[SEMCO] April 2012 CZ-Mail

[CZ-Mail (ENV)]

CZ-MAIL

April 2012



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<http://www.mass.gov/czm/>. To subscribe to CZ-Mail, send a blank email to join-env-cz-mail at listserv.state.ma.us<mailto:join-env-cz-mail at 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 at state.ma.us<mailto:CZ-Mail at state.ma.us?subject=April%202012%20CZ-Mail>.



Mount Hope Bay Waters Nominated as No Discharge for Boat Sewage

On March 29, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), through CZM, submitted an application to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the Massachusetts portion of Mount Hope Bay as a No Discharge Area<http://www.mass.gov/czm/nda/> (NDA). Once approved by EPA, the designation will prohibit the discharge of any treated or untreated boat sewage in this nine-square-mile portion of Mount Hope Bay in Massachusetts-including the Taunton River up to the Center/Elm St. Bridge on the border of Dighton and Berkley, as well as the Lee and Cole Rivers up to their respective Route 6 bridges. The Rhode Island portion of Mt. Hope Bay is currently designated as an NDA. Mt. Hope Bay is the last major remaining Massachusetts area to be nominated as No Discharge Area. Implementation of the Mt. Hope Bay NDA designation will help to ensure that the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) standard for bacteria established by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Projection (MassDEP) in July 2010 can be met. The TMDL standard calls for zero sewage discharge from boats, and the designation of the NDA would satisfy this requirement. Banning the release of boat sewage also supports other local efforts to remove bacteria from these waters, including efforts by the city of Fall River to control the bacteria, nutrients, and other pollutants associated with combined sewer overflows. By the time the NDA is expected to be in effect early this summer, there will be three boat sewage pumpout facilities in accessible locations to make compliance with the no discharge requirements convenient for boaters. Both Fall River and Somerset have received assistance to offset the cost of purchasing and operating their pumpout facilities via the Commonwealth's Clean Vessel Act Program<http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dmf/programsandprojects/cvabig.htm>, administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries). Once this NDA is approved, nearly the entire Massachusetts coast will have been designated as no discharge. For details on the Mount Hope Bay NDA, see the EEA Press Release<http://www.mass.gov/eea/pr-2012/120329-pr-mt-hope-bay.html>.



NROC Ocean Planning Update

>From March 12-13, the Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) held a Northeast Workshop on Regional Ocean Planning at Roger Williams Law School in Bristol, Rhode Island. Invited representatives from state, federal, and tribal government, industry, academia, nonprofit and private organizations, and others received overviews of existing and related work in New England and shared perspectives on ways to improve the understanding and management of shared ocean resources. The workshop was designed to inform the launch of a regional ocean planning effort this spring, as NROC begins implementation of a two-year work plan that advances ocean planning in New England. With support from two separate grant awards from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, NROC will start work on key actions of the work plan. These actions include: 1) designing and implementing stakeholder and "user community" engagement efforts to define goals and ensure public involvement throughout the process; 2) compiling, analyzing, and enhancing existing data through the creation of new data products and continuing to provide data products through the Northeast Ocean Data Portal<http://www.northeastoceandata.org>; 3) completing a baseline characterization to provide a comprehensive overview of the ecological, social, and economic characteristics of the planning area; and 4) conducting a preliminary examination of strategies and approaches to address identified issues and implement a future ocean plan for the Northeast. This work will directly advance key aspects of the National Ocean Policy<http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/policy>, including several of its nine priority objectives. For more information, see NROC's website<http://collaborate.csc.noaa.gov/nroc/default.aspx>.



Deerin Babb-Brott Named as Director of the National Ocean Council

In March, former CZM Director Deerin Babb-Brott was appointed as Director of the National Ocean Council<http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/03/08/new-leader-protecting-our-oceans-and-coasts> (NOC), the federal body charged with implementing the National Ocean Policy and enhancing stewardship of the oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. In January, the NOC released a draft Implementation Plan for the National Ocean Policy for public comment which will inform development of the final Implementation Plan. "I am looking forward to building on this progress by applying 22 years of experience in the resource management field, with a focus on coastal management issues and public involvement that culminated in leading the development of an ocean management plan for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," said Director Babb-Brott. As Assistant Secretary for Coasts and Ocean with EEA, Deerin led the team that developed the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan<http://www.mass.gov/eea/ocean-coastal-management/mass-ocean-plan/final-massachusetts-ocean-management-plan.html>, the nation-leading blueprint for comprehensive marine planning as the basis for environmental protection and renewable energy development. As Director of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) unit, he helped develop and implement the nation's first greenhouse gas environmental review policy and led the environmental review for major energy projects, including Cape Wind, Weavers Cove Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility, and Neptune and Northeast Gateway offshore LNG terminals. Prior to joining MEPA, Deerin served as CZM Assistant Director for Planning and Coastal Development. For details on the NOC and the National Ocean Policy, see the NOC website<http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans>.



