQ grills, campfires, and other open flames when outside to ensure water resources are available for essential needs, such as drinking water and fire protection. For more information and water conservation tips, see the EEA Drought Management Task Force web page and the state’s current drought status. In addition, the Massachusetts Water Conservation Toolkit includes detailed water conservation resources, and the CZ-Tip - Save Water has information on water conservation in your home, yard, and business.

Seeking Local Cleanup Coordinators and Volunteers for COASTSWEEP 2022 - COASTSWEEP, the annual statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM, kicks off this month—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 the 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 through early November. In addition to organizing a cleanup, volunteers can help at a scheduled public cleanup. To get involved, see the COASTSWEEP website. The list of available cleanups is updated every week. To receive reminders of when new cleanup lists are posted, please send a blank email (completely blank, with no signature line) to [e-mail].

CZM Offices Remain Closed - All CZM offices are currently closed for in-person services, however, CZM staff are available to assist with coastal management issues. See Contact CZM for details.

CZM Job Posting

Offshore Project Review Specialist - CZM is seeking an Offshore Project Review Specialist to assist the CZM team with its federal consistency review responsibilities and environmental impact analysis of permits and supporting documents related to offshore development, including offshore wind, cables, pipelines, and aquaculture. To learn more about this new position and to apply, see the full posting. For clarifying questions, please contact [e-mail]. And to receive notification of CZM job postings between CZ-Mail editions, follow us on Twitter.

CZM Staff and People

Marine GIS/Mapping Specialist - In August, CZM welcomed Brooke C. Hodge as the new Marine GIS/Mapping Specialist, replacing Samantha Coccia-Schillo, who will leave CZM later this month. Before joining CZM, Brooke was an Associate Scientist/GIS Specialist at the New England Aquarium, where she spent 12 years involved in marine conservation focusing on the risks and impacts of human activities on the marine environment and its inhabitants, marine mammals, and the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale. She also investigated ocean use conflicts and ecosystem service trade-off analyses informing marine spatial planning—work that helped inform the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. Many scientific papers have benefited from Brooke’s knowledge and hard work. She has a B.S. in Environmental Policy and Planning from Miami University and an M.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, where she developed an interest in GIS, resulting in a Certificate in Geographic Information Sciences. In addition to her work at the Aquarium, she has also taught various GIS courses at Boston University and UMass Boston. Brooke brings direct marine spatial expertise experience to her new role as CZM’s Marine GIS/Mapping Specialist, along with her teamwork, organizations, and cartographic skills. Welcome aboard Brooke!

CZM Welcomes New NOAA Coastal Management Fellow - In August, CZM also welcomed Alexis (Lexie) Neffinger as the 10^th Coastal Management Fellow from the NOAA Office for Coastal Management. Nominated by the Texas Sea Grant College Program, Lexie was matched with CZM through a rigorous selection and interview process. During her two-year fellowship, Lexie will support CZM’s StormSmart Coasts Team and Coastal Resilience Grant Program with environmental justice community engagement on shoreline restoration opportunities for increased coastal resilience and other benefits. She has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Fordham University and recently completed a Master of Science in Coastal and Marine System Science from Texas A&M University. Her master’s thesis research informed the development of a standardized tool to assess biological communities in tidal streams for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Lexie also supported the University’s Coastal Conservation and Restoration Ecology Lab with research and outreach concerning oyster reef restoration in embayments along the Texas coast. She is interested in science communication and community-driven resource management focused on nature-based shoreline resilience. CZM is thrilled to have Lexie on board for this important project. For more details on the Coastal Management Fellowship, see the NOAA Press Release.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Buzzards Bay Municipal Mini-Grant Program - The Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program is seeking proposals for the Buzzards Bay Watershed Municipal Mini-Grant Program, with $211,605 in funding available. Eligible projects must implement recommendations in the Buzzards Bay Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and can include stormwater remediation designs for discharges affecting surface waters, wetland/open space/habitat acquisition, migratory fish passage restoration, and construction of boat pumpout facilities. A 33 percent match of requested funding is required, and only municipalities within the Buzzards Bay watershed are eligible. For details and required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due by September 27 at 4:00 p.m.

MS4 Municipal Assistance Grant Program - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking proposals from groups of cities and towns, or from Regional Planning Commissions on behalf of these groups, for innovative and collaborative projects that will assist multiple communities in meeting the requirements of the 2016 Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit requirements. The purpose of this funding is to “enable groups of Massachusetts municipalities to expand their efforts to meet 2016 MS4 permit requirements and reduce stormwater pollution through coordinated partnerships that emphasize resource sharing.” For more information, see MassDEP’s Grants & Financial Assistance: Watersheds & Water Quality web page. Grant proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on September 8.

Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking proposals to establish technical assistance centers that provide technical assistance, training, and support for communities with environmental justice concerns. These new centers will provide training; assistance; capacity building on writing grant proposals, navigating federal systems, and managing grants; community engagement; meeting facilitation; and translation and interpretation services. Up to $11 million is available to public and private universities and colleges, public and private nonprofit organizations, and tribal governments. Awards will be issued as cooperative agreements, and EPA will be substantially involved in the operation of the centers. For more information, see the EPA website. Applications are due on October 4.

STREAM Grants - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sea Grant is seeking applications for Solutions Through Research, Education, and Art in Massachusetts (STREAM) grants. This new program will provide up to $10,000 for one-year projects that meet objectives of the MIT Sea Grant Strategic Plan in one or more of four focus areas—healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies, and environmental literacy and workforce development. The grants can be used for small research projects, seed funding for innovative efforts, college student research, classroom initiatives, and rapid response projects to tackle a current challenge. The grants are open to educators in preschool through grade 12, Massachusetts university faculty and students, industry, nonprofit organizations, artists affiliated with these groups, and others. For projects over $5,000, please discuss with MIT Sea Grant before submitting a proposal. All applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss potential projects with either Mary Newton Lima (Research Coordinator) or Lily Keyes (Communications Specialist) at [e-mail]. For more information, see the MIT Sea Grant website. Proposals are due by November 15.

Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grants - NOAA Fisheries is seeking applications for the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program for grants or cooperative agreements to support marine mammal stranding networks for recovery and treatment; data collection; and facility upgrades, operation costs, and staffing that address these needs. For more information, see the federal funding opportunity. Applications are due by October 12.

BoatUS Grassroots Grants - The BoatUS Foundation is seeking applications for its Grassroots Grants program to promote boater education. Up to $10,000 is available to local volunteer organizations, student groups, yacht clubs, and chapters of national organizations for creative and innovative projects that promote safe and clean boating. Applications are accepted year-round.

Reminders - These opportunities, listed previously in CZ-Mail, are still open or upcoming:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grants—Deadline Extended for Statements of Interest - The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is seeking applications for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding for projects that reduce loss of life and protect natural resources, property, infrastructure, public health, and the economy from natural hazards and climate change impacts. More than $110 million is available statewide. The federal cost-share for this grant round has been increased to “up to 90%,” and the cap for individual projects in Massachusetts is $15 million. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MEMA for application assistance. For details, including application information, see the MEMA website, or email questions to [e-mail]. Statements of Interest are accepted on a rolling basis, but should be submitted as soon as possible, and final applications are due by October 9.
• NOAA Funding Opportunities - NOAA is seeking proposals to address the climate crisis and strengthen coastal resilience and infrastructure. Up to $2.96 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds are available through several NOAA programs over the next five years to make investments in habitat restoration, coastal resilience, and climate data and services. NOAA will select high-impact projects that invest in communities, states, and regions to support these three major initiatives:
  • Climate Ready Coasts to help coastal communities invest in natural infrastructure projects that build coastal resilience, create jobs, store carbon, remove marine debris, and restore habitat.
  • Climate Data and Services to support government efforts to address the climate crisis by providing information and tools for decision-makers to address floods, wildfire, drought, and ocean health.
  • Fisheries and Protected Resources to support efforts to restore important fisheries habitat and promote community economic development.

  
  For details about these funding opportunities, see the NOAA Press Release.

Online Tools and Resources

New Resource and Data from NOAA Digital Coast - NOAA’s Digital Coast has posted these new resources:

• Developing the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s Hazard Mitigation Plan - This “peer-to-peer case study” covers the development of a hazard mitigation plan for this community in the upper peninsula of Michigan. The plan incorporated indigenous and traditional knowledge into the climate adaptation planning process.
• Identifying Open Space to Improve Resilience and Earn Community Rating System Credit in Gulf of Mexico Communities - This “story from the field” looks at using the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System to improve flood resilience and lower insurance premiums.
• New and updated data sets (PDF, 137 KB)

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The July 2022 issue of Coastal & Estuarine Science News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles on using satellite images to estimate marsh vegetation cover, analyzing “environmental DNA” to provide insights to both living and dead organisms in estuaries, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.

