Log in links for this page

CZ-Mail - November 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

Salt Marsh Vulnerability Metric Now Available for All Massachusetts Marshes - CZM is pleased to announce that geospatial data products are now available from a salt marsh project completed through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. USGS has developed an indicator of salt marsh vulnerability—the unvegetated-vegetated marsh ratio (UVVR)—which calculates the ratio of unvegetated marsh area (e.g., pools, pannes, mudflats) to vegetated area using remote sensing imagery. The UVVR metric is a powerful screening tool for identifying vulnerable salt marshes because it strongly correlates to net sediment budget, elevation, and tidal inundation (all factors critical for salt marsh resiliency). As a result of the project, CZM will now have publicly accessible UVVR data at a fine scale for all salt marshes in Massachusetts. These data and supporting metrics can be accessed through the USGS ScienceBase Catalog at Geospatial Characterization of Salt Marshes for Massachusetts. For more information, contact CZM’s Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Manager, Adrienne Pappal, at adrienne.pappal@mass.gov.

Last Call to Volunteer for COASTSWEEP 2021! - Since late August, dedicated volunteers have collected trash along the Bay State shoreline for COASTSWEEP, the statewide volunteer beach cleanup organized by CZM. As part of Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, COASTSWEEP volunteers collect data on what they find to help inform national and international efforts to reduce marine debris. By the time COASTSWEEP wraps up later this month, more than 1,500 volunteers will have cleaned dozens of locations along Massachusetts rivers, marshes, and beaches—and there’s still time to organize a cleanup of your own or join one of the remaining scheduled cleanups. All the supplies (bags, gloves, data cards, pencils, etc.) are provided free of charge, and cleanups can be scheduled at your convenience through November. See the COASTSWEEP website for details.

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.

Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

Coastal Pollutant Remediation Grant Program - CZM is seeking proposals for a fall round of Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Coastal Pollutant Remediation (CPR) Grants, which will provide up to $200,000 to municipalities located in the Massachusetts Coastal Watershed to assess and remediate stormwater pollution and to design and construct commercial boat-waste pumpout facilities. Related capacity-building activities, such as development of stormwater bylaws, maintenance trainings for municipal staff, and project case studies, will also be considered. As much as $125,000 may be requested and a 25 percent match of the total project cost is required. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2022. To view the Request for Responses (RFR) and download required forms, see the COMMBUYS website. Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 19.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Planning 2.0 - The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program is seeking partner(s) to assist with development of a planning process, trainings, and resources to update MVP plans and the priority actions identified in these plans. Created in 2017, the MVP program provides support for cities and towns in Massachusetts to identify climate hazards, assess vulnerabilities, and develop and implement action plans to improve resilience to climate change. As the MVP program reaches its fifth anniversary, a plan update process (nicknamed MVP Planning 2.0) that is accessible, inclusive, engaging, equitable, collaborative, and actionable is needed. Project tasks include stakeholder engagement, development of a step-by-step guidance for the update process, and creation of tools and trainings to supplement the refreshed approach. The MVP program is committed to centering environmental justice (EJ) and equity in MVP Planning 2.0 and is seeking a partner(s) with EJ expertise, as well as experience with climate resilience planning, creating engaging and accessible content, and working with local governments in Massachusetts. To view the RFR, download required forms, or see questions and answers from the October 27 Bidder’s Conference, see the COMMBUYS website. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on November 22.

§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 RFR, see the MassDEP website. Proposals are due by December 15.

Reminders - This opportunity, listed previously in CZ-Mail, is still available:

  • MVP Planning Grants - EEA is seeking proposals for MVP Planning Grants, which provide support for Massachusetts cities and towns to complete vulnerability assessments and develop action-oriented climate resiliency plans. The program helps communities define extreme weather and natural and climate-related hazards; understand how their community may be impacted by climate change; identify existing and future vulnerabilities and strengths; and develop, prioritize, and implement key actions. State-trained MVP providers offer technical assistance to communities in completing the assessment and 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

Climate.gov Updates - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office has launched a redesigned Climate.gov, which now includes a customized search algorithm to improve search results, filtering, and sorting. The updated site includes the latest climate-oriented news articles, blogs, and videos; a climate event tracker; maps, images, and data visualizations that explain climate science, impacts, and adaptation; NOAA news and research; and other climate information.

Stellwagen Bank Website Updated - The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary has launched a refreshed website that now includes up-to-date sections on science, education, and resource protection and features a collection of colorful sanctuary photos. Website users are encouraged to provide feedback. Please email stellwagen@noaa.gov to report typos, broken links, outdated content, or suggestions.