CZ-Tip - Break up Spring Break with Coastal Activities for Kids

It's spring break time again and you may be wondering how on earth you are going to entertain your little cherubs for nine consecutive days. Well, let's start with the "how on earth" part-Earth Day is on April 22, after all. There are plenty of ways to air-out and exercise those kids in the great outdoors, or even stay indoors and learn about the natural world. And because Massachusetts has more than 1,500 miles of coastline, we also have a seas worth of maritime history (including pirates!), coastal art, and marine science to explore. See CZ-Tip - Coastal and Kid-Friendly Activities<http://www.mass.gov/czm/tips/kids.htm> for ideas for spring break and beyond.



Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities

§319 Grants - The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is seeking proposals for the §319 Nonpoint Source Pollution Competitive Grants Program to fund comprehensive projects that address nonpoint sources of pollution affecting water quality. For details, see the Request for Responses (RFR) on the Comm-PASS website<https://www.ebidsourcing.com/displayPublicSearchAdvancedSolCriteriaEdit.do;jsessionid=LyXNzFXyWTnnlJXC13PsbfdvvCGBhBG4vMJGp7yvLGX1QLClThT8!160786355?doValidateToken=false&menu_id=2.3.3&org.apache.struts.taglib.html.TOKEN=f4d4cfd38316423111603bdb39dd69bb>. Search for document number "BRP 2012-02." For more information about past §319 projects, see MassDEP's website<http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/grants.htm#sums>. On April 14 from 10 a.m. to noon, MassDEP will hold a public information session at the MassDEP offices in Worcester<http://mass.gov/dep/about/region/centralr.htm>. Potential applicants can ask questions about any aspect of proposal development, competitive strategy, or program requirements. Proposals are due by June 1.



Small Drinking Water and Wastewater System Grants - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications for up to $15 million in funding for training and technical assistance to small drinking and wastewater systems-systems that serve fewer than 10,000 people, and private well owners. The funding will help provide water system staff with training and tools to enhance system operations and management practices, and supports EPA's continuing efforts to protect public health, restore watersheds, and promote sustainability in small communities. For details, see the EPA website<http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/sdwa/smallsystemsrfa.cfm>. Applications are due by April 9.



Plum Island Sound Green Landscaping Grants - The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is seeking applications from Plum Island Sound property owners to implement green landscaping practices. These grants are part of the recently launched Slow the Flow program to provide education and grants to homeowners who want to make lawns and landscaping more environmentally friendly. For more information, see the Slow the Flow website<http://www.pieslowtheflow.com/pages/GrantProgram.htm>. Applications are due by April 20.



FishAmerica Grants - FishAmerica, in partnership with the NOAA Restoration Center, is seeking proposals for grants to local communities and government agencies to restore habitat for marine and anadromous fish species. For details, see the FishAmerica website<http://www.fishamerica.org/grants.html>. Proposals are due April 30.



Coastal and Marine Fish Habitat Funding - NOAA Fisheries and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) are soliciting projects to support the protection of coastal and marine fish habitats through National Fish Habitat Partnerships. Eligible projects will protect habitats through cooperative, non-regulatory approaches, achieve quantifiable habitat protection, and address habitat protection priorities of coastally focused Fish Habitat Partnerships. For more information, see the NFWF website<http://www.nfwf.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=23953>. Pre-proposals are due by May 1.



Conservation Grants - EEA's Division of Conservation Services is seeking applications for the fiscal year 2013 Parkland Acquisition and Renovations for Communities<http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/grants-and-loans/dcs/dcr-rant-programs/massachusetts-parkland-acquisitions-and.html> (PARC), Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity<http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/grants-and-loans/dcs/dcr-rant-programs/massachusetts-local-acquisitions-for-natural.html> (LAND), and Conservation Partnership<http://www.mass.gov/eea/grants-and-tech-assistance/grants-and-loans/dcs/dcr-rant-programs/conservation-partnership-grant.html> grants. PARC grants assist communities with the acquisition of parkland, as well as construction of new parks and renovation of existing parks. LAND grants provide funds to municipal conservation commissions for the purchase of conservation land. Conservation Partnership grants provide funds to nonprofit organizations for land acquisitions. Two grant workshops will be held on May 10 at 10:00 a.m.at 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, and on May 15 at 11:00 a.m. at 101 University Drive, Suite C4, in Amherst. Please RSVP to Melissa Cryan at melissa.cryan at state.ma.us<mailto:melissa.cryan at state.ma.us> if interested in PARC and Conservation Partnership grants or Celia Riechel at celia.riechel at state.ma.us<mailto:celia.riechel at state.ma.us> if interested in a LAND grant. Applications for PARC and LAND grants are due by July 12. Conservation Partnership applications are due by July 16.