Coastal Impacts - The August 2022 issue of Coastal Impacts, the newsletter of Woods Hole Sea Grant, includes articles on the Girls in Science summer program; a high school student’s development of a “virtual buoy” that has potential to provide a low cost monitoring tool; a workshop to help teachers learn about sea level rise, storms, and flooding; and other Woods Hole Sea Grant news and updates.

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The August 2022 Newspaper (PDF, 18 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association includes stories on a letter submitted to Congress by seafood interests to request that the National Marine Fisheries Service provide funding to address impacts of offshore wind energy, the 60^th Anniversary of the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, and public notices, updates, and other lobster news.

MassBays Newsletter - The Summer-Fall 2022 issue of the MassBays Newsletter, a regular update from the MassBays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), includes a Year in Review and plans for the year ahead, a story map describing research to compare eelgrass mapping methods—including behind-the-scenes video of field work—and additional MassBays news and updates. Consider subscribing to receive the e-newsletter directly.

Neponset River Watershed News - The August Watershed Update from the Neponset River Watershed Association includes details on the return of brook trout to Traphole Brook in Norwood after removal of the nearby Mill Pond Dam in February 2022, June Water Quality Report, current significant drought status, and other Neponset River news, events, and updates.

NOAA HabitatNews - The August 2022 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes articles on NOAA’s first comprehensive mitigation policy to improve conservation of aquatic resources, a recommendation for more than $14 million to continue restoration of Great Lakes fisheries habitat, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Northeast Ocean Data Portal Newsletter - The August 2022 issue of Northeast Ocean Data, a newsletter of the Northeast Ocean Data Portal, provides details on 2021 vessel traffic data, maps and tools in the Northeast; mammal strandings from Maine to Virginia; whale watching activity map; new data layers available in the portal; and additional portal news and updates.

The Sandbar - The July 2022 issue of The Sandbar, a quarterly publication from the National Sea Grant College Program on U.S. ocean and coastal legal issues, covers an EPA-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for the first finfish aquaculture facility in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy released by NOAA Fisheries, and other ocean- and coastal-related legal issues.

Products/Publications

New England Stormwater Retrofit Manual - The University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center and VHB, with financial support from the Southern New England Program (SNEP) Network, have released The Stormwater Retrofit Guidance Manual. The manual provides supplemental guidance for retrofitting, sizing, and implementing design and performance characterization of stormwater infrastructure to promote practical and achievable methods that can meet size restrictions, while achieving infiltration and pollution reduction goals to mitigate stormwater impacts in developed areas.

Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Highway Resilience Guidance - NOAA Office of Coastal Management’s Digital Coast and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration have released Nature-Based Solutions for Coastal Highway Resilience: An Implementation Guide, which was developed to help transportation professionals understand how and where nature-based and/or hybrid solutions can be used to improve coastal road and bridge resilience. The guide offers potential flood-reduction benefits and guidance to determine site suitability for these solutions, along with considerations for engineering and ecological design, permitting, construction, and monitoring and maintenance.

Land Trust Guide for Watershed Protection - The EPA Healthy Watersheds Program and the Land Trust Alliance have released Advancing Watershed Protection Through Land Conservation: A Guide for Land Trusts (PDF, 4 MB), a guide to help the more than 1,300 land conservation organizations in the United States achieve water quality restoration and protection goals through EPA water programs and resources.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Offshore Project Review Specialist - CZM is seeking to fill this position focusing on review of offshore development, including offshore wind, cables, pipelines, and aquaculture. Find details in the CZM Job Posting section above, along with more in the full posting.

Climate Resilience Program Coordinator - The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is seeking a Climate Resilience Program Coordinator to serve under the Director of Climate Resilience to support DCR climate change mitigation and adaption planning, monitoring and research initiatives, and related projects. For complete details, see the job posting.

Waquoit Bay Positions - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (WBNERR) is seeking applications for two open positions. The School & Interpretive Program Coordinator will plan, develop, present, and evaluate school and interpretive programs and materials for the public with a goal to promote WBNERR and improve environmental literacy. The Coastal Training Program Coordinator will coordinate and administer the Coastal Training Program, which provides training and technical assistance to coastal decision-makers—anyone who makes management or policy decisions that can impact coastal resources, including state and local government officials, resource managers, environmental organizations, community groups, and business persons.