NOAA Marine Debris Blog - Recent posts to the NOAA Marine Debris Program’s Marine Debris Blog include entries on the just released New Jersey Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide, a new Marine Debris Action Plan for Washington State, and marine debris removal efforts in Hawaii’s Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. All blog topics can be searched by category and date. To receive notifications of new posts, sign up for email updates.

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

Products/Publications

EPA Social Vulnerability Report - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released Climate Change and Social Vulnerability in the United States: A Focus on Six Impacts. This new peer-reviewed report that describes how four vulnerable populations—based on income, education, race and ethnicity, and age—may be subject to the highest impacts of climate change. The six categories of impacts covered are: air quality and health, extreme temperature and health, extreme temperature and labor, coastal flooding and traffic, coastal flooding and property, and inland flooding and property.

Newsletters and Other Periodicals

MassBays Newsletter - The Fall 2021 issue of the MassBays Newsletter, the quarterly update from the MassBays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), covers a new MassBays partnership with EPA’s Urban Waters Program and the Mystic River Watershed Association, the new AquaQAPP online application for community-based monitoring groups, and other MassBays news. Consider subscribing to receive updates directly.

NOAA HabitatNews - The October 2021 issue of HabitatNews, a newsletter of the NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation, includes articles on the restoration plan for the Gulf Mexico after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, how climate change is affecting fisheries in Chesapeake Bay, and other marine fisheries habitat news.

Northeast Ocean Data Portal Newsletter - The October 2021 issue of Northeast Ocean Data, a newsletter of the Northeast Ocean Data Portal, provides details on a new data and map layer for fish distribution and abundance, marine life monitoring efforts along the U.S. Atlantic coast, offshore wind lease processes and environmental reviews, and additional portal news and updates.

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. 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. Email comments by 5:00 p.m. on November 30 to oceanplan@mass.gov, or mail written comments to:

Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
ATTN: Draft 2021 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan
251 Causeway Street, Suite 800
Boston, MA 02114

For more information, please contact CZM at czm@mass.gov.

Calendar - Individual Events and Announcements

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

National Recycling Congress - November 3-4, virtual conference on recycling, reuse, and waste reduction from the National Recycling Coalition.

Salt Marsh Sentinels Project Update - November 4, webinar presented by the North and South River Watershed Association on their Salt Marsh Sentinels citizen science program, which partners with riverside dock owners to measure marsh change.

APCC Annual Meeting - November 4, virtual 2021 annual meeting of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC).

Understanding Coastal Resiliency in a Regime of Sea Level Rise - November 6, a presentation from Dr. Mark Borrelli, Director of the Seafloor Mapping Program at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown, to be held at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster.

NOAA Listening Sessions: Shaping the Future of Coastal Flooding Tools for Long Term Decision Making - November 8, webinar on NOAA products for coastal hazards reduction and resilience.

EBC Dredging Conference - November 9, virtual 15th annual dredging conference sponsored by the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) with a focus on technological considerations for dredging and sediment capping projects.

Controlling Coastal Erosion and Creating Living Shorelines - November 9, seminar from Half Moon Education and available online, in person in Natick, or as self-study course.

Achieving 30×30 for Our Coasts, Oceans, and Communities - November 9-10, virtual conference from Coastal Quest on the initiative to protect 30% or the world’s oceans by 2030 to address biodiversity decline and climate change.

2022 National Watershed and Stormwater Conference—Request for Abstracts - April 26-29, 2022, conference sponsored by the Center for Watershed Protection to be held in St. Petersburg, Florida. Abstracts are due by November 12.

Shipwreck Scholars - November 13 and December 12, educational program from The Trustees of Reservations and CZM’s Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources with a focus on local nautical history and the Ada K. Damon shipwreck site. These events will be held at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich.

MIT Water Summit - November 15-16, annual conference sponsored by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to be held both in person at MIT in Cambridge and online. The 2021 conference will focus on coastal cities and ecosystems.

Using Community Science for Decision Making: Beach Monitoring - November 17, webinar from the New York, Rhode Island, and Woods Hole Sea Grant programs.

Refugia Are Important, But Are They Connected? Mapping Well-Connected Climate Refugia for Species of Conservation Concern in the Northeastern U.S. - November 17, webinar presented by the Northeast Climate Adaptation Science Center, which will discuss areas that are buffered from the impacts of climate change and can remain suitable habitat for vulnerable species.

