CZ-Mail Year in Review - 2023

Published January 2024

Welcome to the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) year-in-review edition of CZ-Mail, which highlights CZM accomplishments for 2023, provides news and information about our programs and regions, and discusses some notable achievements of our partners. CZM would like to thank all of the people and organizations that contribute their time, effort, expertise, and passion to working on issues important to the Massachusetts coast. It has been a pleasure to work with you over the past year, and we look forward to a positive and productive 2024.

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Overview of 2023 at CZM

CZM had a busy and productive year, planning for coastal resilience, providing extensive funding to coastal communities, and delivering technical assistance, research, and planning support focusing on climate change, coastal habitats, water quality, invasive species, ports and harbors, and offshore wind development. Throughout 2023, CZM prepared for the launch of ResilientCoasts, which was officially announced by Governor Maura Healey in November at an event in Beverly. CZM is leading the ResilientCoasts initiative to develop a holistic strategy for addressing climate change impacts along the Massachusetts coast and is now hiring a new Chief Coastal Resilience Officer to oversee the effort. As for financial assistance to coastal communities, CZM awarded almost $8 million in Coastal Resilience Grants for 19 local projects that address coastal storms, storm surge, flooding, erosion, sea level rise, and other climate change impacts through proactive local planning and shoreline management. Another 22 Coastal Resilience Grant projects wrapped up this year, with 11 additional 2-year projects to be completed in 2024. CZM also announced more than $2 million in Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants to support 10 projects, and six projects funded through this program wrapped up in 2023. Local partners provided nearly $4 million in matching funds through both grant programs, demonstrating a strong local commitment to coastal protection efforts. To help keep track of all these funded projects, CZM launched a new and improved CZM Grant Viewer, which allows users to explore CZM grants awarded from 2014 to present. CZM was also instrumental in securing nearly $4 million in federal funds to restore coastal habitat and improve resilience to climate change, which was announced by Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rebecca Tepperin June at a Manchester-by-the-Sea event. These federal funds will advance two restoration projects in Manchester and Truro, which are both designated as state Priority Ecological Restoration Projects. In addition, CZM, along with the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, received more than $100,000 in Project of Special Merit funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office for Coastal Management to assess the vulnerability of Massachusetts coastal cultural resources from erosion, coastal storms, and sea level rise. Finally, CZM continued to support the EEA Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, which in August awarded $31 million in new funding statewide to identify hazards and develop and implement strategies to improve resilience. Over $7 million of this total grant amount is advancing coastal resilience through 25 awards in 33 coastal communities. Other CZM accomplishments in 2023 include leading the seventh Rapid Assessment Survey of Marine Species in New England, with scientific experts spending an intensive week in August searching floating docks and piers from Maine to Massachusetts to observe, identify, and record marine organisms. In addition, CZM provided targeted technical assistance and planning support on coastal flooding, including offering a three-part online training series on the Massachusetts Coast Flood Risk Model in coordination with EEA and releasing an updated Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer that includes new infrastructure and coastal inundation data. CZM also helped organize and conduct the Nantucket Coastal Conference, which was held in June and focused on climate change impacts, flood protection, and coastal resilience. In addition, CZM is leading 11 plan actions to address coastal flooding and erosion, degradation of coastal wetlands and the marine environment, and damages to buildings, infrastructure, and cultural resources outlined in the Statewide Climate Resilience Plan—known as the ResilientMass Plan—which was released by EEA in October. Providing direct local support in the field, CZM activated the Coastal Storm Damage Assessment Team in September to assess the coastal impacts of Hurricane Lee. Publications released by CZM this year include a final report (PDF, 56 MB) and story map for an 18-month effort by the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays) and CZM to assess different methods of mapping eelgrass, completing this NOAA Project of Special Merit. CZM also released two fact sheets to complete the Stormwater Solution for Homeowners series (Preventing Erosion and Vegetated Swales), along with the CZ-Tip - Help Protect At-Risk Wildlife and Plants in Massachusetts Coastal Habitats and the Profile of a Marine Invasive Species - Meet the Spaghetti Bryozoan blog. CZM’s annual statewide beach cleanup, COASTSWEEP, was also a big success with more than 2,300 volunteers scouring 283 miles of coastline and collecting over 21 tons of trash. Other ongoing year-long work at CZM included planning efforts to bring clean, renewable offshore wind energy to the region’s residents, with CZM completing environmental reviews of several projects that will affect Massachusetts waters and shoreline. Through these reviews, CZM with the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) secured mitigation funds for the Commonwealth’s commercial and recreational fishing industries totaling $26 million. In addition, CZM created the CZM’s Role in Offshore Wind page and developed a public Status of Offshore Wind Lease Development in the Northeast - Online Viewer. CZM also worked on seafloor mapping efforts and harbor planning activities with Salem, South Boston, Edgartown, Gloucester, Mashpee, Nantucket, and New Bedford/Fairhaven. Additional 2023 highlights from the entire CZM team by program area are summarized below, along with major accomplishments from the two programs hosted by CZM: the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program and the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources.

CZM Program Accomplishments

CZM’s mission is to balance the impact of human activities with the protection of coastal and marine resources through planning, public involvement, education, research, and sound resource management. To achieve these goals, as well as to meet the needs of municipal officials, property owners, educators, and others in the coastal community, CZM maintains a range of programs. The 2023 accomplishments for each CZM program area are listed below.

StormSmart Coasts - Managing Erosion and Flooding

ResilientCoasts - In November, at an event in Beverly, Governor Maura Healey announced the launch of ResilientCoasts, a holistic strategy for addressing the impacts of climate change along the coastline of Massachusetts. The Governor was joined by Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll, EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper, and CZM Director Lisa Berry Engler, along with state legislators, state and federal partners, local officials, and resilience advocates. In collaboration with the state’s 78 coastal communities, ResilientCoasts will pursue a multipronged approach to identify regulatory, policy, and funding mechanisms to implement focused long-term solutions. CZM is charged with leading the initiative and is in the process of hiring a new Chief Coastal Resilience Officer to oversee CZM work in this area and the development of the new ResilientCoasts strategy. This strategy—which was identified as a priority action within the state’s ResilientMass Plan for ensuring the state is prepared to withstand, rapidly recover from, adapt to, and mitigate natural hazard events—will establish Coastal Resilience Districts based on climate impacts, review resilience options to proactively identify approaches that work statewide and within districts, explore financing mechanisms to find creative and sustainable ways to pay for projects, and review regulations to ensure effective long-term implementation. Community engagement will be central to ResilientCoasts, and a Coastal Resilience Task Force with representation from communities, businesses, scientists, community-based organizations, and environmental advocates has been convened to support strategy development. For more information, see the Press Release and the video of the announcement event, along with links to this sampling of local news coverage: Massachusetts launches ResilientCoast initiative from WCVB 5; Massachusetts launches new initiative to address coastal climate change impacts: ‘Now is the time for action' from NBC 10 Boston; New state strategy will help coastal towns tackle climate change's "tough questions" from WGBH; Governor Healey unveils plan to protect Mass. coastline from climate change from the Boston Globe; State looks to hire ‘chief coastal resilience officer’ to respond to rising sea levels, extreme storms from the Boston Herald; At vulnerable Lynch Park, governor unveils coastal resiliency plan from The Salem News; State launches new coastal-resiliency initiative from The Daily Item; and 'We're not going to stand by.' Healey sketches out initiative to address coastal threats from the Cape Cod Times.

Coastal Resilience Grant Awards - In October, CZM awarded $7.9 million for 19 local projects through the Coastal Resilience Grant Program to reduce risks associated with coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise through proactive local planning and shoreline management efforts. For details, see the Press Release. For local press coverage, see: Manchester gets money for coastal zone protection from the Gloucester Daily Times, CZM grants benefit parks in Beverly, Salem, and soon Manchester from the Salem News, Cape towns receive funds for coastal resilience projects from CapeCod.com, and Beverly, Salem awarded $425K in MA Coastal Resilience Grants from Salem Patch. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 grant awards are listed below:

• Barnstable - $92,579 to finalize plans to enhance the primary dune and relocate the parking lot landward at Sandy Neck Beach Park to reduce the risk of storm damage to infrastructure and preserve access to recreation.
• Beverly - $325,375 to assess the vulnerability of Lynch Park to flooding and erosion and develop resilience strategies. The project will evaluate potential impacts to the seawall and develop conceptual designs to mitigate flooding, address the drainage of floodwaters, and protect public access and amenities.
• Braintree - $74,940 to implement a monitoring plan for a salt marsh restoration and shoreline stabilization project at Watson Park constructed in 2022 and create an interactive map to document the resilience lessons learned from the project.
• Chatham - $94,540 to continue public outreach and complete permitting for beach nourishment and temporary structures that redirect tidal currents to address shoreline erosion and shoaling near Stage Harbor and Morris Island.
• Chatham, on behalf of the Pleasant Bay Alliance - $117,220 to complete permitting, monitoring, and construction documents to advance implementation of a living shoreline to protect Jackknife Beach. The project will restore the fringing salt marsh adjacent to the public access area to build resilience to erosion and sea level rise.
• Cohasset - $227,770 to develop preliminary designs for protecting infrastructure from flooding in the James Brook watershed. Designs will include roadway elevation, streetscaping, seawall repairs, and other approaches to protect roads and buildings.
• Cohasset - $220,000 to finalize design plans and permitting for wastewater system flood resilience. The project will seal sewer pipes and manholes to reduce flows during flooding and will elevate electrical equipment.
• Duxbury - $2,000,000 to construct the first phase of the Bay Avenue and Gurnet Road beach and dune restoration project using approximately 75,000 cubic yards of sand, gravel, and cobble. The project will also conduct surveys of the site’s resources, facilitate contractor hiring in coordination with Marshfield, and continue public outreach.
• Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc. - $123,000 to construct a mixed cobble and sand berm to address erosion north and south of Powder Point Bridge, one of two access points to Duxbury Beach. Construction of the berm will maintain access to the shoreline and critical infrastructure.
• Hingham - $268,771 to assess coastal flooding and develop preliminary designs for a shoreline resilience project for Hingham Harbor. The project will work in conjunction with planned Massachusetts Department of Transportation improvements along Route 3A to ensure flood protection.
• Hull - $120,000 to evaluate plans to reduce the flooding risk for the Department of Public Works facility and the Municipal Light Plant. Through a comprehensive approach, including community engagement and best practices for nature-based solutions, Hull will select projects to reduce the long-term sea level rise and storm damage vulnerability of these facilities.
• Manchester-by-the-Sea - $112,281 to complete near-term resilience actions to protect critical infrastructure from flooding in the downtown and inner harbor area, including elevating generators at municipal buildings and convening a community visioning workshop for a floodable park.
• Marshfield - $1,200,000 to construct the first half of a beach nourishment project to address erosion and flooding south of Green Harbor. The project complements beach nourishment efforts in Duxbury and will ultimately result in approximately 3,000 feet of restored shoreline across the two communities.
• Nahant - $147,295 to seek permits for cobble nourishment and vegetation planting at Forty Steps Beach to address erosion and damage to the existing seawall and revetment. The project will stabilize the eroded bluff and protect adjacent critical roadway and utility infrastructure.
• Nantucket - $421,875 to create preliminary designs for installing flood barriers in the lowest-lying section of the downtown waterfront. Based on feasibility assessments and community engagement, Nantucket will evaluate various options including road elevations to ensure access to roads, ferry service, and businesses in the area.
• Oak Bluffs - $169,150 to conduct a flooding and sea level rise vulnerability analysis of key transportation routes to the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, the island’s only hospital.
• Salem - $109,800 to begin to address coastal erosion at Winter Island Park through community engagement, pedestrian traffic management, and shoreline erosion and invasive plant species assessments. The project will help preserve a valuable recreational and historical resource in the city.
• Scituate - $1,976,480 to place an additional 26,000 cubic yards of sand and gravel on North Scituate Beach to extend the nourishment area and the life of the project. The nourished beach will help protect vulnerable public infrastructure and homes from coastal storm impacts.
• Yarmouth - $79,940 to create three conceptual designs for potential projects to increase the resilience of Packet Landing Marina from sea level rise and storm surge.

Coastal Resilience Project Updates - The 22 projects listed below wrapped up in 2023, and 11 will be completed in 2024 with CZM technical support and Coastal Resilience Grant funding. Please see the CZM Grant Viewer for award amounts and links to additional information.

2021-2023 Projects

• Braintree - Constructed a nature-based shoreline restoration project to mitigate erosion and flooding at Watson Park and conducted quarterly and annual monitoring to ensure the project site and surrounding resource areas are maintained.
• Dartmouth - Assessed alternatives and conducted public meetings to discuss resilient nature-based and structural design strategies for addressing the failing seawall around the perimeter of Apponagansett Park and Arthur Dias Town Landing, which regularly experience flooding during spring tides and coastal storms.
• Hull - Conducted public outreach, developed design plans, and submitted a Notice of Intent for a primary dune restoration and pedestrian access project at a vulnerable area on North Nantasket Beach, referred to as the Malta Area Dune project.
• Marion - Conducted preliminary design work of additional flood protection measures at the Front Street Pump Station, evaluated the sewer force main pipe that carries flow from the pump station to the Marion Water Pollution Control Facility, and constructed a bypass connection in the event of a pump station failure.
• Orleans - Constructed a parking lot, septic system leaching field, and other associated infrastructure improvements at Nauset Beach landward of the existing parking lot and flood zone and finalized record drawings and certifications.
• Tisbury - Continued public involvement and outreach for flood protection strategies focused on downtown Vineyard Haven, including beach and dune nourishment, roadway elevation, and berm construction.

2022-2023 Projects

• Barnstable - Designed and initiated permitting for a preferred alternative that uses nature-based measures and reconfigures the Sandy Neck Beach Facility to enhance storm damage protection to infrastructure and natural resources.
• Boston - Advanced previous climate vulnerability assessments to further analyze site conditions to address a critical flood entry point in Dorchester. The project developed schematic designs to protect the waterfront and community from future sea level rise and coastal storms.
• Chatham - Initiated environmental permitting for temporary structures that redirect tidal currents combined with beach nourishment to mitigate significant shoaling within the Stage Harbor entrance channel and erosion of Crescent Beach.
• Chatham, on behalf of the Pleasant Bay Alliance - Continued permitting efforts for a living shoreline project that will enhance fringing salt marsh and provide erosion protection at the Jackknife Beach recreational area.
• Chilmark - Constructed a 200-foot dune restoration project along Menemsha Public Beach to reduce sand overwashing the parking lot and into Menemsha Harbor and provide increased storm damage protection and flood control for landward areas.
• Cohasset - Assessed the vulnerability of public assets within the Cohasset Cove and James Brook Watershed, including the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Influent Pump Station located in Jacob’s Meadow, to current and future flooding conditions. The project developed resiliency strategies to mitigate flooding risks to these critical local and regional resources.
• Duxbury Beach Reservation - Constructed a 2,750-foot beach and dune nourishment project in front of the Duxbury Pavilion to provide increased storm damage protection and flood control to Duxbury Bay.
• Gosnold - Installed a new above-ground fuel storage system that incorporates sea level rise considerations to replace recently removed underground tanks.
• Ipswich - Continued permitting efforts for the Argilla Road Adaptation project, which aims to elevate Argilla Road and implement nature-based designs to provide a storm-resilient transition to adjacent wetlands and restore upland wetlands to full function through tidal exchange.
• Manchester-by-the-Sea - Developed a conceptual action plan to reduce coastal flood risks in the downtown inner harbor waterfront. The project developed alternatives for protecting critical assets including the Town Hall, wastewater treatment plant, and downtown commercial district.
• Marshfield and Duxbury - Continued permitting efforts to implement beach and dune nourishment projects at vulnerable coastal beaches along the east-facing shorelines of Marshfield and Duxbury. The towns also continued public outreach to update the communities on the project and its public benefits.
• MassAudubon - Examined the feasibility of shoreline restoration and infrastructure adaptations to the Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary and the terminal portion of Eastern Point Boulevard in Gloucester.
• Nahant - Evaluated alternative strategies for shore and coastal bank protection at Forty Steps Beach. The project also developed a conceptual design for the preferred alternative.
• Plymouth - Nourished a 2,000-foot section of Long Beach with sand, gravel, and cobble to address impacts of increasingly severe storms that threaten properties and infrastructure on the barrier spit and along Plymouth Harbor.
• Provincetown - Developed final design plans, construction specifications, and a monitoring and maintenance plan for a dune enhancement project along a 250-foot section of Ryder Street Beach to withstand storm events and improve coastal storm damage protection and flood control to the downtown area.
• Wareham - Developed a conceptual plan for implementable adaptation measures that can reduce flood risk to the Main Street commercial district. The project also conducted public engagement to increase the understanding of the vulnerability of the area and explore nature-based solutions.

2022-2024 Projects

• Brewster, Dennis, and Orleans - Continue to develop a comprehensive, science-based framework for managing the 14.5-mile shoreline between Rock Harbor in Orleans and Bass Hole in Dennis.
• Duxbury Beach Reservation - Completed the first of two years of monitoring of recently constructed cobble berms to increase understanding of the design and performance of these nature-based approaches to shoreline management. The project will also continue to build support for nature-based approaches through public outreach initiatives.
• House of Seven Gables Settlement Association - Continues to prepare an adaptation plan that identifies short-, medium-, and long-term actions to improve the resilience of the campus and buildings to anticipated changes in groundwater elevation, precipitation, storm intensity, and sea level rise.
• Marblehead - Continues public outreach, design plan development, and permitting for infrastructure retrofits to reduce flooding impacts along the shoreline encompassing the Municipal Light Department and adjacent properties.
• Mattapoisett - Finalized design plans and will construct improvements to Old Slough Road, which will be used as an emergency route for vehicles traveling from the Point Connett and Angelica Point neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are currently accessed by Angelica Avenue, a single, low-lying road that is threatened by flooding from coastal storms and sea level rise.
• New Bedford - Continues to advance environmental permitting and prepare final design plans and contract documents for the future construction of the West Rodney French Boulevard beach nourishment project. The proposed nourishment will help provide erosion protection to critical infrastructure located in the roadway.
• Orleans - Completed preliminary designs for removing underground fuel tanks located in a vulnerable area and replacing them with two new above-ground units in a safer and more landward location. The project will complete bidding and construction in 2024.
• Salem - Assessed alternatives for long-term resiliency improvements to infrastructure at Palmer Cove Park. The project will continue to advance the long-term design plans and cost estimates, while implementing shorter-term adaptation measures to mitigate near-term coastal flooding. The project will also continue to engage the community on climate change and disaster preparedness.
• Scituate - Prepared final design plans and contract documents and constructed a portion of the North Scituate Beach nourishment project to mitigate the impact of coastal storms and sea level rise over the next 20 to 30 years. The project will include public meetings to communicate project purpose, expectations, and updates.
• Wellfleet - Continues a multi-phase project to pursue a regional approach to shoreline management for Eastern Cape Cod Bay in partnership with Eastham, Provincetown, and Truro. The project will develop a regional sand management program and public data portal and finalize conceptual design strategies for four low-lying roads.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - In partnership with the Town of Falmouth, Marine Biological Laboratory, and Northeast Fisheries Science Center, the project identified and designed floodproofing measures for near-term critical flood entry points, evaluated the feasibility of a dune restoration project on Stoney Beach, and conducted public outreach to build support for infrastructure adaptations. The project will install the floodproofing measures and continue outreach efforts in the next year.

Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer - In July, CZM launched the updated Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer to include new infrastructure and coastal inundation data. The viewer is designed as a general planning tool to support broad-scale vulnerability assessments and identification of potential adaptation strategies consistent with CZM’s StormSmart Coasts Program. The viewer maps areas of potential inundation under various sea level rise scenarios, dynamic future storm surge, and current worst-case hurricane surge, as well as areas within the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) coastal flood zones. High resolution scenarios of flooding probabilities and depths from the Massachusetts Coast Flood Risk Model (MC-FRM), developed by Woods Hole Group, have been added to the viewer.

ResilientMass Plan - In October, the Healey-Driscoll Administration released the 2023 Massachusetts State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan, known as the ResilientMass Plan. ResilientMass is based on the findings, science, and stakeholder engagement of the Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment. The plan details 142 actions that address the most significant hazards to Massachusetts, including flooding from precipitation, coastal flooding and erosion due to sea level rise, and high heat. Over the next five years, designated lead agencies, in collaboration with other state and community partners, will advance these actions—and progress will be recorded with the ResilientMass Plan Action Tracker. CZM is leading 11 actions to address coastal flooding and erosion, degradation of coastal wetlands and the marine environment, and damages to buildings, infrastructure, and cultural resources. The development of a coastal resilience strategy in partnership with many agencies was identified as a high-priority action within the plan, which will be addressed through ResilientCoasts. Implementation of ResilientMass will be supported by the inter-agency ResilientMass Action Team and the new Office of Climate Science. For more information on the ResilientMass Plan, see the Press Release.

Regional Coastal Resilience - Through the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), CZM supported regional workshops in the fall on water level monitoring and living shorelines. These workshops were conducted in partnership with the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems and The Nature Conservancy. For more information, see the NROC Coastal Hazards Resilience Committee website and Work Plan.

StormSmart Coasts Outreach - Throughout 2023, CZM provided local officials and other partners information on erosion, flooding, coastal storm impacts, sea level rise, alternatives for mitigating erosion and storm damage, and local adaptation planning through presentations at a variety of events, including:

• Environmental Business Council of New England Ocean and Coastal Resources Webinar - In February, CZM participated in the Council’s 3^rd Annual Regional Agency Update on Ocean and Coastal Resources. CZM provided a presentation on Changing Coastal Flood Risk and Adaptation in Massachusetts.
• MACC Annual Conference - In February, CZM and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) conducted the workshop, Delineating and Evaluating the Function of Coastal Beaches, Dunes, Banks, and Barrier Beaches in Developed and/or Altered Areas under the Wetlands Protection Act Regulations, at the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions (MACC) virtual conference.
• Coastal Resilience Grants Webinar - In March, CZM hosted a webinar on the Coastal Resilience Grant Program for eligible applicants. The webinar covered program goals, eligibility, and evaluation criteria and highlighted a variety of successfully completed grant projects.
• Funding Nature Based Community Resilience in Southeastern Massachusetts - In March, CZM participated in a Southeast New England Program Network workshop for municipalities and eligible nonprofits on available climate resilience funding.
• MC-FRM Spring Training Series - In April and May, EEA and CZM, with the support of Woods Hole Group, hosted a three-part online training series on MC-FRM. Intended for beginner to advanced MC-FRM users, the trainings provided details of the model, an overview of products, and guidance on applications and included hands-on exercises. The session recordings are available on EEA’s YouTube page.
• Nantucket Coastal Conference - In June, the biennial Nantucket Coastal Conference was held at the Nantucket Atheneum with a focus on climate change impacts, flood protection, and coastal resilience. CZM gave a presentation on the 2022 MA Climate Change Assessment and 2023 ResilientMass Plan, highlighting key messages for coastal communities. More than 100 participants from Nantucket and coastal Massachusetts attended the 2023 event, which was live streamed. A conference recording can be viewed on YouTube.
• Nature-Based Approaches Field Trip Series - In June-September, CZM co-hosted four field trips, in partnership with the Stone Living Lab, Woods Hole Group, and Duxbury Beach Reservation, highlighting various nature-based approaches used to protect coastlines from coastal storms and sea level rise. Field trips included a boat tour of Boston Harbor and site walks at Coughlin Park in Winthrop, Duxbury Beach in Duxbury, and Trunk River in Falmouth. The field trips were geared toward local officials in coastal communities and others working to advance natural protection along the shoreline. For details, see the Stone Living Lab website.
• Metropolitan Beaches Commission Hearing - In July, CZM participated in a public hearing on climate resiliency hosted by the Metropolitan Beaches Commission. CZM provided information on coastal resilience data and resources.
• massFM Conference - In October, CZM participated in the 4^th Annual Conference of the Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management (massFM). Presentations included state climate initiatives highlighting the 2023 ResilientMass Plan, EEA’s new Office of Climate Science, new resources supporting the rollout of MC-FRM products, and an introduction to a new extreme precipitation dataset.
• MACC Fall Conference - In October, CZM participated in MACC’s Fall Conference, providing a presentation on Analyzing and Managing Long-Term Risk Using MC-FRM.

Storm Team Activated for Hurricane Lee and December Storm - On September 16, CZM activated selected members of the Coastal Storm Damage Assessment Team (Storm Team) to assess coastal impacts of Hurricane Lee. The Storm Team and others submitted 81 reports from 17 communities to the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and others at the State Emergency Operations Center. Impacts reported included: minor beach, dune, and bank erosion; minor overwash onto low-lying roads and parking areas; damaged sand fencing; and one septic system exposed by erosion. The Storm Team also conducted assessments of damage from the December 18 storm in 12 communities, with 61 reports submitted. Impacts included widespread beach, dune, and bank erosion and minor coastal flooding and overwash onto low-lying coastal roads and parking areas. Along the south shore of Buzzards Bay, Cape Cod, Edgartown, and Nantucket, there was some moderate erosion, flooding, and structural damage, including damage to piers and docks, beach access structures, seawalls, roads, and homes. Storm Team members used CZM’s StormReporter tool to submit reports.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Grants - In 2023, EEA awarded $31.5 million in grants to cities, towns, and Tribes. Action Grant awards include 25 grants to 33 coastal communities for a total of more than $7 million invested in these efforts. Also, the MVP 2.0 pilot program awarded two-year grants of $95,000 to five coastal communities to support updating and implementing their climate change resiliency plans and projects. These municipalities will also receive innovative training on climate resilience best practices, equity, and environmental justice and will revisit priorities in their current MVP plans. 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 Press Release.

Coastal Habitat and Water Quality

Federal Funds for Coastal Habitat and Climate Change Resilience - In June, CZM secured $3,745,290 in Coastal Zone Management Habitat Protection and Restoration Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Awards from NOAA for two coastal habitat restoration projects through a highly competitive process, with only 33 projects funded out of 95 submissions. The awards were announced by EEA Secretary Tepper at an event in Manchester-by-the-Sea. The federal funds will advance two critical long-term restoration priorities for Manchester and Truro, which are both designated as Priority Ecological Restoration Projects through the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration's Priority Projects Program. See the Press Release for details, and for press coverage, see: Pamet River restoration gets $2 million in state funding from CapeCod.com and Manchester gets nearly $1.6M grant for coastal habitat projects from the Gloucester Daily Times. The following summaries highlight details of each project:

• Manchester-by-the-Sea - $1,561,511 to restore 1,534 linear feet of stream connectivity to Sawmill Brook and improve resiliency for critical infrastructure and the community. Reconstruction of the Central Street Bridge and removal of a tide gate will restore tidal flow between Sawmill Brook and Central Pond, which will enhance fish passage for rainbow smelt—a federal Species of Concern—and other species. One acre of salt marsh will be restored with improved tidal flow and with targeted plantings of suitable species. Increasing the culvert span and removal of the tide gate as part of the bridge reconstruction will mitigate recurring flooding impacts. Stabilization of eroding streambanks using nature-based approaches will provide additional resilience benefits for critical infrastructure.
• Truro - $2,183,779 to advance modeling, design, and permitting to restore tidal flow at five locations within the Pamet River system that are currently restricted by railroad and road crossings. This project will position the town to implement comprehensive, watershed-scale actions to restore hundreds of acres of highly productive salt marsh and estuarine habitat, as well as more than six miles of stream connectivity for diadromous and resident fish species. Restoration actions that restore connectivity and enhance natural shoreline processes will improve tidal flushing for water quality improvements, mitigate the impacts of overwash events, and provide resilience benefits for roads and residential properties.

Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grant Awards - In September, CZM announced $2.1 million in Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants to support efforts to protect coastal water quality and habitat, develop comprehensive coastal habitat restoration plans, and implement priority restoration actions. See the Press Release for details, and for press coverage, see: Cape Cod water quality projects get state funding from CapeCod.com and Massachusetts doles out $2.1M in Coastal Water Quality and Habitat Restoration Grants from Hoodline. The following 10 projects were awarded with this FY 2024 funding:

• Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) - $761,137 to complete final designs and permitting for green stormwater infrastructure that will treat stormwater for nutrients and bacteria at four public boat ramp sites. Additionally, working with project partners, APCC will complete construction of stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) at two of these sites and support construction at a third public boat ramp.
• Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) - $99,992 to develop green stormwater infrastructure designs to treat stormwater runoff into Cheesecake Brook, a tributary of the Charles River, for nutrients and bacteria. The designs will include a subsurface infiltration system at Albemarle Field and several bioretention BMPs along the stream. CRWA will also develop a comprehensive restoration plan to identify and prioritize restoration activities in the Cheesecake Brook subwatershed with the goal of improving water quality and habitat critical for diadromous fish species.
• Falmouth - $90,237 to develop a comprehensive habitat restoration plan to identify and prioritize restoration opportunities in the Fresh River system. Data will be collected to inform conceptual restoration designs to improve tidal flow and remediate stormwater pollution. The town will also develop education and outreach initiatives to engage the local community about the project.
• Falmouth - $40,000 to develop green stormwater infrastructure designs to treat runoff from Thomas B. Landers Road into the Coonamessett River, which is a critical diadromous fish run and the site of several state funded restoration efforts. The designed BMPs will treat stormwater runoff, which currently flows untreated directly into the river, for nutrients and bacteria.
• Kingston - $18,000 to conduct an analysis of land parcels for acquisition or conservation restriction establishment to facilitate marsh migration, which is the landward movement of marshes into suitable adjacent lands with sea level rise. The town will conduct a desktop assessment to inventory parcels, identify land ownership, and assess ecological value, as well as conduct legal due diligence through a review of the legal requirements for conservation restrictions and fee simple purchase of parcels.
• Mattapoisett Land Trust - $82,856 to complete a comprehensive habitat restoration plan for the tidal marshes west of Mattapoisett Neck Road through the collection of aerial imagery, natural resource delineation, and modeling to project impacts of climate change to coastal habitat. These efforts will inform the identification and prioritization of restoration actions in the area, culminating in the development of three to four technical plans for priority restoration actions.
• North and South Rivers Watershed Association - $88,129 to complete a comprehensive habitat restoration plan for tidal marshes across the South Shore of Massachusetts. Field and desktop assessment methods will be used to develop a prioritized ranking of marsh units for restoration action, including an opportunity for students to participate in field data collection and desktop analysis through a collaboration with the Cohasset Center for Student Coastal Research.
• Salem Sound Coastwatch - $50,000 to conduct a case study of the North River rain gardens in Salem through the development of an executive summary, story map, and two informational videos, provided in both English and Spanish. These products will document the successes and lessons learned from the project and provide capacity building, education, and outreach opportunities focused on green stormwater infrastructure in an urban environment.
• Swansea - $99,900 to conduct a stormwater assessment for the Cole’s River in the adjacent Compton’s Corner area in Swansea. This section of the river contains critical shellfish habitat and is currently impaired for bacteria. The town and its partners will conduct water quality sampling, develop stormwater trainings for town staff, create conceptual designs for one stormwater BMP, and solicit feedback on the assessment results from the public.
• Yarmouth - $795,908 to design, permit, and install priority BMPs to treat stormwater runoff for nutrients and bacteria entering coastal waterbodies. Initial designs will be completed for five priority green stormwater infrastructure sites, leading to the development of final designs, permitting, and implementation of the top two locations. Sites will be prioritized based on benefit to impaired waters, shellfish habitat, beaches, and environmental justice communities, along with public feedback.

Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Project Updates - The six projects listed below were completed with funding from FY 2023, and two more will continue into FY 2024.

Completed Projects

• Barnstable - The Town of Barnstable completed 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 built on 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 (BWSC) - BWSC constructed a new stormwater filtration system to treat runoff, which will reduce total suspended solids and nutrients and improve 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 UMass Amherst.
• Kingston - The Town of Kingston implemented stormwater BMPs along Elm Street and developed 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 - The City of Melrose constructed 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. The project, in partnership with the Mystic River Watershed Association, builds on an effort to install trenches region-wide to improve water quality in the watershed.
• Quincy - The City of Quincy examined the Rock Island Cove salt marsh complex and developed a plan for restoration. The assessment included desktop analyses, field evaluations, outreach to key stakeholders and land managers to identify restoration opportunities, and development of a comprehensive restoration plan for the area.
• Yarmouth - The Town of Yarmouth completed a comprehensive stormwater assessment to identify and prioritize stormwater treatment sites in partnership with APCC. The assessment resulted in conceptual designs for green stormwater infrastructure.

Ongoing Projects

• Association to Preserve Cape Cod - APCC will continue efforts 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 collaboration with regional partners.
• Fairhaven - The Town of Fairhaven will continue efforts to construct two bioretention basins at Jerusalem Road to trap stormwater runoff and filter out nutrients and bacteria currently reaching outer New Bedford Harbor. This green stormwater infrastructure will improve water quality in the harbor, supporting shellfish harvesting opportunities.

Please see the CZM Grant Viewer for details on projects funded by all CZM grant programs from 2014 to present.

Marine Species Rapid Assessment Survey - In August, CZM staff and a team of scientific experts visited marinas from Maine to Massachusetts to identify native and invasive marine species found on floating docks and piers. Every 3-5 years since 2000, a Rapid Assessment Survey (RAS) has been conducted in the region to detect new species introductions, identify range shifts or expansions of invasive species, and understand native species distributions. During the 2023 RAS, the team documented the persistence of common marine invaders, the range expansion of some invaders (such as Tricellaria inopinata at Journey’s End Marina in Rockland, Maine), and the first published documentation of an invasive bryozoan, Schizoporella japonica, in New England. Interesting species observations were posted on the iNaturalist by survey team members, and a full report is anticipated to be published on the CZM website in 2024. Funding for the 2023 RAS was provided by CZM and the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts Bays and Buzzards Bay National Estuary Programs, and Northeast Aquatic Nuisance Species Panel. For more information, see the Press Release and the following press coverage: Scientists hit Beverly in search for invasive species from the Salem News and Invasive or native, these scientists want to know either way from Dartmouth Week.

Potential New Sediment-Based Salt Marsh Restoration Strategy - In March, CZM contracted with WSP USA Solutions, Inc., along with Sustainable Coastal Solutions, Inc., and Geyer & Ralston Consulting, to complete an initial feasibility assessment of passive sediment augmentation (PSA) as an approach to protect and restore salt marsh ecosystems. 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 disposal site. Sediment is a necessary component of ecological processes that allow the marsh to build elevation and keep pace with sea level rise. The project team, along with the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, will partner to enhance a model within Waquoit Bay to test the conceptual strategy. Testing the feasibility of this concept using a modeled approach will lay the groundwork for continued exploration of the technique as a potential option for beneficial reuse of sediments in the future and support protection and restoration of salt marsh habitat.

Volunteer Monitoring of Marine Invasive Species - Since 2006, a network of volunteer monitoring groups, convened by CZM, spend the summer hunting for 18 common marine invasive species at docks and rocky shorelines along the New England coast as part of the Marine Invasive Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC). This year, MIMIC partners successfully monitored sites from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, to Casco Bay, Maine. See the MIMIC iNaturalist Project Page to view species monitored, the MIMIC Story Map for monitoring data, and CZM’s Marine Invasive Species Program website for more information on MIMIC.

Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Program Outreach and Technical Assistance - Throughout 2023, CZM provided academic groups, coastal practitioners, municipal staff, and other partners information on coastal habitat vulnerability and resilience, wetlands, coastal water quality, marine invasive species monitoring, and volunteer science network coordination at a variety of events, including:

• 2023 Invasive Species and Climate Change Symposium - In February, CZM presented at the virtual symposium from the Northeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change Management Network, which included information on CZM’s Rapid Assessment Surveys and MIMIC.
• Cape Cod Natural History Conference - In March, this annual MassAudubon conference was held at Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable, which included a presentation from CZM detailing the results of the Coastal Habitat Vulnerability Assessment for the Sandy Neck Barrier Beach System Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). A report on this assessment is anticipated to be available on the CZM Coastal Habitat Program website in 2024.
• Funding Nature Based Community Resilience in Southeastern Massachusetts - In March, CZM represented the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grant program at a workshop hosted by the Southeast New England Program at Bridgewater State University, which aimed to highlight key funding opportunities for water quality and climate resilience projects in Southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
• Boston Harbor Ecosystem Network Fall Meeting - In November, CZM presented at the Boston Harbor Ecosystem Network Fall Meeting on invasive and range-expanding species. The presentation included preliminary findings from CZM’s 2023 Rapid Assessment Survey and the historical Boston Harbor trends from the MIMIC.
• Navigating Salt Marsh Restoration in Massachusetts: Challenges, Strategies, and Opportunities - In September, CZM participated on the planning team and attended this workshop hosted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Southeast New England Program that focused on salt marsh restoration permitting.
• MassDEP Interagency Wetlands Workgroup - CZM provides technical assistance to this workgroup to identify opportunities to improve review and permitting processes for coastal wetlands restoration and climate resilience efforts that account for current knowledge gaps in the science and practice. For more information see the Interagency Coastal Wetlands Climate Resilience Workgroup web page.
• Salt Marsh Working Group - CZM continues to co-lead the Massachusetts Ecosystem Network Salt Marsh Working Group with the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Amherst, Gloucester Marine Station. Goals of the group are to facilitate coordinated efforts to assess and monitor salt marshes; inform statewide and regional strategies for the prioritization, conservation, and restoration of salt marshes; share synthesized science and knowledge of climate impacts on salt marsh and the vulnerability of these systems to climate stressors; inform best practices for salt marsh climate adaptation efforts; and design collaborative funding approaches to support research.

COASTSWEEP 2023 - From August through November each year, thousands of people in Massachusetts volunteer for COASTSWEEP—the statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM as part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. While the numbers are still coming in for COASTSWEEP 2023, preliminary reports show that more than 2,300 volunteers scoured 283 miles of coastline to collect over 21 tons of trash this year. CZM plans to start signups for next year’s COASTSWEEP cleanups in June 2024. If you are interested in receiving information about volunteering or coordinating a cleanup, please send your contact information to [e-mail]. And thank you to all our volunteers throughout the years for your enthusiasm and commitment!

Other Water Quality Activities - CZM also worked on the following coastal water quality activities in 2023:

• Nitrogen Management - CZM served on the MassDEP’s expert panel to identify a modeling approach that will allow for the development of nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Loads for four embayment systems in Buzzards Bay—Onset and Buttermilk Bays, Weweantic River Estuary, Sippican Harbor, and Mattapoisett Harbor.
• MWRA Monitoring - CZM participated in an ad hoc committee to support the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Outfall Monitoring Science Advisory Panel to address contaminants of emerging concern including per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and microplastics and whether they should be included in the draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the MWRA’s Deer Island Treatment Plant.
• Water Quality Monitoring - CZM has been working with MassBays to identify five coastal locations from Provincetown to Salisbury for long-term water quality monitoring stations. Once established, each station will be outfitted with sensors that will continuously collect data on core parameters: dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity, conductivity, turbidity, chlorophyll, pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO₂), and pressure (water depth). The continuous data may be augmented with discrete water samples for nutrient concentration determination. For more information, contact CZM Coastal and Marine Scientist, Todd Callaghan, at [e-mail].

Ocean Management

Offshore Wind Project Review - In 2023, CZM reviewed and provided comments on several projects through the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) processes. Through NEPA, CZM commented on the Beacon Wind Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); the Draft Environmental Impact Statements (DEIS) for Empire Wind, Sunrise Wind, New England Wind, and SouthCoast Wind; the Preliminary Final EIS for Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind, and New England Wind; and the Programmatic DEIS for the New York Bight. CZM also worked with EPA staff on the NPDES permit that will regulate the cooling water intake and thermal discharge of the offshore energy converter station for Sunrise Wind. Under MEPA, CZM commented on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for New England Wind 2 Connector and SouthCoast Wind Connector. CZM worked with DMF and MassDEP on the New England Wind Fisheries and Benthic Habitat Monitoring Plans. CZM also worked with DMF to incorporate financial compensation measures into federal consistency determinations to offset impacts to Massachusetts fishers affected by the Sunrise Wind, Revolution Wind, and New England Wind projects.

Gulf of Maine Offshore Wind Planning - CZM worked with state and federal partners to share information and policy positions through the Gulf of Maine Task Force. CZM provided comments to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on its Call Area and Draft Wind Energy Area (WEA) asking BOEM to balance protection of existing uses and resources, while also developing the Gulf of Maine to meet Massachusetts legislatively mandated offshore wind needs. CZM also commented to BOEM on the NOI to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) and the subsequent Draft EA of Maine’s proposed offshore wind Research Array lease area off Portland and issued a federal consistency concurrence for the leasing and site assessment activities. See Gulf of Maine Offshore Wind Planning on CZM’s Role in Offshore Wind web page for details and links to comment letters.

Stakeholder Engagement - To support the sustainable development of offshore wind energy, CZM continued to lead stakeholder engagement groups related to fisheries and habitat topics, hosting meetings of the Habitat Working Group on Offshore Wind Energy and Fisheries Working Group on Offshore Wind Energy. At these meetings, offshore wind developers, fishing industry representatives, and researchers provided updates on the latest surveys, projects, research initiatives, and findings for discussion. Input received from the groups informed current and ongoing project planning and review. To assist in communicating offshore wind information to the working groups and the public, CZM created the CZM’s Role in Offshore Wind page and developed a public Status of Offshore Wind Lease Development in the Northeast - Online Viewer to track offshore wind development off of Massachusetts. CZM held several meetings across coastal Massachusetts to hear from fishers on what areas were most important to their industries and held additional meetings to talk with non-government environmental organizations to hear what habitats were important to them so that CZM could write informed comment letters to help BOEM identify the least conflicted areas within the Gulf of Maine where a Wind Energy Area could be sited.

Northeast Regional Ocean Council - CZM had lead roles on the Ocean Planning, Habitat and Coastal Ocean Mapping, and Coastal Hazard Resilience executive committees of the Northeast Regional Ocean Council, the state and federal partnership established by the region’s Governors in 2005 to provide a voluntary forum for New England states, regional organizations, and federal partners to coordinate and collaborate on regional approaches that support balanced uses and conservation of ocean and coastal resources. On the Ocean Planning Committee, CZM coordinated geospatial data to help support the development of offshore floating wind leases in the Gulf of Maine. On the Habitat and Coastal Ocean Mapping Subcommittee, CZM led a seafloor mapping prioritization effort across six states, eight federal agencies, and three non-governmental organizations. On the Coastal Hazards Resilience Committee, CZM continued to advocate for coupled flooding and inundation modeling.

Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment - The Council was established in 1989 by the governments of Maine, Massachusetts, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, and Nova Scotia and works to foster environmental health and community well-being throughout the Gulf of Maine watershed. CZM, representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, continued in its second year as Chair of the Council and the Working Group. This year, the Council finalized its Five-Year Action Plan (2023-2028) to guide future activities. In June, the 2023 Gulf of Maine Awards were presented in Boston, and three award winners from Massachusetts were honored for their exceptional work to protect the health and sustainability of the Gulf of Maine watershed. The Friends of Belle Isle Marsh received a Sustainable Communities Award for their work conserving the marsh land in East Boston and Winthrop as open space and their important advocacy and education for this last remaining salt marsh in Boston Harbor. Robert Buchsbaum, conservation scientist for the Massachusetts Audubon Society from 1987-2019, was honored with a Visionary Award for his groundwork to designate the Great Marsh ACEC. In addition, Peter Phippen, coastal resource specialist at the Merrimack River Planning Commission and former Upper North Shore Regional Coordinator for MassBays, was given a Visionary Award for his efforts to protect natural resources in the Gulf of Maine watershed and his work to maintain the Great Marsh’s ACEC designation.

Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind - CZM, representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts along with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, continued its participation in the State Sector Caucus and on the Marine Mammal subcommittee of the Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative for Offshore Wind (RWSC). CZM worked closely with DMF to review the RWSC Science Plan, a comprehensive summary of the monitoring and research efforts related to offshore wind development and wildlife and habitats that are completed, underway, or planned, as well as highlighting the data gaps and research needs in this area.

Offshore Wind Policy Initiatives - In response to stakeholder concerns, CZM led the development of two policy initiatives relating to offshore wind. Due to concerns about seabed disturbance related to cable-laying, particularly to the movement of large boulders, CZM worked with state and federal agencies to develop a framework for moving boulders in a manner that would minimize harm to seafloor habitats and minimize the risk of snags for mobile-gear fisherman with improved communication of final boulder positions. In response to requests to provide guidance to offshore wind developers about avoidance, minimization, and mitigation strategies that should be prioritized in offshore wind projects and proposals, CZM worked with state agencies to develop a best practices document with specific suggestions to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to wildlife species and habitats. Stay tuned to CZ-Mail in 2024 for the document’s release.

Mapping and Data Management

Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer - CZM has updated the Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer to include new infrastructure and coastal inundation data. The viewer is designed as a general planning tool to support broad-scale vulnerability assessments and identification of potential adaptation strategies consistent with CZM’s StormSmart Coasts Program. The viewer maps areas of potential inundation under various sea level rise scenarios, dynamic future storm surge, and current worst-case hurricane surge, as well as areas within FEMA coastal flood zones. High resolution scenarios of flooding probabilities and depths from the Massachusetts Coast Flood Risk Model, developed by Woods Hole Group, have been added to the viewer.

New and Improved CZM Grant Viewer - The CZM Grant Viewer has been updated and redesigned to improve search capabilities, streamline information, add data and links to reports, and more. This mapping tool allows users to explore grants awarded from 2014 to present for the following CZM grants: Coastal Resilience, Coastal Pollutant Remediation, and Coastal Habitat and Water Quality. These grants are awarded throughout the Massachusetts coastal zone and coastal watersheds and represent a strong investment in clean estuaries, resilient coasts, and healthy habitats. Specific viewer updates include new search and filter options, summary information, project document attachments (e.g., final project reports), and the ability to view data in table form and export these data. This viewer is designed as a resource for a range of audiences, including perspective grantees, grant program managers, and representatives from local and state government and tribes, nonprofits, and research entities. To explore these grant awards and the updates, launch the CZM Grant Viewer in ArcGIS.

Status of Offshore Wind Lease Development in the Northeast Viewer - EEA is actively working on many aspects to site and develop potential offshore wind projects responsibly, reduce their risks, and cultivate jobs in the sector. To support efforts of EEA's Fisheries and Habitat Working Groups to fully consider potential impacts of offshore wind development, CZM has developed the Status of Offshore Wind Lease Development in the Northeast - Online Viewer, an ArcGIS online viewer that depicts: geographical location of the offshore wind leases in the Northeast, size and scope of each project, landfall sites and energy transmission corridors, and current status of federal environmental reviews.

Seafloor and Habitat Mapping

Geophysical and Geological Data from Nantucket Sound - In March, CZM and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) published High-Resolution Geophysical Data Collected in Nantucket Sound Massachusetts in the Vicinity of Horseshoe Shoal, During USGS Field Activity 22-001-FA, datasets that includes more than 680-trackline-kilometers of bathymetric, backscatter, and subbottom data. These data offer a detailed view of the sandy seafloor and subseafloor around Horseshoe Shoal. This effort is part of a long-term collaboration between CZM and USGS to map state waters and develop high-resolution geologic maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data to serve the needs of research, management, and the public. For more information on CZM/USGS seafloor work, see CZM’s Seafloor and Habitat Mapping Program website and the USGS Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor website.

Geophysical and Geological Data from Outer Cape Cod - In November, USGS published High-resolution geophysical and geological data collected from outer Cape Cod, Massachusetts during USGS Field Activity 2021-004-FA, datasets that include bathymetric and shallow seismic-reflection data from the outer Cape Cod nearshore environment between Marconi and Nauset Beaches. These data will help support research on white shark shallow-water behavior in the dynamic nearshore environment at Cape Cod National Seashore and help inform visitor safety efforts. This mapping in state waters supplements ongoing work mapping work performed by CZM and USGS.

Port and Harbor Planning

Decision Issued on Harbor Plan for Salem - In May, the Decision on the Request for Approval of the Salem Municipal Harbor Plan Renewal and Designated Port Area Master Plan (PDF, 711 KB) was issued by the Secretary of EEA. The 2023 renewal, which was funded by the Seaport Economic Council (SEC) and received technical assistance from CZM and MassDEP throughout development, encompasses the Salem shoreline and adjacent landside areas between Winter Island and Palmer Cove, as well as an area adjacent to the North River. Building on the city’s past waterfront successes, this renewal establishes a vision for the future of Salem Harbor that is consistent with previous community visioning processes. This plan renewal seeks to protect and enhance the economic, environmental, historic, and cultural resources related to Salem Harbor and the North River and to achieve a balance between the residential and business needs of adjacent neighborhoods, opportunities for the entire city, and the value of the Port of Salem as a regional economic resource. The new Municipal Harbor Plan (MHP) also includes a Designated Port Area (DPA) Master Plan that details a strategy to preserve and enhance the capacity of the DPA to accommodate water-dependent industries and prevent substantial displacement of these activities by non-water-dependent uses. The Secretary’s Decision approves the master plan with modifications and conditions to ensure that sufficient space along the water’s edge will be devoted exclusively to water-dependent use and public access and that conditions of the ground-level environment will be conducive to water-dependent activity and public access.

Clarification on 2009 South Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan Amendment - In April, CZM issued a clarification (PDF, 146 KB) on the building height and Water-Dependent Use Zone (WDUZ) substitute provisions approved under the Secretary’s Decision on the 2009 South Boston Waterfront District Municipal Harbor Plan Amendment (PDF, 590 KB) in response to a February request from the Boston Planning & Development Agency. The EEA Secretary concurred that the proposed height changes and WDUZ reconfiguration are consistent with the standards and original intent of the 2009 MHP Amendment and will improve the overall effectiveness of the planning area to ensure an active, accessible, and resilient public open space.

Local Planning Efforts - Several communities continued to work on harbor planning in 2023, as summarized by region below. For more information about CZM’s harbor planning efforts, contact the CZM Regional Coordinators.

• North Shore - CZM continued to work with the City of Gloucester on its planning for renewal and amendment of the 2014 Gloucester Harbor MHP and DPA Master Plan, funded by SEC. CZM’s Notice to Proceed (see attachments tab) for the plan was issued to the city in November 2021, and the city is working with CZM and MassDEP on finalizing the draft of the renewal and amendment for submittal to the EEA Secretary for approval in early 2024.
• Boston Harbor - The clarification on the 2009 South Boston Waterfront District MHP Amendment was issued by the EEA Secretary in April following a February request from the Boston Planning & Development Agency, which concurred with the provisions of the original 2009 Secretary’s Decision.
• Cape Cod and Islands - The Town of Nantucket has begun an MHP update for the Nantucket and Madaket Harbors Action Plan and seeks to address emerging harbor management issues, including climate change impacts to commercial and recreational harbor infrastructure, natural resources, and historic structures within the harbor planning areas. A Notice to Proceed (see attachments tab) was issued to the town in August. The town has hired the Urban Harbors Institute to assist with this effort. The Town of Mashpee is actively working on its first state-approved MHP, beginning the process in April. The town has held multiple public outreach events over the past six months and is now working on a draft plan, which incorporates the many issues raised during this planning process. The Town of Edgartown continues to work on an update of the state-approved Edgartown Harbor Plan. The town has partnered with the Martha’s Vineyard Commission to assist in this effort and seeks to address emerging harbor management issues (including climate change impacts to harbor infrastructure and natural resources) and potential impacts to natural resources from increased recreational boating.
• South Coastal - CZM worked with New Bedford and Fairhaven to extend their joint state-approved MHP, and CZM continued to take part in the State Enhanced Remedy Committee overseeing its Phase V Dredging Project in New Bedford Harbor.

Navigational Dredging Grants Program - This summer, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced more than $5 million in grant awards for seven public dredging projects through the Massachusetts Dredging Program. These construction grants will support removal and disposal of nearly 186,000 cubic yards of harbor material, preserving or expanding use of more than 2,000 moorings and dockage slips, as well as navigation for over 250 commercial vessels. Approximately 30 percent of all dredged material will be beneficially reused for public beach nourishment on Cape Cod. Applications for the 2023 grant round were evaluated by the Executive Office of Economic Development in collaboration with CZM and SEC. This year’s dredging grantees include:

• Barnstable - $300,000 for dredging of the entrance and embayment channels in Cotuit Bay.
• Chatham - $500,000 for dredging of Stage Harbor’s channel and Bridge Street pier.
• Harwich - $50,000 for dredging sand from the Allen Harbor entrance channel.
• Marshfield - $400,000 to dredge material from Green Harbor’s fish piers.
• Mattapoisett - $20,000 for dredging material from Holmes Wharf basin in Mattapoisett Harbor.
• Orleans and Eastham - $1,300,000 to dredge material from Rock Harbor’s channel.
• Wellfleet - $2,500,000 for dredging the South Anchorage in Wellfleet Harbor.

Project Review

MEPA Review - CZM reviewed more than 90 projects submitted to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act office in 2023. The following is a sampling:

• SouthCoast Wind 1 Project - Both a DEIR and a Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) were submitted to MEPA to install approximately 2.1 miles of subsea offshore export cable routing, approximately 0.6 miles of underground onshore export cable routing, a new onshore High Voltage Direct Current converter station, and underground onshore High Voltage Alternating Current transmission lines to connect to a wind energy project in federal waters. The subject of this FEIR is part of a larger project to permit a 1,200 megawatt (MW) offshore wind development under the jurisdiction of BOEM. The FEIR describes project elements within state waters, including portions of the offshore export cables, onshore transmission, and substation, and the interconnection to the electrical grid at the existing 345-kilovolt (kV) substation. CZM comments addressed the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan performance standards, species of concern, cable laying process, monitoring plans, fisheries mitigation, and underwater archaeological resources.
• Salem Wind Port Project - This project entails the construction of a marshaling site to support offshore wind development, reconstruction of the existing 685-foot-long loadout wharf, and construction of a new 660-foot-long delivery pier. The project also includes dredging 80,170 cubic yards of sediment from a 21.3-acre area in the existing turning basin, dredging of the berth at the existing 685-foot-long wharf, and ground improvements to allow for the storage and transport of wind turbine generator components. The 42.3-acre project site will include two laydown areas totaling 32.5 acres, a three-acre transition yard, a parking lot for 195 vehicles and a trailer to be used as an office, a 3,000-square foot shed, and an office trailer near the loadout wharf. CZM comments addressed the buffers between the project site and adjacent properties, dredging of the existing turning basin, floodplain function, and coastal resiliency.
• New England Wind Connector 2 (NEW2) Project - A DEIR was submitted to MEPA for the proposed NEW2 Connector project, which constitutes the Massachusetts-jurisdictional elements of the Commonwealth Wind project and includes three offshore export cables, onshore export cables, and the new onshore substation. The three offshore export cables are proposed to be installed within an Offshore Export Cable Corridor that travels from the northwestern corner of the Lease Area to the landfall site within a paved parking lot located at Dowses Beach in Barnstable. The Commonwealth Wind project is an offshore wind energy generation facility proposed in federal waters within the southern portion of BOEM Lease Area OCS-A 0534 and would produce up to 1,232 MW annual renewable energy. Major elements of the Commonwealth Wind project include wind turbine generators (WTGs) and foundations, offshore electrical service platforms and foundations, inter-array cables, three offshore export cables, onshore export cables, and an onshore substation that will step up transmission voltage to 345 kV for interconnection with the regional power grid at the existing 345 kV West Barnstable substation. CZM comments addressed the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan performance standards, species of concern, cable protection, coastal resource areas and resilience, monitoring plans, fisheries mitigation, and underwater archaeological resources.

Federal Consistency Review - In addition to state-level project review, CZM performs federal consistency review—the review of federal projects (including those requiring federal permits or receiving federal money) to ensure that they meet state standards. CZM issued more than 110 federal consistency review decisions in 2023, including:

• Park City Wind LLC Project - CZM completed a federal consistency review for this project. Park City Wind, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Avangrid Renewables, LLC, is the project proponent and will be responsible for the construction, operation, and decommissioning of the New England Wind (NEW) offshore wind renewable energy project. The project proposes to develop offshore renewable wind energy facilities in the BOEM Lease Area OCS-A 0534 and the southwest portion of Lease Area OCS-A 0501, referred to as the Southern Wind Development Area, along with associated offshore and onshore cabling, onshore substations, electric service platforms, and onshore Operations and Management facilities. To inform the federal consistency review, CZM reviewed the: Construction and Operations Plan, Draft EIS, and Preliminary Final EIS developed under NEPA; Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) federal consistency certification; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Clean Water Act Section 404/Section 10 permit application; and lease/easement/right-of-way application to BOEM under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. CZM issued full concurrence for the NEW BOEM Construction and Operations Plan and conditional concurrence for the USACE Section 10 permit, including conditions that Park City Wind, LLC, shall obtain and provide to CZM the required signed final MassDEP Chapter 91 license and §401 Water Quality Certifications.
• Sunrise Wind Farm Project - CZM completed a federal consistency review and issued concurrence for the proposed project to build, operate, and decommission the Sunrise Wind Farm (SRWF), which includes up to 84 WTGs with a capacity of between 8 and 11 MW per turbine, up to 87 possible positions for the WTGs and offshore converter station (OCS-DC), up to 180 statute miles of inter-array cables between the WTGs, OCS-DC, and one direct current (DC) submarine export cable bundle (SRWEC) comprised of two cables located within an up to 104.6 mile-long corridor, all of which will be located within federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), specifically in the BOEM Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0487. The SRWEC, a DC electric cable, will connect the SRWF to the existing mainland electric grid at Holbrook substation in Brookhaven, New York. To inform the federal consistency review, CZM reviewed the Construction and Operations Plan, DEIS, and Preliminary Final EIS developed under NEPA and reviewed the federal consistency certification, USACE Clean Water Act Section 404/Section 10 permit application, EPA NPDES permit, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act lease/easement/right-of-way application to BOEM under CZMA.
• Revolution Wind Farm Project - CZM completed a federal consistency review and issued concurrence for the proposed Revolution Wind Farm (RWWF) project to build, operate, and decommission a 704-880 MW offshore wind energy facility with 79 wind turbine locations for installation of up to 65 WTGs, submarine cables between the WTGs (inter-array cables), and two offshore substations—all to be located within federal waters on the OCS, specifically in the BOEM Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0486. Up to two Revolution Wind Export Cables (co-located within a single corridor through both federal waters and state waters of Rhode Island) consisting of alternating current electric cables will connect the RWWF to the existing mainland electric grid at the Davisville substation in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. To inform the federal consistency review, CZM reviewed the Construction and Operations Plan, DEIS, and Preliminary FEIS developed under NEPA and the federal consistency certification, USACE Clean Water Act Section 404/Section 10 permit application, and Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act lease/easement/right-of-way application to BOEM under CZMA.
• Draft Wind Energy Areas - Commercial Leasing for Wind Power Development on the Gulf of Maine OCS Project - CZM submitted comments at the request of BOEM on the Draft WEA for offshore wind in the Gulf of Maine. CZM comments addressed the development of floating offshore wind, existing ocean resources and uses, planning and siting process, identification of cable corridors, and potential impacts on fisheries.
• Additional Federal Consistency Review - Other major projects receiving CZM federal consistency concurrences include: Town of Sandwich Boardwalk Structure Improvements; Town of Falmouth Comprehensive Dredging and Beach Nourishment Permit; Town of Duxbury Gurney Road Beach and Dune Nourishment; Demolition of Hoosac Store, Charlestown Navy Yard; EPA NPDES Permit for Small Wastewater Treatment Facilities; Essex River Federal Navigation Dredge Project; Revolution Wind Farm; U.S. Air Force Cliff Stabilization and Road Repair at Fourth Cliff Recreation Area; Rock Harbor Maintenance Dredging; Lighthouse Pond Tidal Flow Improvement; Governors Academy Wastewater Treatment Plant NPDES Permit; Cuttyhunk Harbor Maintenance Dredging; Green Harbor Maintenance and Improvement Dredging; and Bourne Comprehensive Dredging Permit.

Communications and Publications

Eelgrass Mapping Report and Story Map - In October, MassBays and CZM released Increasing agency confidence in eelgrass maps used for project review and ocean planning (PDF, 56 MB), the final technical report for the 18-month project that assessed different methods of mapping eelgrass, which was funded by a NOAA Project of Special Merit grant. In this study, drone, airplane, satellite, and side scan sonar missions were conducted alongside SCUBA diver and photo ground-truthing surveys at five Massachusetts eelgrass meadows. Results showed that all remote sensing methods under-mapped eelgrass, especially at the deep edge, and map accuracy generally decreased with decreasing imagery resolution. For detailed descriptions, maps, photographs, videos, and slideshow features of the eelgrass mapping project, including new results and management recommendations sections, check out the updated Comparison of Eelgrass Mapping Methods Story Map.

Stormwater Solutions Fact Sheets - CZM released two fact sheets to complete the Stormwater Solutions for Homeowners website—adding to the variety of options available for controlling runoff and reducing stormwater contamination to help protect local waters. Preventing Erosion provides techniques that help slow and redirect stormwater, reducing erosion and capturing sediments and attached pollutants on site. Vegetated Swales includes detailed information on how best to design, build, and plant vegetated swales, which are channels with moisture-loving plants and amended soils that intercept, treat, and slowly convey stormwater runoff. Other fact sheets on the website include Vegetated Buffers, “Green” Lawn and Garden Practices, Rain Gardens, Reducing Impervious Surfaces, and Minimizing Contaminants. Each fact sheet includes information on the technique’s benefits; recommended guidelines for locating, designing, implementing, and maintaining specific practices; and a brief overview of regulatory and permitting requirements. Step-by-step instructional guidelines, photos, and figures allow homeowners to select appropriate approaches to help protect local water quality, reduce flooding, and improve wildlife habitats.

Blog on the Spaghetti Bryozoan - This summer, Avril Lynch served as a Marine Invasive Species Intern with CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Team—working on the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative, 2023 Rapid Assessment Survey, and other initiatives. As part of her work, she did a literature review on the potentially invasive Amathia verticillata, also known as the Spaghetti Bryozoan, and wrote this blog, Profile of a Marine Invasive Species - Meet the Spaghetti Bryozoan.

CZ-Tip on Protecting Rare Wildlife and Plant Species on the Massachusetts Coast - Massachusetts is home to more than 400 native species that are at risk, or potentially at risk, of extinction. Coastal animals in significant need of protection include the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, Atlantic Sturgeon, Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle, and Short-eared Owl. Coastal plants include Seabeach Amaranth, Sandplain Gerardia, and Sweet Bay Magnolia. To learn how to protect these and other at-risk species and their coastal habitats, see CZ-Tip - Help Protect At-Risk Wildlife and Plants in Massachusetts Coastal Habitats.

CZM Regional Offices

CZM works closely with communities to support local coastal management—an effort led by CZM’s Regional Coordinators, who serve as liaisons between federal and state programs and municipal authorities, coordinate regional initiatives, perform federal consistency review, and provide technical assistance. Each region’s 2023 accomplishments are provided below.

North Shore (Salisbury to Revere) - CZM continued to provide North Shore communities with direct technical assistance and pre-application permitting guidance on topics including development and redevelopment in floodplains, improving resilience to climate change impacts, coastal resource restoration, coastal bank erosion, flooding, and port planning. CZM provided technical assistance on four FY 2023 Coastal Resilience grant projects that wrapped up in June, including Manchester-by-the-Sea’s development of a conceptual action plan to reduce coastal flood risks in the downtown inner harbor waterfront, Mass Audubon’s shoreline restoration and infrastructure adaptation feasibility study at Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary in Gloucester, permitting feasibility for The Trustees of Reservations and the Town of Ipswich on the Argilla Road resilience project, and Nahant’s evaluation of strategies for shore and coastal bank protection at Forty Steps Beach. CZM continued to provide technical assistance to three ongoing FY 2023 projects: Salem’s analysis of current and future climate impacts on the Palmer Cove area, the permitting phase for resiliency improvements at the Marblehead Municipal Light Department and adjacent public lands, and the House of Seven Gables adaption plan to improve resilience of that historic site to anticipated climate change impacts. CZM also collaborated with municipal officials to develop project ideas for the FY 2024 Coastal Resilience grant round—resulting in four new awards on the North Shore, including new projects in Beverly and Salem and implementation of previous planning efforts in Manchester-by-the-Sea and Nahant. CZM continued to work with MVP Regional Coordinators to provide technical assistance as needed for MVP Planning and Action Grants for the North Shore region. CZM worked with partners from the Great Marsh Coalition to raise awareness of issues facing the marsh and to improve the resilience of the marsh and its communities. CZM also continues to partner with members of the Parker Ipswich Essex Rivers Restoration Partnership team (PIE Rivers) to work toward protection and increased awareness of the importance of these watersheds to the health and resilience of the Great Marsh and to help assist local communities. In December, CZM participated in a panel discussion, Finding Resources to Meet Future Challenges, at the PIE Rivers Annual Meeting at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. CZM also continues to facilitate the listserv for the North Shore Regional Conservation Commission Network in partnership with the MassDEP Northeast Regional Office Circuit Rider. This network links more than 50 local community staff and commission members for collaboration and problem-solving and provides timely information on coastal issues, training opportunities, and grant postings.

Boston Harbor (Winthrop to Weymouth) - CZM continued to provide technical assistance, pre-application permitting guidance, and port planning support to the Boston Harbor region. For example, CZM provided the Winthrop Conservation Commission with technical assistance on preserving, protecting, developing, and enhancing coastal resources consistent with CZM coastal policies and the Wetland Regulations administered by MassDEP. CZM also provided pre-application permitting guidance to companies seeking to develop and invest in different areas along Boston Harbor—such as initiating a pre-application meeting with state agencies and the company seeking to rebuild piers and bulkheads and build new buildings and public amenities in the East Boston Shipyard, positioned in the DPA, to ensure the unique permitting requirements were fully understood. For Coastal Resilience Grants, CZM continued its support for the Watson Park Shoreline Stabilization Project and supported the Dorchester Resilient Waterfront Project at Tenean Beach/Conley Street, which is working on potential solutions for future flooding events. In addition, CZM represented EEA on the Fort Point Channel Operations Board, providing support for Board efforts in determining how to take better advantage of the Fort Point Channel’s potential. Also, CZM participated on the Evaluation Team for the City of Boston’s Resilient Border Street Waterfront Project Request for Proposals Review Committee. In this role, CZM evaluated proposals submitted to the city and is conducting interviews with applicants to help inform the process of selecting a candidate. Lastly, CZM participated in the Mass Bay Harbor Safety Committee quarterly meeting to discuss DPAs and other relevant port-related topics, such as safety, efficiency, preservation, and improvement of the transit and usage of the regional waterway system.

South Shore (Hingham to Plymouth) - CZM provided technical, grant application, wetland and water quality monitoring, and coordination assistance to several regionally significant wetland restoration, stewardship, and shoreline protection projects on the South Shore this year. CZM continued to partner with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), MassBays, Mass Audubon, and municipal stakeholders to convene and facilitate periodic meetings of a regional coastal resiliency informational sharing network to discuss local initiatives, needs for future activities, and opportunities for inter-municipal and regional-scale efforts. For example, CZM provided an overview presentation on the updated Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS) web-based GIS platform, which included a tutorial on the functionality of the tools and a demonstration on how MORIS can be used for the review of a project application. CZM provided technical, coordination, and facilitation assistance for Coastal Resilience Grants awarded to Cohasset, the Duxbury Beach Reservation, Inc. (DBR), Duxbury and Marshfield, Hingham, Plymouth, and Scituate. CZM participated in the “Dune Debut” public event to celebrate the successful completion of the DBR Pavilion Dune and Beach Nourishment project and joined in the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the achievement. Through the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants, CZM supported the Elm Street BMP implementation project, which focused on mitigation of stormwater discharge to the Jones River and the Jones River Habitat Assessment. Both projects were successfully completed this past summer. CZM provided technical assistance to several communities on a wide range of issues including a resilience initiative for the Hampton Circle neighborhood in Hull, seaweed management in Cohasset, impacts to salt marsh in Hingham, and project pre-application meetings in Scituate and Duxbury to provide guidance and feedback on design and resource area impact considerations for coastal infrastructure initiatives. Lastly, CZM continued ongoing investigations of post-restoration ecology of Straits Pond (in Cohasset, Hingham, and Hull) and Green Harbor River in Marshfield, focusing on tide gate management through the projects’ interagency Technical Advisory Committees. As part of this work, CZM participated in an interagency field visit at Straits Pond associated with the MassBays programmatic review to provide an overview of issues associated with tide gates, including design, permitting, and ongoing operation using the Straits Pond project as a relevant case study.

Cape Cod and Islands (Bourne to Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Gosnold) - CZM worked closely with many of the 23 communities in the region this year, providing direct technical assistance on a variety of coastal issues, including: impacts from coastal flooding and implementation of measures to improve coastal resilience, coastal erosion and beach management, water quality monitoring, stormwater management, harbor planning, and dredging. CZM worked with representatives from Oak Bluffs, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Eastham, Gosnold, Orleans, Provincetown, Tisbury, Truro, Wellfleet, and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) to implement Coastal Resilience Grant projects funded in the FY 2023/24 grant rounds. Projects include regional planning, design and permitting, and both large- and small-scale implementation efforts. CZM continued to serve on the Barnstable County Coastal Committee, which helps coordinate state, local, and county coastal management initiatives; as co-chair of the Barnstable County Coastal Management Committee; and as a member of the Barnstable County Dredge Program (BCDP), acting as a liaison between the BCDP and state and federal permitting agencies. CZM worked directly with conservation commissions and agents throughout the region and continued to co-chair the Cape and Islands Conservation Commission Network. CZM participated in the grant review process for the 2024 MVP grants for the region and on the Herring River Restoration Regulatory Oversight Group. Early this year, CZM began planning the Nantucket Coastal Conference in coordination with team members from the Town of Nantucket, WHOI Sea Grant, and Barnstable County. The conference focused on climate change impacts, flood protection, and coastal resilience, along with a keynote presentation, Sea Level Rise from Global to Local: The Decisive Decade for Coastal Communities, by WHOI’s Dr. Sarah Das. More than 100 participants from Nantucket and coastal Massachusetts attended. CZM provided project-specific technical assistance to conservation commissions in Edgartown, Mashpee, Falmouth, Harwich, Provincetown, Oak Bluffs, and Sandwich. Lastly, CZM continued to serve on several additional boards and committees, including the Pleasant Bay Coastal Resource Workgroup and WHOI Sea Grant Marine Outreach Guidance Group.

South Coastal (Wareham to Seekonk) - CZM worked closely with South Coastal communities on three FY 2023 Coastal Resilience Grants: Wareham’s grant to design a resilient Main Street, Mattapoisett’s grant to design an emergency bypass off Old Slough Road, and New Bedford’s grant to increase resiliency on West Rodney French Boulevard. CZM is also in the process of starting two new Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Grants located in Mattapoisett and Swansea. CZM continued to work closely with the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) through participation on the Buzzards Bay NEP Steering Committee and its municipal grant review and selection committee. Throughout the year, CZM also provided technical assistance on many other state and federal grant programs. CZM regularly attended meetings of the Buzzards Bay Action Committee and Buzzards Bay Watershed Restoration Partnership Stakeholder Group to help facilitate CZM’s liaison function with coastal communities. CZM reviewed all MEPA projects within the South Coastal Region, and where appropriate, provided comments. CZM continued working with the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as part of the Technical Working Group focusing on restoration of the Roseate Tern habitat on Ram Island in Mattapoisett.

Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program

CZM hosts and administers the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP), which works to protect and restore water quality and living resources in Buzzards Bay and its watershed. The program’s highlights from 2023 are included below.

Water Quality Grant Awards - In April, the Buzzards Bay NEP announced $808,500 in federally funded grant awards for projects that will improve water quality in the Buzzards Bay watershed by upgrading wastewater treatment plants and reducing stormwater runoff pollution with funding from EPA pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The three grants are leveraging $484,000 in local cash and in-kind services. See the Press Release for details, along with this article on CapeCod.com: Bourne gets state money for Queen Sewell Pond cleaning. The following grants were awarded:

• Bourne - $183,500 to hire an engineering firm to design stormwater treatment options to address nutrient and bacteria loading to Queen Sewell Pond, which has caused beach closures due to harmful algal blooms and elevated bacteria levels.
• Dartmouth - $250,000 to make modifications to the town’s wastewater treatment facility to better meet permitted discharge limits for certain pollutants and significantly reduce nitrogen discharges to Buzzards Bay, potentially removing more than 100,000 pounds of nitrogen pollution each year.
• New Bedford - $375,000 to complete Phase II of the Buttonwood Park stormwater management project, which will address sediment erosion and pollutant discharges from the Buttonwood Senior Center property and nearby neighborhoods, including waste from a large Canada geese population.

Grant Awards for Water Quality and Habitat Improvement - In October, the Buzzards Bay NEP released $558,531 in federally funded grant awards for projects that will improve water quality and habitat in the Buzzards Bay watershed with funding from EPA pursuant to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The grants also leverage $336,000 in local, state, and federal funds and in-kind services and help meet climate resilience and environmental equity goals of the Commonwealth. See the Press Release for more information. For press coverage, see: Studies on nitrogen reduction in sewage receive funding from Wareham Week; 4 Mass. towns get $550K to help protect Buzzards Bay Watershed from MassLive.com; and $558,531 granted for Buzzards Bay water quality and habitat projects: Fairhaven, New Bedford, Wareham, and Westport benefit from Hoodline. The following communities received funding:

• Fairhaven - $125,000 to improve water quality in Outer New Bedford-Fairhaven Harbor by reducing pollution from stormwater runoff. The grant will fund stormwater retrofits including green infrastructure designs to treat road runoff from Jerusalem Road and leverage other state funding. The runoff currently discharges to a shellfish growing area, causing the area to be closed periodically to shellfishing after rainfall.
• New Bedford - $93,531, in partnership with Groundwork Southcoast, to hire an engineering firm to conduct a feasibility study and develop design plans for creating salt marsh habitat in a manmade pond in Riverside Park. The pond is currently overgrown with invasive species and is often used as a dumping ground. The project will return the area to a natural state and create tidal exchange with the Acushnet River. Groundwork Southcoast and their Green Team, which employs area youth, will work with the city and residents to build environmental stewardship and help ensure that designs for the popular waterfront park meet community needs and environmental sustainability goals.
• Wareham - $275,000, in partnership with the Marine Biological Laboratory, to scale up prior pilot studies that showed nitrogen levels can be lowered and effluent quality significantly improved at the Wareham Water Pollution Facility by passing effluent through biofilters composed of wood chip media. The proposed Phase 2 field trials will explore how earlier pilot experiments can be scaled to 40-foot-long reactors and will calculate flow rates and infrastructure needed to handle daily flows. The municipal facility currently has stringent nitrogen limits imposed on its discharge, and the new bioreactor technology, which is more cost effective than other approaches, would help the town further reduce its nitrogen loading to coastal waters. If successful, the new technology will allow for the increased capacity of the wastewater facility and much needed expansion of sewering in the town.
• Wareham - $40,000, in partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition, to assess the feasibility of constructing a neighborhood-scale wastewater system, with the purpose of reducing nitrogen pollution from onsite septic systems near Little Harbor Beach on Great Neck. The study will identify potential nearby town-owned property outside the flood zone where the facility might be sited.
• Westport - $25,000 to hire a consultant to assist the town with monitoring and investigating municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) discharges to comply with its federal stormwater permit. The proposed work will safeguard waterbodies and groundwater by assisting with control of polluted stormwater runoff, which is a major cause of water quality impairments in the town.

Report on Salt Marsh Health in Buzzards Bay - The Buzzards Bay Coalition, Buzzards Bay NEP, Woodwell Climate Research Center, and USGS have released Buzzards Bay Salt Marshes: Vulnerability and Adaptation Potential, a report on monitoring data on salt marsh loss from 12 sites in Buzzards Bay. Some sites measured up to 20 percent loss over the 18-year period, largely due to climate-driven sea level rise inundating low marsh elevations. See the Buzzards Bay Coalition Special Reports page for a link to the report.

Buzzards Bay Targeted Grants - With funding from the Southern New England Program’s (SNEP) Clean Water Act Section 320 funds and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds, the Buzzards Bay NEP was able to provide this targeted grant support:

• Baywatchers Program - The NEP continued to support the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Baywatchers water quality monitoring program with a $60,000 grant. For 31 years, Baywatchers has collected basic water quality, nutrient, and algal pigment information around Buzzards Bay during the summer and educated the public on local water quality. Since 1992, this effort has directly engaged more than 1,000 citizen scientists and has resulted in an impressive dataset of long-term trends for the ecological health of over 200 locations around the Bay.
• Nutrient Inputs to Buzzards Bay from Coastal Rivers - Discharges of nitrogen and phosphorus into coastal rivers are a major source of these nutrients in Buzzards Bay. Although the water quality in the estuarine embayments has been monitored for 31 years as part of the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Baywatchers program, the nutrient input contributed by rivers remains poorly understood. Quantifying nutrient flows from rivers is important for validating watershed pollutant loading models and for understanding how residential and commercial development, land and agricultural management, and ecological restoration activities influence nutrient delivery to Buzzards Bay. Because climate change will bring increasingly variable precipitation to the Northeast, understanding river-borne sources of nutrients to Buzzards Bay will be critical to addressing nutrient loads to the Bay in the future. With a $45,948 award to the Woodwell Climate Research Center of Woods Hole this summer, this river monitoring effort, led by Woodwell scientist Chris Neil, will continue for a third year. This funding helped pay for continuous monitoring equipment and laboratory testing to measure nitrogen inputs to Buzzards Bay from coastal rivers.
• Buzzards Bay Long-Term Salt Marsh Study - Salt marshes in Buzzards Bay play a vital role by providing habitat, regulating water quality, and stabilizing coastlines. In recent years, many coastal communities have experienced degradation or loss of salt marshes. To better understand and halt this trend, the Buzzards Bay NEP continued for a fourth year to provide technical support to the Buzzards Bay Coalition and scientists at the Woodwell Climate Research Center to track salt marsh loss in Buzzards Bay principally caused by factors related to climate change. The NEP is interpreting historical aerial photographs and processing elevation data from Global Positioning System (GPS) and field surveys. In 2023, the UMass Dartmouth Civil and Environmental Engineering program, with students of Professor Dan MacDonald, continued their effort for a second year. A $53,308 award for this project enabled UMass Dartmouth to conduct field surveys using Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The imagery will be processed with photogrammetry software to generate highly detailed Digital Surface Models and georectified true color imagery. UMass Dartmouth will use existing National Geodetic Survey rod benchmarks installed by the Buzzards Bay NEP as elevation controls. The work will continue through 2024. For more information on the marsh studies, see this Buzzards Bay NEP web post.
• New Bedford Public Schools Sea Lab Summer Program - The Sea Lab Marine Science Education Center is a New Bedford Public Schools summer school program supported through tuition and the Local Education Agency. One of the fundamental elements of the Sea Lab program is a focus on providing educational equity for all public-school students. For a second year, the NEP supported the program with a $22,604 award for Sea Lab. The funding provides scholarships to up to 40 financially disadvantaged students in support of Environmental Justice goals and funds a field trip to Cuttyhunk Island in Buzzards Bay, a whale watch off Cape Cod, and various supplies and instructional aids for the program.
• Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative - The Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative is a partnership between the NEP, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), and eight Buzzards Bay watershed municipalities (Acushnet, Bourne, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, Wareham, and Westport). The focus of the collaborative is to monitor stormwater discharges and map stormwater networks (particularly those contributing to shellfish beds closures) and other municipal stormwater discharges covered under federal MS4 stormwater permits. In December, the NEP continued its support with a $127,042 award to MMA using EPA funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support an MMA program manager and certain administrative costs of MMA co-op students in the program. The students are funded directly by the municipalities in the Collaborative. In 2023, local contributions totaled $79,500 cash, plus municipal in-kind services from staff working with students in the field collecting samples. The Buzzards Bay NEP continues to provide technical oversight, GIS management, data processing and analysis, and free laboratory testing services to municipalities in the Stormwater Collaborative. Training videos for the program can be found at the Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative YouTube channel. For additional information, including an updated interactive map of stormwater infrastructure and discharge water quality data, see the Buzzards Bay Stormwater Collaborative page.

Technical Assistance - The Buzzards Bay NEP continued to assist municipalities and other partners with GIS analysis, proposal development, review of local projects, and training and support for municipal stormwater MS4 permit compliance. The NEP provided more than 650 map and GIS products to the Buzzards Bay Coalition, area land trusts, and municipalities in their efforts to protect important habitat and open space in Buzzards Bay. The Buzzards Bay NEP continues to work with the Buzzards Bay Coalition Science Advisory Committee and a team of scientists in Woods Hole to identify pressing issues related to climate change, nitrogen and toxic pollution, and loss of wetlands habitat and living resources in Buzzards Bay.

Southern New England Program Support - The Buzzards Bay NEP is an advising partner to EPA in implementing SNEP and is a supporting partner to several SNEP and MassDEP grant awards.

• Watershed Assessment - The Buzzards Bay NEP is continuing its support of a five-year watershed protection effort on Apponagansett Bay by the Buzzards Bay Coalition funded under the SNEP Pilot Watershed Initiative. The SNEP funding has helped the Town of Dartmouth and City of New Bedford identify and prioritize sources of watershed impairments and develop solutions to address stream alteration and nutrient loading in an urbanized section of the Buttonwood Brook-Apponagansett Bay area of Massachusetts. The Buzzards Bay NEP is supporting the effort by providing land use analysis and GIS services during the five-year project to support total maximum daily load (TMDL) development. The program has paid dividends in generating three additional infrastructure grants totaling more than $1 million dollars from state and federal agencies.
• TMDL Assessment - The NEP is continuing to work with the Town of Bourne and the Buzzards Bay Coalition on a MassDEP 604(b) grant to conduct a TMDL assessment for Red Brook Harbor Phinneys Harbor Complex in the Town of Bourne. The NEP tasks include conducting GIS analyses of watershed land use, including the number of onsite systems; determining occupancy rates for census data; and determining land use types, including estimates of impervious area, lawn area, extent of sewering, and assessment of pollutant loadings.
• Runnel Study - The NEP is continuing to provide technical support to a Runnel Study that is a collaboration between Towson University, the Woodwell Climate Center, and the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Scientists are looking at how the use of runnels—constructed shallow drainage meanders—may promote revegetation in upper areas of salt marsh that are dying off from standing water. The results of this work will help town officials and state and federal mangers develop possible mitigation strategies to protect and restore salt marshes. The NEP is documenting changes in marsh boundaries and processing GPS and elevation data for the study. Assistant Professor Alice Besterman of Towson University is lead investigator.

Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources

CZM also hosts the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR), which is the sole trustee of the Commonwealth’s underwater cultural heritage and is charged with encouraging the discovery, reporting, interpretation, and protection of these resources. BUAR accomplishments in 2023 are below.

Underwater Archaeological Resources in Regional Coastal and Ocean Planning - NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management awarded CZM and BUAR $104,845 in Project of Special Merit funding to complete a project assessing the vulnerability of Massachusetts coastal cultural resources from coastal hazards and sea level rise. The project directly addresses priorities documented in CZM’s approved Section 309 Assessment and Five-Year Strategy for CZM Program Enhancement (FY 2021-2025). Results from the project will assist CZM, BUAR, and other federal, state, local, and Tribal government agencies in better-informed management and decision-making regarding prioritization of adaptive management options for areas that include coastal cultural resources as part of an overall coastal management strategy. In 2023, BUAR also contributed information concerning underwater archaeological resources used to update the State Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (SHMCAP) and participated in multiple meetings as an invited member of NROC’s newly established Submerged Archaeological and Cultural Resources Workgroup.

Publications and Press - This year, the journal Historical Archaeology, the leading publication in the study of the archaeology of the modern era, published “Rising Waters and Coastal Maritime Heritage at Risk in Massachusetts: A Warning from the Ada K. Damon Shipwreck Site.” This peer-reviewed journal article, co-authored by the BUAR Director with colleagues from WHOI and the Massachusetts Archaeological Society (MAS), focuses on the vulnerability of Massachusetts coastal maritime heritage to sea level rise and erosion. BUAR also provided interviews for digital- and print-edition Boston Globe articles on the BUAR-investigated site of the 1884 schooner, Warren Sawyer, exposed on Nantucket’s south shore in late 2022. See: Shipwreck fragments were found on Nantucket. Here’s what researchers learned. Reports on the wreck also appeared in national and international online news outlets, including: Shipwreck fragment discovered along Nantucket’s eastern shoreline, South shore shipwreck believed to be the 19^th century schooner Warren Sawyer, and New remains of 1884 shipwreck discovered on south shore from the Nantucket Current; Wreck of ship lost to storm 139 years ago washes up on Massachusetts beach in Newsweek; and Raised from the depths: Massachusetts woman stumbles across the remains of 1884 shipwreck on beach - 140 years after it sank in monster storm on the way to Boston in the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail.com. As part of their collaborative investigation of the site, BUAR worked with the Egan Maritime Institute on Nantucket and was interviewed for their Time and Tide Podcasts in two episodes featuring the Warren Sawyer shipwreck: South Shore Shipwreck Part 1: The Find and South Shore Shipwreck Part 2: The Survey.

Field Investigations - BUAR undertook field investigations and provided technical expertise on 12 different underwater and intertidal archaeological sites, ancient submerged cultural landscapes, and artifacts located in Chatham, Duxbury, Essex, Gloucester, Ipswich, Nantucket, New Salem, Plymouth, Quincy, and Revere. The sites were situated in offshore, coastal, intertidal, and inland waters and included discoveries made by the public while walking and kayaking along the shore, commercial fishermen working in shallow and intertidal nearshore waters, and recreational scuba divers exploring offshore waters, as well as those that were reported by staff of The Trustees of Reservations and state and local agency representatives. Sites and artifacts that were investigated/documented included wooden duck-blind barrels, a stone fish-weir, wooden ship remains, a tide mill, and exposed areas of submerged and intertidal ancient submerged cultural landscapes. BUAR’s field investigations included ongoing periodic monitoring of site conditions at four shipwreck sites recently and/or currently being exposed and impacted by shoreline change/coastal erosion. BUAR also completed a field program of wood sampling and coordinated with Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory for the dendrochronological dating of the remains of a wooden ship hypothesized to be the British armed schooner, HMS Diana, captured and burned by American forces during the 1775 Revolutionary War Battle of Chelsea Creek. At the request of the New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources, BUAR also provided technical assistance in the documentation of the exposed remains of the wooden schooner, Lizzie Carr, in Rye, New Hampshire.

Maritime Heritage Presentations and Educational Programs - BUAR gave 13 public and professional presentations (in person and via remote access) on a variety of maritime heritage-related topics and participated in multiple meetings and programs throughout Massachusetts and southern New England, as well as national and Indigenous community forums. Topics covered included Massachusetts underwater archaeology, shipwrecks, and submerged ancient cultural landscapes, Tribal consultation, and the threat to Massachusetts coastal heritage resources from erosion exacerbated by sea level rise. Presentations were given to Massachusetts dive clubs (MetroWest Dive Club and the South Shore Neptunes), community organizations and museums (Bay State Council of Divers, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, Hull Life Saving Museum, Mystic Seaport, New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative [NEOSEC], and Robbins Museum of Archaeology), and Tribes and Indigenous organizations (Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head [Aquinnah], and Indigenous Resources Collaborative [IRC]). A free public lecture and discussion was co-presented by BUAR, a Hassanamisco Nipmuc Band Tribal member, and MAS president as part of the Worcester Public Library’s Local History Lecture Series. BUAR also assisted MAS in the preparation and delivery of their free-to-the-public Wampanoag Heritage Day special event at their Robbins Museum. BUAR continued to co-lead and participate in public education and interactive tours of maritime heritage sites on the North Shore for primary- and middle-school-age students, families, and adults as part of BUAR and The Trustees of Reservations educational Shipwreck Scholars and Sunset Maritime Archaeology Talk & Walk special events programming. These BUAR/Trustees educational programs and special events were offered throughout the year and during Massachusetts Archaeology Month. BUAR co-presented with The Trustees on the Shipwreck Scholars Program at the 2023 NEOSEC Ocean Literacy Summit with the theme, “Connecting Climate, Communities, and Coasts.” A presentation on underwater archaeology was also given by BUAR to graduate students and early-career faculty participants in Mystic Seaport’s 2023 Munson Institute project and program, Reimagining New England: Historical Injustice, Sovereignty and Freedom, offered in collaboration with Brown University’s Center for the Study of Slavery & Justice and William’s College. BUAR also continued interacting regularly with the public by serving periodically on weekends as a volunteer museum docent at the Robbins Museum, as part of BUAR’s service as a Trustee of MAS.

Tribal Engagement and Coordination - BUAR continued working on relationship-building and active engagement with the Indigenous community in Massachusetts and the New England region. Efforts included: multiple meetings with the Plymouth-based IRC to develop a joint, multi-vocal BUAR-IRC public presentation on submerged ancient cultural landscapes and what Indigenous history and science and underwater geoarchaeology tells us about them; invited participation in an on-site meeting in Rhode Island with the BOEM Federal Preservation Officer and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers from Massachusetts and Connecticut; continued coordination with BOEM and the Massachusetts federally recognized Tribes regarding BOEM’s Capacity Building and Collaboration with the Aquinnah and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribes Project; and acting as a bridge between non-Indigenous agency staff members and Tribal representatives to facilitate introductions and open communication.

Public Meetings and Archaeological Permitting - The Board resumed in-person public meetings and adopted a hybrid (in-person and remote access) meeting format. Four public meetings were held between March and November. During 2023, BUAR worked with 21 different permittees and administered 31 separate BUAR archaeological permits for areas in 43 Massachusetts cities and towns. Of these permits, 17 were BUAR Special Use Permits, 12 were Reconnaissance Permits, and two were Excavation Permits.

Staff & People

In looking back over the year, CZM said goodbye to three retiring team members, welcomed new staff, congratulated staff in new positions, and hosted a summer intern.

CZM Grants Specialist - In April, Vesper Williams, Grants Specialist and Fiscal staff member, retired after 28 years at CZM. Vesper began in a temporary role at CZM and progressed up to the grants management position, serving for many years as CZM’s accountant. Vesper could always be counted on for helping staff with any finance or contract issue, as well as for her kind words, moral support, and tasty treats with Jamaican flare.

CZM Administrative Assistant - In June, Denise Cavalieri retired after 44 years as an Administrative Assistant at CZM. In 2000, Denise was awarded the Commonwealth Citation for Outstanding Performance for her excellent work ethic and supportive attitude. Denise also served on CZM’s COASTSWEEP beach cleanup team, assisting with coordinating cleanups and ensuring volunteers had the supplies and information they needed. Day in and day out for decades, Denise could be counted on to get the job done, no matter how challenging, and always with a smile and a proactive approach.

CZM Project Review Coordinator, Dredging Coordinator, and Public Records Access Officer - In September, Bob Boeri, who served as CZM’s Project Review Coordinator, Dredging Coordinator, and Public Records Access Officer, retired after 17 years at CZM. Hired in 2006 as Dredging Coordinator, he stepped in as Acting Project Review Coordinator in 2007, and then became Project Review Coordinator later that year. He maintained all three of his roles while also serving as Acting Assistant Director in 2019. In 2022, in recognition of his extraordinary willingness to actively help out and amiably bring together diverse teams to tackle any coastal issue, Bob received the prestigious Susan Snow-Cotter Leadership Award from the Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment for his dedication to the coastal profession. Beyond professionalism, Bob’s open and friendly nature has been central to the culture of the CZM team.

Offshore Project Review Specialist - Dr. Hollie Emery joined the CZM team in January as the new Offshore Project Review Specialist. Previously, Hollie was a post-doctoral fellow at Harvard University working on alternative renewable energy using seafloor microbes. She earned a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Boston University (BU) and a B.S. in Biology from UMass. At BU, she designed and taught an undergraduate Environmental Science course in the programming language “R,” with topics including fishery harvest, population modeling, diffusion modeling, statistical analysis, and data management, earning her an Outstanding Teaching Fellow award. Many scientific papers have benefited from Hollie’s skills and knowledge in salt marsh greenhouse gas fluxes, methane emissions after tidal restoration, geochemical cycling, marine microbial ecology, seafloor methane seeps, and the capture of geothermal and geochemical renewable energy from the seafloor.

Coastal Resilience Grant Specialist - In July, CZM welcomed India Mackinson as the new Coastal Resilience Grant Specialist. In this new position, India supports the StormSmart Coasts team with the Coastal Resilience Grant Program. She has experience working in municipal government and has a strong interest in engaging with coastal communities and other partners to build equitable, long-term resilience. India recently completed a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

CZM Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist - In April, Alexis (Lexie) Neffinger started in a new role at CZM as a Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist. Lexie was previously a NOAA Coastal Management Fellow at CZM, supporting the StormSmart Coasts Team and Coastal Resilience Grant Program with environmental justice community engagement on shoreline restoration opportunities to increase coastal resilience. In her new role, she is continuing community engagement efforts and supporting the work of the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Team with a focus on coastal habitat restoration. Lexie has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Fordham University and a Master of Science in Coastal and Marine System Science from Texas A&M University.

Assistant Climate Scientist - In July, Margot Mansfield became the Assistant Climate Scientist with EEA’s new Office of Climate Science after serving as the Coastal Hazards and Climate Specialist for CZM’s StormSmart Coasts Program and EEA’s Climate Team since 2015. In this new role, she supports the new Office of Climate Science and CZM’s StormSmart Coasts Program as a Coastal Hazard Specialist, bringing technical expertise on coastal erosion, flooding, and coastal adaptation strategies. From 2013-2015, Margot was a NOAA Coastal Management Fellow with CZM, working to promote beach and dune nourishment as a climate change adaptation option in Massachusetts. She has a Master’s in Earth Science from the University of Maine, where she focused her graduate research on sea level rise.

Project Review Coordinator - In September, CZM welcomed Sean Duffey in his new role as CZM’s Project Review Coordinator, Dredging Coordinator, and Public Records Access Officer. Sean has been with CZM since 2017 when he was selected for a two-year NOAA Coastal Management Fellowship, which focused on coastal habitat resiliency and vulnerabilities in Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. After completing the Fellowship in 2019, Sean took a permanent position with CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Team, most recently as a Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist. Sean is now leading CZM’s federal consistency review process, coordinating CZM project review through the MEPA Office and MassDEP, coordinating the state Dredge Team, and serving as CZM’s Public Records Request contact.

Marine Invasive Species Intern - In June, CZM welcomed Avril Lynch as the Marine Invasive Species Intern. Through the summer, Avril worked with the Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Team on marine invasive species initiatives, including the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative and the 2023 Rapid Assessment Survey. Avril assisted with training volunteers, monitoring dock and pier sites for invasive species, and developing outreach materials. Avril’s internship culminated in a CZM blog post profiling an invasive bryozoan, Amathia verticillata, which has been seen in isolated instances in southern New England and is a documented invader globally.