National Estuarine Research Reserve Liaison for New England - Lykner Technologies is seeking a liaison to serve the Wells, Great Bay, and Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves. This position will support coordination of NOAA Office for Coastal Management work in New England to build community and coastal resilience and promote nature-based solutions. This contract position is fully remote, but candidates need to live in New England and have access to the coast for partner meetings and events. For more information, see the position posting.

Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist - The NOAA Restoration Center is seeking a Marine Habitat Restoration Specialist for the Northeast and Great Lakes Team to work with federal, state, local, and non-government partners in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts to develop and oversee habitat restoration projects with a focus on fish passage and coastal habitat restoration. The position, located at NOAA Fisheries Regional Office in Gloucester, will be involved in all aspects of planning, design, and implementation of habitat restoration through NOAA’s habitat restoration programs including the Community Based Restoration Program, Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program, and projects funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Applications are due by September 5. For more information, see the position posting.

Beverly Conservation Agent - The Town of Beverly is seeking a Conservation Agent to provide technical and administrative support to the Beverly Conservation Commission and Open Space and Recreation Committee; administer and enforce the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, town bylaws, and applicable environmental regulations; and assist the Planning & Development Department. For additional details, see the job posting.

Temporary Beverly Conservation Agent - Beverly is also seeking a part-time Temporary Conservation Agent to carry out the same duties as above until a full-time agent is hired. For details, see the temporary job posting.

MAPC Positions - The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is seeking applicants for seven available full-time and intern positions, including Clean Energy and Climate Planner, Digital Media and Marketing Specialist, Director of Clean Energy, Regional Land Use Planner, Procurement and Contract Coordinator, Revenue Accountant, and Clean Energy and Climate Intern. For details, including application instructions, see the MAPC Employment Opportunities page.

GIS Contractor - The Association to Preserve Cape Cod is seeking an independent contractor to provide GIS support for several critical projects, including the Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program, State of the Waters: Cape Cod, and Cape Cod Critical Habitats Atlas. Candidates should have at least five years of professional job experience using GIS and a college degree with GIS training. Applications will be accepted until the contract is awarded. For more information, see the job posting.

Teacher Naturalist - Mass Audubon Cape Cod is seeking a full-time Teacher Naturalist to teach environmental science in classrooms from Provincetown to Sandwich and in the field at after school programs, camps, and other public programs. This is a two-year position based primarily at Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable with a couple of days a week at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. For more information, see the position posting.

CRWA Positions - The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is seeking applicants for six available full-time and internship positions, including Director of Programs, Development Manager, Stormwater Manager, Watershed Science Intern, Community Engagement Intern, and Multimedia Intern. For details, including application instructions, see the CRWA Employment and Internships page.

Water Resilience Planner - The Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA) is seeking a Watershed Resilience Planner to work closely with watershed municipalities, community-based organizations, and environmental justice communities to lead a new municipal climate change adaptation collaborative. The position reports to the Advocacy Director and will collaborate closely with other NepRWA staff across multiple disciplines. This full-time, permanent position requires a master’s degree in regional or urban planning, natural resource management, or a related field and at least two years of relevant work experience, or a bachelor’s degree and five years work experience. For details, see the position posting.

Whale and Dolphin Conservation Positions - Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) in Plymouth is seeking applicants for two full-time positions. The Education Coordinator will implement, facilitate, and grow WDC’s formal (in school) and informal (outside the classroom) education programs. The Fundraising and Marketing Manager will work to grow and manage annual revenue and oversee the development, delivery, and management of WDC’s fundraising campaigns, marketing, and communications efforts. For details, WDC Employment Opportunities page.

Outreach Coordinator & Office Manager - The Orleans Conservation Trust (OCT) is seeking a full-time Outreach Coordinator & Office Manager to manage OCT’s guided walks and educational lectures and assist with social media and email communications with members. The position will also manage core administrative operations including donation processing, donor database maintenance, mailing preparation, assisting the OCT Treasurer with financial reporting, and responding to public inquiries. Candidates must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends. For more information, see the job opportunity.

Environmental Educator - The Westport River Watershed Alliance is seeking a full-time Environmental Educator to assist with watershed education programs in the Westport schools and develop and provide community outreach through weekend programming for the public, school groups, and families. For details, see the job listing.

Buzzards Bay Coalition Positions - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking applicants for four available full- and part-time positions, Experiential Learning Manager, Development Assistant, Waterfront Leader, and Sailing Instructor. For details, including application instructions, see the Coalition’s Job Opportunities page.

Public Notice/Public Comment

Please note: All official CZM requests for public comment are published in the Public Notices section of the Environmental Monitor, the bi-weekly publication from the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office.

Reminder - This Public Comment opportunity from the last CZ-Mail is still available:

• Designation Report for the East Boston Designated Port Area (DPA) Boundary—Comment Period Extended - On December 15, 2021, CZM issued the East Boston DPA boundary designation report (PDF, 2 MB) for public comment. At the request of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), CZM has extended the comment period for the report several times, with the most recent comment extension ending on August 1. At the request of the BPDA, CZM has extended the comment period for an additional 90 days, ending on November 1. CZM shall consider written comments received by 5:00 p.m. on November 1. See the “attachments tab” in the submittal in the August 10 Environmental Monitor for a PDF copy of the notice of extension. Submit comments to [e-mail] or by mail to: Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, Attention: Joanna Yelen, Boston Regional Coordinator, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02114.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

2022 APCC Annual Meeting - September 11, Annual Meeting of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod to be held in Dennis. The 2022 meeting will feature EEA Undersecretary Gary Moran as the guest speaker.

Orleans Conservation Trust Annual Meeting and 50^th Anniversary Celebration - September 12, to be held in Orleans and will include Rich Delaney, Executive Director of the Cape Cod Climate Change Collaborative, as the featured presenter.

MS4 Reporting Webinar - September 12, EPA Region 1 training for MS4 permitees in Massachusetts and New Hampshire on the annual reports that are due on September 28.

Preservation in a Changing Climate Conference - September 12-13, conference to be held in Salem on the protection of historic resources in a changing climate sponsored by the Salem Preservation Partners and the City of Salem. Staff from CZM’s StormSmart Coasts Program will moderate an “Increasing Coastal Resiliency Over Time” panel discussion.

One Water Summit 2022 - September 13-15, US Water Alliance conference with plenaries, workshops, and site visits about the future of water to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

2022 National Coastal Conference - September 13-16, conference on coastal science, policy, technology, and politics sponsored by the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association to be held in Long Beach, California, with an online option.

National Monitoring Conference—Call for Abstracts - April 24-28, 2023, 13^th National Monitoring Conference sponsored by the National Water Quality Monitoring Council and likely to be held in either in Hartford, Connecticut, or Virginia Beach, Virginia, with a limited virtual option. Abstracts for oral presentations and posters on topics related to monitoring of rivers and streams, lakes, wetlands, coastal waters, estuaries, and groundwater are due by September 16.

CERF 2023 Conference—Call for Submissions - November 12-16, 2023, biennial conference sponsored by the Coastal Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) to be held in Portland, Oregon. Submissions for scientific sessions, workshops, and design team proposals are due by September 19.

New England Water Works Conference - September 18-21, annual conference for drinking water professionals to be held in Newport, Rhode Island.

Emerging Contaminants Webinar: Microplastics—The Next Big Little Thing - September 20, virtual event from the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC).

EBC Leadership Program with Colonel Atilano II, Commander, New England District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - September 21, in-person event from EBC on Army Corps of Engineers programs throughout the region. A virtual option is available.

Emerald Necklace Parkfest - September 24, celebration in Boston’s Emerald Necklace Parks that will feature free performances, kids’ activities, pop-up art, storytelling, ribbon-cutting, picnicking, and relaxing.

BUAR Meeting - On September 29, a Public Meeting of the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR) to be held via remote access.

Natural Hazards Research Summit 2022 - October 6-7, conference sponsored by the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure and the National Science Foundation to be held in Washington, DC.

Environmental Education Research Symposium and Conference - October 11-15, annual symposium (October 11-12) and conference (October 12-15) from the North American Association for Environmental Education to be held in Tucson, Arizona, with a virtual option.

Martha's Vineyard Coastal Conference - October 24, free conference hosted by CZM, The Trustees, Barnstable County, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), Martha’s Vineyard Commission, and Woods Hole Sea Grant with presentations on the impacts of sea level rise and storms on island flooding, erosion impacts and projections, salt marsh restoration, resilience planning, and more. The 2022 conference will be held in Vineyard Haven and registration will begin on September 30.

Environmental, Energy, and Engineering Career Fair - October 24, free in-person career fair in Boston sponsored by EBC.

2022 Water & Health Conference - October 24-28, annual conference presented by the University of North Carolina’s Water Institute on approaches to achieve universal access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services to be held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

NARWC Annual Meeting - October 25-26, meeting of the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (NARWC) to be held in New Bedford, with a virtual option.

ClimateTech Summit - November 2-3, annual climate technology entrepreneurship conference hosted by Greentown Labs. The 2022 Summit will be held in both Somerville and Houston, Texas, and online.

Coastal & Island Symposium - November 10-11, symposium from the Center for Watershed Protection with the theme “Mitigation and Adaptation to Environmental Changes in Coastal & Island Communities” to be held in Fulton, Maryland.

MassTrails Conference - November 12, annual conference hosted by DCR to be held in Fitchburg.

Ecosystem Services Conference - December 12-15, conference sponsored by A Community on Ecosystem Services (ACES) at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences with a focus on the “Future of Ecosystem Services” to be held in Washington, DC.

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

• 2022 Flood Management Conference - September 6-9, sponsored by the Flood Management Association to be held in Sacramento, California.
• New England Climate Change and Resiliency Summit - September 13, virtual summit from EBC.
• Water Quality Modeling Workshop - September 19-23, workshop from the Association of Clean Water Administrators to be held in Chicago, Illinois.
• Stormwater Conference - September 26-28, annual conference sponsored by StormCon to be held in National Harbor, Maryland.
• Sea Rovers Show - October 1-2, annual event in Danvers from Boston Sea Rovers to showcase the marine environment with a focus on diving. The event includes seminars, workshops, displays of dive equipment and services, an art exhibit, kids’ activities, and a film festival.
• Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride - October 2, fundraising ride to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Registration is required.
• U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae - October 23-28, 11^th symposium organized by NEIWPCC, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and U.S. Geological Survey to be held in Albany, New York.
• National Adaptation Forum - October 25-27, 5^th national event on climate adaptation to be held in Baltimore, Maryland.
• AWRA 2022 Annual Water Resources Conference - November 7-9, conference sponsored by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) to be held in Renton, Washington.
• NALMS Symposium - November 14-17, 42^nd International Symposium of the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS), entitled “Leveraging Experience to Manage Diverse Lakes, Landscapes, and People,” to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• 2022 National Coastal and Estuarine Summit - December 4-8, annual conference sponsored by Restore America’s Estuaries to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, with a virtual option.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

APCC Events - Free virtual events on landscaping, gardening, and more from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod.

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 bird-watching 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 at the museum in Hyannis.

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.

Climate Adaptation Science Fall Webinar Series - Webinars on climate change, adaptation, and resilience from the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center at UMass Amherst.

Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action - Monthly webinars from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on national policy action on climate change. Recording 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 Community Calendar.

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

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

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Summer Engagement Series - Webinar series from FEMA to provide technical information, best practices, tools, and resources for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs.

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.

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.

National Marine Sanctuaries Webinars - Webinars hosted by the sanctuary system.

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

Neponset River Watershed Association Events - Events throughout the Neponset River Watershed.

NOAA Coastal Training and Learning Resources - A range of training opportunities from NOAA’s Digital Coast.

NOAA Planet Stewards Events - Webinars, workshops, and book club sessions from the NOAA Planet Stewards Education Project.

NOAA Science Seminars - Webinars and seminars on science and climate issues from several NOAA partners.

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

Salem Sound Coastwatch Community Calendar - Events posted in the Salem Sound region.

Soak Up the Rain New England Webinar Series - Periodic webinars from EPA that highlight innovative ways to address stormwater in New England.

Sound in the Sea Webinars - Webinars through November hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

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

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

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

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

Other Items of Interest

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) Surveys - EEA is seeking opinions on outdoor recreation and open space from municipal employees, land trusts, and all users of Massachusetts outdoor recreational facilities. The National Park Service requires the Commonwealth to complete a SCORP every five years to remain eligible for funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant program, which provides funding for the acquisition of conservation and park land, development of new parks, or renovation of existing parks. EEA encourages everyone to complete a survey to ensure continued funding. Please select a survey below:

• Municipal Official (Community) Survey
• Land Trust Survey
• Recreational User (Citizen) Survey

Each survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete and are due by October 1. Please direct questions to Melissa Cryan at [e-mail].

National Estuaries Week - September 17-24 is National Estuaries Week, an annual celebration of the importance of coastal and estuarine regions to the national economy and local communities. Learn about special events taking place around the country, plan and register your own event, and get social media resources through the Restore America’s Estuaries National Estuaries Week web page.

Climate Preparedness Week - September 24-30 is Climate Preparedness Week 2022, which will feature virtual and in-person events in the Boston area on extreme weather adaptation and community preparedness. Apply to host an event or see the 2022 events calendar.