Supporting Self-Financing Mechanisms in MPAs - November 17, webinar from Open Communications for the Ocean and the National Marine Protected Areas Center on using visitor fees and concession agreements to support conservation activities in marine protected areas (MPAs).

RARGOM Annual Science Meeting - November 17-19, virtual meeting sponsored by the Regional Association for Research on the Gulf of Maine (RARGOM). The focus for the 2021 meeting is “The Future of the Gulf of Maine.”

Designing with Native Plants: Beyond the Benefits for Wildlife - November 18, webinar sponsored by the Association to Preserve Cape Cod.

EBC Climate Change Webinar: A Discussion on the Massachusetts 2050 Decarbonization Roadmap - November 18, webinar presented by EBC.

32nd Annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference—Call for Abstracts - April 27-28, 2022, conference sponsored by NEIWPCC to held in Woodstock, Vermont. Abstracts are due by November 19.

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.

National Zero Waste Virtual Conference - December 8-9, virtual conference from Zero Waste USA and the National Recycling Coalition.

2022 Social Coast Forum - February 1-3, 2022, conference hosted by NOAA and the National Estuarine Research Reserve Association on the application of social sciences to coastal management to be held in Charleston, South Carolina.

International Erosion Control Conference - February 15-18, 2022, annual conference and exposition on erosion, sediment control, and stormwater to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association.

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

  • CERF 2021 Conference - November 1-4 and 8-11, virtual conference sponsored by the Coastal Estuarine Research Federation (CERF).
  • IECA Northeast Regional Conference - November 2-4, conference in Plymouth on erosion and sediment control and environmental compliance, sponsored by the International Erosion Control Association (IECA).
  • ClimateTech Summit - November 4, annual climate technology entrepreneurship conference hosted by Greentown Labs. The 2021 Summit will be held in both Somerville and Houston, Texas, and online.
  • Nantucket Biodiversity Initiative Research Conference - November 4-6, biennial research conference on biodiversity-related research projects conducted on Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Cape Cod, Long Island, or other similar habitats. The 2021 conference will be held in Nantucket and online.
  • AWRA 2021 Annual Water Resources Conference - November 8-10, conference sponsored by the American Water Resources Association (AWRA). Please note the conference will now be held virtually.
  • Ocean Literacy Summit - November 10-11, virtual summit on November 10 with in-person field trips on November 11 sponsored by the New England Ocean Science Education Collaborative. The 2021 summit will focus on Ocean Literacy Principle #4, the ocean made Earth habitable.
  • 2021 Virtual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit - December 4-5, in partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory and held virtually.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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 - Events listings on the South Shore.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle-Palooza! - Webinars in November from Recycle Smart MA in recognition of America Recycles Day on November 15. Webinars will include two “Ask Me Anything About Recycling in MA” sessions to answer questions about proper recycling.

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

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

Underwater Acoustics Webinars - Webinars on underwater sound hosted by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography.

Other Items of Interest

Marine Policy Fellowships - The NOAA Sea Grant College Program is accepting applications for the 2023 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program. This one-year paid fellowship matches graduate students studying ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources and policy with hosts in the legislative and executive branches, or appropriate associations and institutions in and around Washington, DC. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact their state Sea Grant Program to notify them that they intend to apply and to receive assistance with the application. Applications are due by February 18, 2022.

NOAA College Scholarships - The NOAA Office of Education is accepting applications for two undergraduate scholarship opportunities. The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship, which supports undergraduate education in oceanic and atmospheric science and trains students for careers in public service and education, awards up to $9,500 per year and includes a paid summer internship. The José E. Serrano Educational Partnership Program/Minority Serving Institutions Scholarship Program provides up to $45,000 in total support to students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math and entering junior year, and includes paid NOAA research internships for two summers. Applications for both scholarships are due by January 31, 2022.

National Wetlands Awards - The Environmental Law Institute is seeking nominations for the Annual National Wetlands Awards, which honor individuals who have demonstrated “exceptional effort, innovation, and excellence in wetlands conservation at the local, state, or regional level.” Nominations are due by January 7, 2022.

Marine Debris Art Contest - The NOAA Marine Debris Program is seeking entries for their Art Contest. Students in grades K-8 can submit original artwork that shows how marine debris impacts the oceans and what they are doing to help prevent marine debris. The winning artwork will be featured in the 2023 NOAA Marine Debris Calendar. The entry deadline is December 10.

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback