As reported in the New York Times, last week (at the Coastal Zone conference in Chicago), FEMA shared some results from a pending study looking at the projected effects of climate change on the National Flood Insurance Program. The short version? It’s not looking pretty, and the challenges won’t be confined to coastal areas either. […]
Tag Archives | planning
Rolling Easements: Finally, a Long-Term Approach for Rising Seas and Coastal Erosion?
Posted on June 21, 2011
It’s not hard to get overwhelmed when considering your community’s current flood and erosion problems. Add in projections for what future climates will bring and it’s enough to make you want to just stay at home (at least until the sea comes into your home). Unfortunately, nobody has found a silver bullet to save coastal […]
EPA and NOAA Combine Forces to Protect Coastal People and Ecosystems
Posted on June 16, 2011
John Bowie just shared this good news over on StormSmart Connect: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have announced a joint agreement that will protect the safety, health, and property of people living in or visiting coastal communities around the nation. The two agencies will partner with local […]
Town of Hull Amends Zoning Bylaw to Reduce Flood Losses
Posted on May 12, 2011
In an attempt to lessen flood losses, the town of Hull has amended their zoning bylaw to consider not only current, but future conditions. Notable changes include: 1. A requirement that the town’s review process ensures that a proposed project won’t cause or worsen flooding on other properties (sounds like a good NAI approach). The […]
Coming to the ASFPM Conference? Join the StormSmart Crew
Posted on May 10, 2011
Coming to the ASFPM (Association of State Floodplain Managers) Annual Conference in Louisville, KT next week? If so, I hope you’ll considering joining a group of us to discuss how to use the No Adverse Impact approach to floodplain development in your community. Speakers include Ed Thomas (Baker), Terri Turner (Augusta-Richmond County Planning Commission, GA), […]
Need Funding for Park Acquisition and Renovation?
Posted on April 29, 2011
From the latest edition of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management’s CZ-mail: Parks and Conservation Land Grants – EEA’s Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications for the fiscal year 2012 Parkland Acquisition and Renovation for Communities (PARC) and the Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity (LAND) programs. PARC grants assist communities with the acquisition […]
Massachusetts StormSmart Coasts Pilot Project Communities Now Online
Posted on April 7, 2011
The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management has added informational pages about each of their 2009-2011 StormSmart Coasts Pilot Projects. You can read about them here: * Boston – Coastal Inundation Mapping and Regulatory Review * Hull – Freeboard Incentive and Storm Surge Visualization * Duxbury, Kingston, and Plymouth – Coastal Hazards Awareness * Falmouth […]
Radio Show Clip on Sea Level Rise in New England
Posted on April 5, 2011
From WBUR.org: “Many Worry About Rising Sea Levels In The Northeast” (Click on the “listen now” button, then skip to 4:15.) Not a lot of good news here, but interesting to see how the “retreat” option is now a standard part of these discussions. Could we be seeing the start of a mind-shift?
“Not everything we love can be saved’’
Posted on April 4, 2011
Hard truths from a local official facing sea level rise in his community. “Fighting a losing battle with the sea” The Boston Globe
Four New Case Studies on Climate Change Adaptation for Water Utilities
Posted on March 29, 2011
Tying in with their Climate Ready Water Utilities program, the EPA has released four case studies looking at specific adaptation steps communities are taking. The communities are East Bay (CA), New York City, Seattle (WA), and Spartanburg (SC). You can download the case study from EPA’s website.