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CZ-Mail - December 2021

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

Welcome to CZ-Mail, the monthly electronic newsletter from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Each issue provides information on major CZM initiatives, available tools and publications, upcoming workshops and events, grants, contracting opportunities, job openings, coastal legislation, and other news of interest to people working on coastal issues. Additional information about CZM's programs, publications, and other coastal topics can be found on the CZM website. To subscribe, send a blank email (please be sure that the email is completely blank, with no signature line) to join-env-czmail@listserv.state.ma.us. Also, please feel free to share CZ-Mail with colleagues and friends—and if you have any suggestions for future editions, or would like make a change to your CZ-Mail subscription, please email your request to CZ-Mail@mass.gov. For daily updates from CZM, please follow us on Twitter.

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

Highlights

Buzzards Bay Municipal Grants Awarded to Protect Habitat and Water Quality - On November 30, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $110,640 in federally funded grant awards for projects seeking to protect water quality and habitat in the Buzzards Bay watershed. The three grants, which are being matched by over $194,000 in private contributions and state grants, are awarded by the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (NEP) through CZM, with funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Southeast New England Program. The following municipalities were awarded grants:

  • Mattapoisett - $45,000 to work with the Mattapoisett Land Trust to purchase and permanently protect a forested 4-acre parcel of riverfront land located on the west bank of the Mattapoisett River, which contains important state-designated habitat, including habitat for rare species, and lies across the street from the Nasketucket Bay State Reservation. This purchase is part of a larger effort by the Mattapoisett Land Trust to conserve the entire west bank of the Mattapoisett River from Route 6 south to the multi-use path. The Mattapoisett Land Trust intends to create a trail system and small parking area on the property for public access.
  • Carver - $45,000 to work with the Buzzards Bay Coalition to purchase and permanently protect 28 acres of undeveloped forest land on the southern side of the 600+ acre Great South Meadow Cedar Swamp on Mayflower Road in Caver. The property contains important state-designated habitat and lies over the Plymouth/Carver Sole Source Aquifer. The project will protect the ecological resources associated with a large and significant Atlantic White Cedar stand, protect headwaters of the Weweantic River, and provide a long sought after gateway access to the Great Cedar Swamp.
  • Rochester - $20,640 to work with the Buzzards Bay Coalition and Rochester Land Trust to purchase a conservation restriction that will permanently protect 20.5 acres along Doggett Brook, a principal tributary of the Sippican River. The project is part of a larger effort to protect a 58-acre undeveloped farmland parcel along a principal road to the central village area of Rochester. The property contains important state-designated habitat, including habitat for rare species. The conservation restriction will remove the current agricultural use from within 300 feet of Doggett Brook, and this area will be restored to enhance its ecological functions. In addition, a small roadside gravel parking area and a walking trail will be developed.

For more information, see the EEA Press Release.

CZM Releases Newly Revised Permit Guide ONLINE - CZM has now released Environmental Permitting in Coastal Massachusetts (otherwise known as the Permit Guide) in an easy-to-navigate online format. The newly revised, reorganized, and reformatted guide, which was previously released as a downloadable PDF (published August 2021 - PDF, 4 MB), can now be searched by topics (under the Permit Categories and Index section) or by individual permits through a clickable Table of Contents. The Permit Guide provides a brief snapshot of the major environmental permits that apply to coastal projects in Massachusetts to help applicants, environmental consultants, and government officials navigate the permit process.

Thank You COASTSWEEP Volunteers! - Every fall, thousands of people in Massachusetts volunteer for COASTSWEEP—the statewide beach cleanup sponsored by CZM that is part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. For COASTSWEEP 2021, the focus continued to be on safety first, and volunteers were encouraged to hold cleanups with appropriate COVID-19 safety precautions. While the numbers are still coming in, preliminary reports show that since August, more than 1,700 volunteers scoured 115 miles of coastline to collect nearly 3 tons of trash. Thanks to all of you for finding a way to participate safely this year! CZM plans to start signups for the 2022 COASTSWEEP cleanups in June 2022. If you are interested in receiving information about volunteering or coordinating a cleanup, please send your contact information to coastsweep@mass.gov. And thank you to all our volunteers throughout the years for your enthusiasm and commitment—stay safe, and we look forward to many more years of COASTSWEEP to come!

CZM Offices Remain Closed - All CZM offices are currently closed for in-person services. During this time, CZM staff are working remotely and are available to assist with coastal management issues. See Contact CZM for details.

CZM Staff and People

South Coastal Regional Coordinator Dave Janik Retires - After more than 32 years with CZM—26 as CZM’s South Coastal Regional Coordinator—Dave Janik retired on November 19. Dave joined CZM in 1989, first working with CZM’s Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) and providing technical assistance to Buzzards Bay Communities on traditional and alternative onsite wastewater disposal methods and regulations, including helping to craft CZM input on Title 5 regulation changes in the early 1990s. He also coordinated and tracked the various municipal grants awarded by BBNEP and assisted with the development of the BBNEP Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan and nitrogen management strategies. In 1995, Dave transitioned to the CZM South Coastal Regional Coordinator Position, where he assisted municipalities and provided technical assistance on various coastal issues, particularly Municipal Harbor Planning, Designated Port Area Planning, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) No Discharge Area Designations, EPA’s Superfund Cleanup of the New Bedford Harbor, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) State Enhanced Remedy Process for augmenting the EPA harbor cleanup. He also helped many of the regional municipalities fully understand and utilize the opportunities presented by CZM’s Coastal Resilience Grant Program. Through Dave’s efforts, CZM was a vital partner in the Bird Island Roseate Tern Restoration Project. He also co-led a CZM/Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) effort to successfully conduct an interim dredging project for the Federal Channel in New Bedford Harbor that significantly improved the ability of large deep draft vessels to access the harbor. We will miss Dave and his pragmatism, deep knowledge of and commitment to the South Coastal communities, wry wit, and sage advice. Thank you Dave, and good luck with your next adventure!

New South Coastal Regional Coordinator - On November 1, CZM welcomed Sam Haines as the new South Coastal Regional Coordinator, replacing the retiring Dave Janik. Sam brings more than 20 years of professional environmental experience to the position. For the last 5 years, Sam served as the conservation agent for the Town of Bourne, where he worked on wetland regulations, stormwater management, dredge planning and oversight, emergency management, project review, and coastal resiliency, and coordinated with various local, state, and federal stakeholders. Before that, Sam held positions as an Environmental Scientist at AECOM, where he ensured regulatory compliance on large commercial and linear utility projects throughout the Northeastern United States, and ENSR, where he focused on environmental sampling for residential and commercial clients in Southeastern Massachusetts. Sam brings expertise to the position in local, state, and federal permitting; coastal and inland wetland delineation; biological and botanical survey; habitat restoration; environmental inspection and sampling; and construction oversight. Welcome aboard Sam!

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Division of Conservation Services (DCS) is seeking proposals for Fiscal Year 2022 Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants, which provide up to $1,000,000 in matching funds to state agencies and local governments to acquire and develop public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the final virtual grant workshop on December 2 at 2:00 p.m. Please RSVP to Melissa Cryan at melissa.cryan@mass.gov to receive the Teams link. Please note that this is the first year that applications will be accepted via an online form. Applications are due by January 24, 2022, by 3:00 p.m.

Small Communities Grants - DCS is also seeking applications for the Fiscal Year 2022 Conservation Assistance for Small Communities Grant Program, which provides funding to municipalities with 6,000 or fewer residents to produce Open Space and Recreation Plans, complete other plans to facilitate land conservation, and/or prepare appraisals as required to apply for the other DCS grant programs. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The final deadline is May 8, 2022. See the application instructions for details.

MassTrails Grants - Communities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations can apply for reimbursable, matching grants of $5,000-$300,000 to design, create, maintain, and support recreational trail and shared-use pathway projects in Massachusetts through the MassTrails program. See the MassTrails Grants Guide for application details and grant documents. Proposals must be submitted online by February 1, 2022.

Environmental Education Grants - EPA is seeking applications for the Environmental Education Grants Program to support projects that “promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment.” Projects must target at least one of EPA’s Educational Priorities and one of the EPA Administrator’s Environmental Priorities. Three to four grants from $50,000-$100,000 will be awarded in each of EPA’s 10 regions. Submit applications through Grants.Gov by December 6.

Grants for Community Water Quality, Watershed, and Habitat Protection - The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Wildlife Habitat Council, in cooperation with EPA and partners, are seeking applications for the 2022 Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration Grant Program. These grants aim to develop capacity in communities to promote sustainable natural resource use by funding projects that focus on protecting water quality, watersheds, species, and habitats through restoration, community outreach, education, and stewardship. Awards from $20,000 to $50,000 will be granted for 12- to 18-month projects that start in late summer-early fall 2022. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, state agencies, local and municipal governments, Indian tribes, and schools. Full proposals are due by January 25, 2022.

Reminders - These opportunities, listed previously in CZ-Mail, are still available:

  • §319 Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking proposals for the §319 Nonpoint Source Competitive Grants to fund comprehensive projects that address nonpoint sources of pollution affecting water quality. For more information, including a link to the Request for Responses (RFR), see the MassDEP website. Proposals are due by December 15.
  • MVP Planning Grants - EEA is seeking proposals for Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Planning Grants, which provide support for Massachusetts cities and towns to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented climate resiliency plans. Communities that complete the MVP planning grant program become certified as an MVP community and are eligible for MVP Action Grant funding. To view the RFR and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis through 4:00 p.m. on January 7, 2022.

Online Tools and Resources

National Marine Ecosystem Status Viewer - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has updated the National Marine Ecosystem Status viewer, which provides environmental data, status indicators, and ecosystem performance of coastal and marine ecosystems in the United States. Users can focus on a region, view data by theme, and explore additional resources.

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

Products/Publications

United Nations Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution Report - The United Nations Environment Programme has released From Pollution to Solution: A Global Assessment of Marine Litter and Plastic Pollution, a report that details the impact of marine litter and plastic pollution and their effects on the health of ecosystems, wildlife, and humans.

State of the Beach Report - The Surfrider Foundation has released its 2021 State of the Beach Report that grades 30 U.S. coastal and Great Lake states and Puerto Rico on their policies and practices that protect beaches from coastal erosion, sea level rise, coastal development, and related issues.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

Coastal & Estuarine Science News - The October 2021 issue of Coastal & Estuarine Science News, the newsletter of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation, includes articles on how culverts can impact habitats in urban environments, using submerged aquatic vegetation distribution to define aquatic habitat zones, and other coastal and estuarine research topics.

Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management Newsletter - The Fall 2021 Newsletter (PDF, 3 MB) from the Massachusetts Association for Floodplain Management (massFM) discusses the October massFM Annual Conference, the recently released Risk Rating 2.0 insurance rate updates to the National Flood Insurance Program, the Environmental Justice benefits of President Biden’s Executive Order that addresses climate change, and other Massachusetts floodplain management news.

Massachusetts Lobstermen’s News - The November 2021 Newspaper (PDF, 14 MB) from the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association includes stories on the status of lobster stocks, the October meeting of the Stellwagen Bank Sanctuary Advisory Council, the potential restoration of national monument protections to areas offshore Massachusetts, and public notices, updates, and other lobster news.

MVP Program Newsletter - The Fall 2021 newsletter from EEA’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program covers the recently launched effort to develop a Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment, the upcoming MVP Winter Webinar Series, as well as MVP program resources, a project spotlight, upcoming events, and opportunities.

Jobs/Internship Postings

Ecological Restoration Grants Manager - The Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is seeking an Ecological Restoration Grants Manager to work closely with the Division’s Stream Continuity Program to support municipal culvert/road-stream crossing replacement projects that provide ecological and climate-resiliency benefits. This position will manage DER’s statewide Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grants Program and provide strategic and technical support to municipalities to help meet the goals of the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards. For more information and application instructions, see the job posting.

Ecological Restoration Specialist - DER is also seeking an Ecological Restoration Specialist to coordinate and support technical aspects of ecohydrology—the study of interactions between water and ecological systems—for DER’s ecological restoration projects. This position will coordinate collection and analysis of streamflow and ecohydrology data for sustainable water management and ecological restoration efforts. For details and how to apply, see the job posting.

Land Stewardship Manager - The Buzzards Bay Coalition is seeking a Land Stewardship Manager to primarily manage the Coalition’s coastal conservation lands on Cuttyhunk Island, which include various coastal habitats. Candidates should have at least three years of conservation land management experience, skills to manage natural lands for both conservation and recreation, excellent communication skills, and a passion for the environment. This full-time position is based on the mainland (New Bedford) as part the Coalition’s land stewardship team. During the summer, one-two overnight stays per week on Cuttyhunk will be required. Housing on the island is provided. For more information, see the Job Opportunities page.

Sea Education Association Positions - The Sea Education Association (SEA), an ocean education nonprofit organization in Woods Hole, is seeking applications for several open positions, including Vessel Systems Manager, Marine Science Manager, Vessel Operations Manager, Associate Director of Development, and Chief Program & Academic Officer. For details and application information for each job, see the SEA Employment page.

Marine Debris & Plastics Program Research and Outreach Assistant - The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown is seeking a 12-month, part time, Marine Debris & Plastics Program Research and Outreach Assistant to help with shoreline and ocean cleanups, manage debris database, develop social media and outreach materials, and plan and assist with public outreach efforts. Application review will begin on December 10 for a planned early 2022 start date. See the CCS Employment page for details.

Public Comment

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

Review of the Draft 2021 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan - On September 22, EEA issued the Draft 2021 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan for public review, hearings, and a 60-day public comment period, which closed on November 30. CZM will compile public comments for review by the Ocean Advisory Commission and Ocean Science Advisory Council and inclusion in the ocean plan amendment, as necessary. The final 2021 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan is expected in December 2021.  For details and links to both volumes of the draft 2021 ocean plan, see the Review and Update of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan web page.

Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Draft Management Plan - NOAA is seeking public comment on the Draft Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. (The current plan was published in 2010.) The draft management plan does not propose any regulatory or boundary changes and it supports the sanctuary’s goal of “managing a productive marine area that protects nature’s diversity and bounty with a dedicated program of innovative research, respects sustainable human activities, and advances ocean stewardship among diverse communities.” Two virtual public meetings will be held on January 11, 2022, and January 12, 2022. For details, including commenting instructions, see the Stellwagen Bank website and a web story on the plan. Comments are due by January 21, 2022.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

Please note: Please check links frequently for updates due to COVID-19.

Using the EPA Environmental Resilience Tools Wizard - December 1, webinar from EPA on the use of the Environmental Resilience Tools Wizard, which provides resources to reduce disaster risks to the environment and human health.

Landscaping for Resilience - December 1 and 8, virtual workshops from the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, including Wrangling Rainwater on the Homestead & Other Landscaping Choices for a Changing Climate on December 1 and All About the Trees on December 8.

PIE-River Annual Meeting - December 2, meeting of the Parker, Ipswich, and Essex-Rivers Partnership (PIE-Rivers) to be held online and in person at the Parker River Wildlife Refuge in Newburyport.

Marine Invaders: Green Crabs and Other Local Invasive Species - December 3, educator workshop sponsored by Woods Hole Sea Grant to be held in Woods Hole.

Climate Migration Workshop: Preparing Receiving Communities - December 7-8, virtual workshop sponsored by the American Society of Adaptation Professionals on migration of people due to climate change.

MEES Conference—Call for Proposals - March 9-10, 2022, annual conference of the Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES). Proposals are due by December 8.

Shipwreck Scholars - December 12, educational program from The Trustees of Reservations and the Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources with a focus on local nautical history and the Ada K. Damon shipwreck site. This event will be held at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich.

Nanoplastics in Marine Debris - December 13-15, virtual workshop sponsored by the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation.

Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting—Call for Abstracts - May 14-20, 2022, conference organized by the Consortium of Aquatic Science Societies to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a virtual option. Abstracts that support the conference theme, Rapid Changes—Collaborative Solutions, are due by January 10, 2022.

Economic Guidance for Coastal Decision-Making - January 12, 2022, online training provided by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management.

Northeast Aquaculture Conference - January 12-14, 2022, conference and exposition from the Maine Aquaculture Innovation Center and the NOAA Fisheries Service Milford Laboratory to be held in Portland, Maine.

People of Color Experiences in Conservation and Municipal Governance - January 14, 2022, webinar hosted by the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions.

NEWEA Annual Conference - January 23-26, 2022, conference sponsored by the New England Water Environment Association (NEWEA) in Boston.

2022 Social Coast Forum—Canceled - Originally scheduled for February 1-3, 2022, this in-person forum hosted by NOAA and the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association on the application of social sciences to coastal management has been canceled due to COVID concerns.

International Erosion Control Conference - February 15-18, 2022, conference and exposition sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) on erosion, sediment control, and stormwater to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a virtual option from March 1-3, 2022.

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

  • Extended Producer Responsibility Coffee Hour - December 3, virtual gathering from Beyond Plastics, Conservation Law Foundation, National Stewardship Action Council, UPSTREAM, and Break Free from Plastic US to discuss the latest efforts toward Extended Producer Responsibility—a strategy to add all the environmental costs associated with a product to the cost of that product.
  • 2021 Virtual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit - December 4-5, in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory and held virtually.
  • National Zero Waste Virtual Conference - December 8-9, virtual conference from Zero Waste USA and the National Recycling Coalition.

Calendar - Multiple/Ongoing Events

Please note: Please check links frequently for updates due to COVID-19.

Aquarium Lecture Series - Webinars presented by the New England Aquarium.

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

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

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

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

Cape Cod Maritime Museum Lectures - Lectures in December and January at the museum.

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

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

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

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

Keep Massachusetts Beautiful Events - Talks and volunteer opportunities across the Commonwealth on litter prevention and cleanup, waste reduction and recycling, beautification and community greening, and environmental education.

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

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

MBL Falmouth Forum Lecture Series - Free public lectures presented in person and virtually from the Marine Biological Lab (MBL) in Woods Hole.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Showcasing Leading Practices in Climate Adaptation: Experiences from the Water Sector to Empower Other Sectors and Communities - Webinar series through February 2022 from NOAA, EPA, the Water Research Foundation, and Water Utility Climate Alliance that will provide practical lessons and leading practices for building climate resilience using the experiences of water utilities.

Teacher Environmental Literacy Series - Monthly webinars through December from the Children’s Environmental Literacy Foundation.

Other Items of Interest

Climate Ambassador Program - The Cape Cod Commission is seeking students in grades 9-12 from the Cape Cod and Islands for the Climate Ambassador Program—a new initiative to educate, engage, and empower Cape Cod youth to collectively tackle the impacts of climate change. Students with an interest in climate change and a desire to learn more are encouraged to apply to join this four-month program (January-April 2022). For more information and to apply, see the Cape Cod Commission website. Applications are due by December 13.

Crane Coastal Volunteer Training Program - The Trustees Crane Estate is seeking Coastal Education Volunteers at the Coastal Education Center at Crane Beach. Volunteers will learn about local coastal habitats, environmental education methods and techniques, and The Trustees work to balance protection and public use of the Commonwealth’s coast. After completing the training course, volunteers are asked to commit to at least 5 hours of volunteer service every month for a year. The next training program will be held from February-May 2022. For details, see The Trustees website.

Foster Scholarship Program - NOAA is seeking applications for the 2022 Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, which provides support for master’s and doctoral degrees in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology, and ocean and coastal resource management. Women and minority students, in particular, are encouraged to apply. The scholarship provides up to $42,000 per year for tuition and living expenses, with additional funds available to support collaboration at a NOAA office. Applications are due by December 14.

Coastal Wetlands Scholarship - The Garden Club of America is seeking applicants for the Coastal Wetlands Studies Scholarship, which will provide a $5,000 stipend to one graduate student to support field-based coastal wetland research in the United States. Applications are due by January 15, 2022.

Thoreau Foundation Scholarships - The Henry David Thoreau Foundation is now accepting applications from top Massachusetts high school seniors who plan to study environmental issues in college. Selected Thoreau Scholars will receive a four-year scholarship up to $20,000, eligibility for an environmental internship stipend, and access to the scholar alumni network. Applications are due by February 1, 2022.

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