Reminders - These opportunities listed in the last CZ-Mail are still available:

·         Green Infrastructure Technical Assistance - EPA's Green Infrastructure Program is seeking applications for direct assistance to facilitate the use of green infrastructure to protect water quality. Technical assistance will be directed to watersheds with significant water quality degradation associated with urban stormwater. Approximately $950,000 is available to fund 10-20 projects. For details, see the EPA Green Infrastructure website<http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/greeninfrastructure/>. Letters of interest are due by April 6.

·         Nature Conservancy Restoration Grants - The Nature Conservancy (TNC), in partnership with NOAA's Community-Based Restoration Program, is seeking proposals for projects at TNC priority sites throughout the United States and its territories to restore or enhance estuarine, marine, and anadromous species and their habitats. For details, see the Request for Proposals<http://www.habitat.noaa.gov/pdf/rfp_tnc-noaa_crp_partnership_2012.pdf> (PDF, 315 KB). Proposals are due by April 13.

·         Sounds Conservancy Grants - The Sounds Conservancy Grants Program<http://qlf.org/atlantic_program/Sounds/sounds.htm> is dedicated to supporting the conservation and restoration of the sounds of Long Island, Fishers Island, Block Island, Rhode Island, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket and their adjacent coastlines in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. The program encourages and supports projects that lead to improved marine and coastal resource management with funding up to $2,500 available to university, college, and high school students, private individuals, and nonprofit organizations. Applications must be postmarked by May 1.



Products/Publications

Coastal Management-Call for Papers for Special Issue - The Coastal Society is seeking submissions for a special theme issue of the journal Coastal Management in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). This special issue will focus on successful implementation of the CZMA and the impacts of state and local efforts, with an emphasis on innovations that are likely to be instrumental in coastal management at the local, state, regional, and national levels over the next 40 years. For details, see the Call for Papers<http://www.thecoastalsociety.org/pdf/CMJ_Call_for_Papers_CZMA_40th_Anniversary_021212.pdf> (PDF, 19 KB). Abstracts are due by April 13.



Methodology for Assessing Impact of Sea Level Rise on Storm Surge - The January 2012 issue of Natural Hazards features the paper, "Assessing future risk: Quantifying the effects of sea level rise on storm surge risk for the southern shores of Long Island, New York<http://www.springerlink.com/content/p85t032723506176/>," by the Nature Conservancy, the NOAA Coastal Services Center (CSC), and the Association of State Floodplain Managers. Researchers applied a GIS-based approach to quantify potential changes in storm surge risk due to sea level rise on Long Island, New York. The paper demonstrates a method for combining hazard exposure and community vulnerability to spatially characterize risk for present and future sea level conditions using commonly available national data sets. In addition, a case study of the project is available from CSC's Digital Coast website<http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/inundation/longisland>.



Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge - The January-March 2012 issue of Environmental Research Letters features the article "Modeling sea level rise impacts on storm surges along US coasts<http://iopscience.iop.org/1748-9326/7/1/014032>," which investigates the influence of sea level rise on expected storm surge-driven water levels and their frequencies along the contiguous United States. Researchers estimate that by mid-century, some locations may experience high water levels annually that would qualify today as 100-year floods (i.e., having a chance of occurrence of 1% annually). Today's 100-year levels become 10-year levels (having a chance of 10% annually) or more frequent events at about a third of the study areas, and the majority of locations see substantially higher frequency of previously rare storm-driven water heights in the future.



Evaluation of Building Codes in Hurricane-Prone States - The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has released Rating the States: An Assessment of Residential Building Codes and Enforcement Systems for Life Safety and Property Protection in Hurricane-Prone Regions<http://www.disastersafety.org/research/article?articleId=6923>, a report that provides an analysis of residential building codes in 18 hurricane-prone states along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coasts. The report includes information about the value of codes, an overview of the building code process, information about the vulnerability of hurricane-prone states, a state-by-state analysis, and the codes currently in effect in each state.



Retrofitting of Flood-Prone Homes - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has updated the publication Engineering Principles and Practices of Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures<http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=1645> to help local governments, engineers, architects, and property owners involved in planning and implementing residential flood retrofitting projects. The guidance provides engineering design and economic guidance on what constitutes feasible and cost-effective retrofitting measures for flood-prone residential structures. It discusses elevation, relocation, dry floodproofing, wet floodproofing, and levees and floodwalls. Appendices include sources of FEMA funding and a summary of National Flood Insurance Program requirements and best practices.



Federal Climate Change Adaptation Activities - The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (formerly the Pew Center on Global Climate Change) has released Climate Change Adaptation: What Federal Agencies Are Doing<http://www.pewclimate.org/docUploads/federal-agencies-adaptation.pdf> (PDF, 6.6 MB), an updated report that summarizes the climate change adaptation initiatives and strategies by federal agencies. The report includes several examples of federal projects that incorporate the impacts of climate change and adaptive actions into planning, design, and implementation processes.



Adaptation Planning Guidebook - The Center for Climate Strategies has released Comprehensive Climate Action: An Adaptation Guidebook<http://www.climatestrategies.us/articles/articles/view/40/>, which presents a methodology for developing and implementing an adaptation strategy at the multi-state, state, regional, or local levels.



Homeowner's Insurance Report - The Consumer Federation of America has released The Insurance Industry's Incredible Disappearing Weather Catastrophe Risk<http://colorado.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b72140489b80a4574373938a1&id=43aef1816b&e=4051a4f944> (PDF, 300 KB), a report that shows how insurance companies have significantly shifted the cost of extreme weather to consumers. Policies now have higher deductibles and capped payouts, therefore much of the cost of extreme weather is now shouldered by policyholders. This creates a great reliance on federal disaster assistance, so taxpayers also take on a larger share of this risk.



Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds - EPA has released Identifying and Protecting Healthy Watersheds: Concepts, Assessments, and Management Approaches<http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/watershed/hw_techdocument.cfm>, a technical document that provides state water quality and aquatic resource scientists and managers an overview of the key concepts behind the Healthy Watersheds Initiative. The initiative is intended to preserve and maintain natural ecosystems by protecting healthy watersheds, preventing them from becoming impaired, and accelerating restoration successes. The initiative encourages states to take a strategic, systems approach to protecting healthy watersheds and preventing future water quality impairments.



Construction Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Template - EPA has released a template for construction operators<http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/swppp.cfm> to use when developing stormwater pollution prevention plans, which are site-specific documents required as part of EPA's new 2012 Construction General Permit<http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/const.cfm>. The template is designed to help construction operators develop a stormwater pollution prevention plan that is compliant with the minimum requirements of the new permit. The template allows operators to customize the document to the needs of the site, and includes tables and other fields that are easy to fill out.



Massachusetts Bays Window - The latest issue of the Massachusetts Bays Window<http://www.mass.gov/envir/massbays/activities.htm>, the eNewsletter of the Massachusetts Bays Program, highlights projects and activities occurring throughout the five Mass Bays regions, including the completion of the Salem Sound to Boston Kayak guide, progress by the Great Marsh Revitalization Task Force on Phragmites management, Green Harbor River Restoration monitoring in Marshfield, and internship opportunities on Cape Cod.



MIT Sea Grant Newsletter - The March 2012 newsletter<http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=n7ootodab&v=001AOTdCtwnZM9-VWrR9taEaxPEVXrHEUyk_F-80HoWqP3pd8pBIaRTAmEjfywyF-Su2BUcMx5BND0THvF_iuYhwz1UBiLGxyupbfC2LdpLc63YZuU-xmimCA%3D%3D> of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sea Grant College Program features details on new ocean and coastal research, student awards, internship opportunities, and other marine-related news.



Natural Hazards Observer - The March 2012 issue of the Natural Hazards Observer<http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/o/>, the bimonthly periodical of the Natural Hazards Center in Boulder, Colorado, features articles on using social media to report disaster information, biodiversity, heat waves and climate change, and other natural hazards news and information.



Stellwagen Bank E-Notes - The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary has released the first edition of Stellwagen Bank E-Notes<http://stellwagen.noaa.gov/library/pdfs/enotes_mar2012.pdf> (PDF, 482 KB), a newsletter that provides the latest information about sanctuary research, education, and resource conservation. This inaugural issue includes articles on the 20th anniversary of the sanctuary, a 20th anniversary calendar, and other sanctuary news and notes. To subscribe, send your email address to stellwagen at noaa.gov<mailto:stellwagen at noaa.gov>.



Marine Protected Area Newsletter - The March-April 2012 issue of MPA News<http://depts.washington.edu/mpanews/MPA125.htm> features articles on reaching marine protected area (MPA) global coverage goals, lesson learned in MPA management, and other MPA news and notes.



Websites

Nutrient Pollution Websites - EPA has unveiled a two new websites on nutrient pollution, one of America's most widespread, costly, and challenging environmental problems that is caused by excess nitrogen and phosphorus in the air and water. Nutrient Pollution<http://epa.gov/nutrientpollution> is designed for homeowners, students, and educators and features information on the problem of nutrient pollution, sources and impacts of the pollution, and what people can do to reduce the problem. The site also features an interactive map of local case studies. Nutrient Pollution Policy and Data<http://epa.gov/nandppolicy> provides information on EPA actions to reduce nutrient pollution, state efforts to develop numeric nutrient criteria, and EPA tools, data, research, and reports related to nutrient pollution.



GreenScaping - EPA's GreenScaping website<http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/rrr/greenscapes/owners.htm> provides ideas and useful tips for greenscaping-environmentally friendly practices to improve the health and appearance of your lawn and garden.



Coastal County Snapshots Tool Updated - Coastal County Snapshots<http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/snapshots/> from the NOAA Coastal Services Center provide a quick look at a county's flood exposure, ocean economy, and benefits from wetlands using easy-to-understand charts and graphs. The snapshots have been updated to incorporate data from the 2010 Census, the best available national floodplain data, and other new information.



Climate Data Online Service Updates - NOAA's National Climatic Data Center has released an updated version of Climate Data Online<http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/search>, which provides access to climate data products through a searchable web-mapping service. A variety of products are available, including the Global Historical Climatology Network, a composite of climate records from numerous sources, and the new 1981-2010 normals-annual, monthly, daily, and hourly climate data.



Climate Change Video Series - The NOAA Climate Program Office and Osher Lifelong Learning Institute have released Climate Change: Impacts, Solutions, and Perceptions, an eight-session video series that provides a detailed introduction to climate science. Experts present information about climate change communication, the state of the climate, mitigation and adaptation, the difference between weather and climate, and more. Watch the videos on the NOAA website<http://www.climate.gov/#climateWatch/videos>.



Digital Coast Webinars - Recordings of several Digital Coast Webinars<http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/webinar/archive.html> from the NOAA Coastal Services Center are now available online (scroll down for recorded webinars). New recordings include webinars on community resilience, sea level rise, and coastal flooding.



40 Years of the Clean Water Act - EPA has launched the Water Is Worth It website<http://owpubauthor.epa.gov/action/cleanwater40c/> to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the law for protecting the nation's waters. This year, EPA will highlight the tremendous progress to reduce pollution since 1972, including the many milestones along the way.



Public Comment

Right Whale ESA Review - NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking comments and the best scientific and commercial data available for the 5-year review of North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) and North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). For more information and to submit comments, go to www.regulations.gov<http://www.regulations.gov/> and search for document number NOAA-NMFS-2012-0057. Comments are due by April 20.



Boating Infrastructure Grant Program - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments on proposed changes to the regulations governing the administration of the national Boating Infrastructure Grant Program<http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/BIG/BIG.htm>. The proposed rule will clarify the current program requirements, adjust the ranking criteria for competitive awards to correspond to the priorities in the Sportfishing and Boating Safety Act, organize questions and answers to reflect the life cycle of the grant, and reword and reformat regulations following federal plain language policy and current rulemaking guidance. For more information and to submit comments, go to www.regulations.gov<http://www.regulations.gov/> and search for document number FWS-R9-WSR-2011-0083-0001. Comments are due by May 29.



Job Postings

State Parks Ambassadors - The Department of Conservation and Recreation<http://www.mass.gov/dcr/> (DCR) is looking for a State Parks Youth Ambassador<http://www.mass.gov/dcr/documents/DCR%20Youth%20Ambassador%20Overview%20and%20Application.pdf> (PDF, 420 KB) and a State Parks Senior Ambassador<http://www.mass.gov/dcr/documents/DCR%20Senior%20Ambassador%20Overview%20and%20Application.pdf> (PDF, 423 KB) to explore the diversity of DCR's parks, from Mt. Greylock in the Berkshires to the Boston Harbor Islands, showcase the breadth of natural, cultural, and historic resources, and share their connection to Massachusetts State Parks in a fun and adventurous way. Applications are due by April 7.



Waquoit Bay Internships - The Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve<http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org/index.aspx> (WBNERR) is seeking applications for three internships. The Environmental Science/Data Analysis Intern will analyze data collected by WBNERR. The Education Intern will assist in the development, planning, and implementation of children's, family, and adult programs. The Environmental Science Intern will work with education staff to design interpretive signage. For details, see the job announcement<http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org/HotLinks/2012_3%20Summer%20Intern%20Positions.pdf> (PDF, 350 KB). Applications are due by April 9.



Ocean Science Internship - The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sea Grant program is seeking applications for the Ocean Science Internship<http://seagrant.mit.edu/osi_application.php>. The four high school students selected for this paid internship will work collaboratively to investigate the intertidal zone in the Boston Harbor Islands. The student work is part of an ongoing ecological assessment and non-native species monitoring effort conducted by MIT Sea Grant in collaboration with the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. Applications are due by April 13.



Marine Education Internship - The Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (PCCS) is seeking applications for a Marine Education Internship<http://www.coastalstudies.org/who-we-are/employment.htm>. Interns will assist with environmental education programs, including on-site programs, off-site programs, and festivals, including PCCS's new Whale Week: A Celebration of the Sea. Interns must have their own transportation, and housing is not provided. Applications are due by April 15.



Beach Sister Fellow - The Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant is accepting applications for a Beach Sister Program Fellow. With support from Americorps and the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship, the selected fellow will be responsible for developing and coordinating a new program, Beach Sister, with school-aged girls at Girls Inc., a non-profit center in neighboring Lynn. The Beach Sister program will provide opportunities for school-aged girls living in an environmental justice community to develop scientific inquiry and citizenship skills and to learn about studies and careers in marine science. The Fellow will be responsible for expanding the Peer Leader program for teens, developing a more substantial middle school curriculum, providing training and capacity-building opportunities for Girls Inc. staff, and carrying out a formal strategic planning and evaluation effort. For details, see the Big Sister Fellow announcement<http://www.northeastern.edu/marinescience/pdf/masspromise2012.pdf> (PDF, 66KB).



Calendar

Climate Adaptation Training for Local Governments - From April 24-26, WBNERR's Coastal Training Program will hold a three-day Coastal Adaptation Training<http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org/eventshow.aspx?eventid=337> to provide municipal staff and community groups with a climate adaptation toolkit to proactively address adaptation planning priorities in the context of local government. The course will be taught by NOAA Coastal Services Center staff and local partners including CZM's Shoreline and Floodplain Manager, Julia Knisel. This workshop is targeted to southeastern Massachusetts. Space is limited and registration is required by April 10.



Ocean Frontiers - In April, a new documentary, Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship, will premiere in Boston and Cape Cod. On April 3, the Boston premiere<http://tinyurl.com/oceanfrontiersboston> will be at the New England Aquarium's Simons IMAX Theatre. On April 22, the Cape Cod premiere<http://www.ccmnh.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=465> will be at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. Both events are free and open to the public. Registration is requested.



Stormwater Management Workshops - On April 3, 5, and 12, the MassDEP Regional Circuit Rider Program will present three free Stormwater Management in Massachusetts workshops<http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/wastewater/swevents.htm> for municipal staff, volunteers, and other government officials in MassDEP's Southeast Region<http://www.mass.gov/dep/about/region/southeas.htm>. Workshop topics include jurisdiction, components of stormwater management, requirements for erosion control, construction issues, and state stormwater management standards.



Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts Viewer Webinar - On April 4, the NOAA Coastal Services Center will present the webinar Ask the Experts: Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts Viewer<http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/seminars/2012/04-apr.html#OneNOAAScienceSeminars_04Apr2012_Marcy>. This viewer is a next generation tool that allows users to visualize the potential height and inland extent of water to provide a better understanding of the corresponding impacts and consequences. For this webinar, participants will have the opportunity to log on for a live question and answer session with a panel of technical experts who developed the tool. As a prerequisite, participants should view the recording of the November 2011 webinar<http://noaacsc.adobeconnect.com/p3h5x2ubnkc/>, which features a demonstration of the Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts Viewer, as well as background on its development.



Wetland Restoration Workshop - On April 5, as part of the 2012 Decision Maker Workshop Series<http://www.savebuzzardsbay.org/decisionmaker>, the Buzzards Bay Coalition will hold a Make Restoration Happen workshop in Wareham. This session will feature Tim Purinton, Director of the Department of Fish and Game's Division of Ecological Restoration. Topics will include managing multi-source funding, permitting, planning and design, and managing construction.



Native Plants Lecture - On April 7 at 10 a.m., the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge will hold a free lecture at the Newbury Elementary School by Doug Tallamy, author of Bring Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens. For questions, contact Nancy Pau or Sarah Janson at (978) 465-5753 x203. This lecture is part of the recently launched Slow the Flow Campaign<http://www.PIESlowTheFlow.com> to improve water quality in Plum Island Estuary. The Refuge is offering landowners grants of $500-$1000 each to make backyard landscaping more environmentally friendly (see Grants/Funding/Proposal Opportunities section above).



Right Whales Lecture - On April 7, Mass Audubon's Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary will host the talk Right Whales on the Brink<http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Wellfleet/news.php?id=1912&event=no> by Dr. Stormy Mayo of the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. Right whales of the North Atlantic Ocean are the rarest of the great whales, on the brink of extinction and threatened by entanglement in fishing gear and the effects of climate change. Dr. Mayo will describe the status of the right whale, its history, and the major efforts to understand and protect them. Included in this discussion are the results of scientific studies that will be used to change the management of the Cape Cod Bay right whale habitat, one of the last known winter and early spring feeding grounds for the species.



Community Stormwater Conference - On April 12, the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition will hold the Community Stormwater Conference<http://www.commonwaters.org/events/community-stormwater-conference> at Worcester State University. Keynote speaker Curt Spalding, EPA Region 1 Administrator, will share stormwater updates with a focus on EPA's "Soak up the Rain Campaign," which helps people reduce polluted runoff. The meeting will feature workshops about growing greener, aquatic ecosystems, low-cost runoff remedies, erosion control, porous paving, Best Management Practices ratings, and more. Expert speakers will offer practical guidance for municipal officials, town planners, lake and pond groups, watershed organizations, highway departments, home builders, engineers, and concerned citizens.



National Planning Conference - From April 14-17, the American Planning Association will hold the National Planning Conference<http://colorado.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b72140489b80a4574373938a1&id=2c8be9af83&e=4051a4f944> in Los Angeles, California. This conference will offer sessions and workshops that address issues in urban and environmental planning, regional planning, natural hazard risk reduction, and others. Topics include urban forestry, climate change, the cost of sea level rise, urban agriculture, hazard mitigation, fire management and ecological restoration, and disaster risk reduction.



APCC Breakfast Talk - On April 17, the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) will host a Science Breakfast<http://www.apcc.org/content/home-0> at the Wequassett Inn in Harwich. APCC Staff Biologist Tara Nye and Senior Scientist Dr. Jo Ann Muramoto will speak on the challenges threatening Cape Cod's natural resources.



Environmental Business Council Award Nominations - On June 6, the Environmental Business Council of New England (EBC) will hold the 22nd annual Meeting and Awards Celebration<http://www.ebcne.org/index.php?id=77&no_cache=1&tx_ciceventscalendar_pi1%5bcaldatets%5d=1335844800&tx_ciceventscalendar_pi1%5blistcat%5d=5&tx_ciceventscalendar_pi1%5bsinuid%5d=803&cHash=ed5b628de692ed4b78eb99a075d3088c> in Boston. Each year, EBC recognizes companies, organizations, and individuals for outstanding environmental/energy accomplishments in the promotion of a sustainable, clean environment through this awards celebration. Submit nominations<http://www.ebcne.org/index.php?id=780&rid=f_7872&mid=2177&aC=0e97f515&jumpurl=11> by April 17.



Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference - From April 17-19, the 68th annual Northeast Fish and Wildlife Conference<http://www.neafwa.org/> will be held in Charleston, West Virginia. The theme of the 2012 conference is Celebrating 75 Years of Success: A Partnership for America's Fish & Wildlife. This annual event will attract more than 500 natural resources professionals in the fields of wildlife biology, fisheries and fisheries management, information and education, and law enforcement. The event provides opportunities for education, discussion, and exchange of ideas. Highlights include more than 50 workshop sessions, keynote speakers, poster displays, and social networking events.



Stormwater Retrofit Webcast - On April 18, the Center for Watershed Protection will present the webcast Build This- Stormwater Retrofit Construction Issues<http://www.cwp.org/our-work/training/webcasts.html#Next%20Webcast>. This webcast will introduce the primary lessons learned with retrofit construction projects, provide some useful tools, and give details on successful and failed retrofit projects.



Massachusetts Park Serve Day - On April 21, DCR's sixth annual Park Serve Day<http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parkserve/> will be held at state parks and beaches throughout the Commonwealth. This statewide day of volunteer service helps to get Massachusetts parks and beaches ready for summer. Since 2007, thousands of volunteers have participated in dozens of projects, including picking up litter along ocean beaches, clearing debris from hiking trails, painting benches, and planting trees and flowers at picnic areas.



Flood Management Conference - On April 24, the sixth annual Rhode Island Flood Mitigation Association Conference<http://ri.floods.org/annualconference.html>, Good Night Irene: Mitigating for the Next Disaster, will be held in Lincoln, Rhode Island. The conference will focus on the variety of impacts Hurricane Irene had on the Northeast.



Ceres Conference - From April 25-26, the Ceres Conference 2012<http://www.ceres.org/conference>, Igniting Innovation, Scaling Sustainability, will be held in Boston. Attendees will engage in a dynamic and interactive program that will examine some of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges, create a forum for sharing best practices, and present groundbreaking solutions to achieve a more sustainable economy. Ceres is a national network of investors, environmental organizations, and other public interest groups working with companies and investors to address sustainability challenges.



Water Resources Symposium - On April 27, Tufts University's Water: Systems, Science, and Society Program (WSSS) and the Massachusetts Water Resources Research Center will hold the third annual WSSS Interdisciplinary Water Symposium<http://www.tufts.edu/water/symposium.html> at Tufts University in Medford. The theme for the 2012 symposium is The Glass Half Full: Valuing Water in the 21st Century. Students, academics, and professionals in the greater Boston area and across the nation from the public, private, and non-governmental sectors will explore the various complex and interlinking factors of valuing water throughout developed and developing nations.



Climate Modeling Workshop - From April 27-28, the National Academies will host A National Strategy for Advancing Climate Modeling<http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/meetingview.aspx?MeetingId=5024> in Boulder, Colorado. Climate models are the foundation for understanding and projecting climate and climate-related changes and are thus critical tools for supporting climate-related decision making. This workshop will discuss developing a national strategy for advancing climate modeling over the next 10-20 years and will draw upon input from leaders within the community to understand these challenges.



Massachusetts Marine Educators Conference - On April 28, the Massachusetts Marine Educators will hold its 36th Conference and Annual Meeting<http://massmarineeducators.org/whoi2012.php> in the Redfield Auditorium at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The 2012 conference will discuss how marine scientists are using technology and engineering to advance the understanding of marine science. For more information, contact Erin Hobbs at president-elect at massmarineeducators.org<mailto:president-elect at massmarineeducators.org>.



Coastal Cities Summit - From April 30-May 3, the Coastal Cities Summit II<http://www.coastalcities-ioi.org/> will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida. Coastal cities share a common need to support smart urban development and economic growth while maintaining the health of local ecosystems. The Summit will provide a venue to discuss risks, environmental vulnerabilities, and smart growth opportunities, and provide information about innovative programs and approaches that communities are implementing to preserve and restore natural assets.



Science Policy Conference - From April 30-May 3, the American Geophysical Union will hold the Science Policy Conference<http://colorado.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b72140489b80a4574373938a1&id=ea0fbff2c1&e=4051a4f944> in Washington, DC. This conference will examine the science that informs policy decisions related to natural hazards, natural resources, oceans, and the Arctic. Topics include improved natural hazards preparedness and mitigation strategies, severe weather effects on agriculture and food prices, coastal transformations caused by sea level rise and erosion, and local business continuity strategies.



National Monitoring Conference - From April 30-May 4, the National Water Quality Monitoring Council will host the eighth National Monitoring Conference<http://acwi.gov/monitoring/conference/2012/>, Water: One Resource - Shared Effort - Common Future, in Portland, Oregon. The conference will focus on the many facets of water quality and quantity monitoring for improved understanding, protection, and restoration of natural resources and communities.



Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard Webinar - On May 2, NOAA's Coastal Services Center will present the webinar Using the New Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS)<http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/seminars/2012/05-may.html#OneNOAAScienceSeminars_02May2012_Finkbeiner>. This standard provides a new national framework for incorporating data on all the major components of the landscape and seascape, collected by methods ranging from satellite imagery to grab samples. This webinar will introduce the structure of the CMECS system, describe how it can be used in the environment, and present examples of CMECS spatial data products. The webinar will also address ways that this national standard can be applied to coastal issues.



Disaster Dataset Workshop - From May 3-4, NOAA's National Climatic Data Center will hold the workshop U.S. Billion Dollar Disasters Dataset (1980-2011): Assessing Dataset Strengths and Weaknesses for a Pathway to an Improved Dataset<https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/03/14/2012-6069/dataset-workshop-us-billion-dollar-disasters-dataset-1980-2011-assessing-dataset-strengths-and> in Asheville, North Carolina. The workshop will focus on a review, discussion, and evaluation of NOAA's U.S. Billion Dollar Disasters (1980-2011) dataset and associated methods used to develop the data set. Space is limited, so RSVP to Karen Miller at Karen.L.Miller at noaa.gov<mailto:Karen.L.Miller at noaa.gov> by April 27.



National Coastal Conference-Call for Abstracts - From October 9-12, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) will hold its National Coastal Conference in San Diego, California. The theme of the 2012 conference is Rising to the Challenge, recognizing the increase in challenges to protect and maintain coastal areas. See the Call for Abstracts<http://www.asbpa.org/pdfs/2012SanDiegoCallforPapers.pdf> (PDF, 52 KB), which are due by May 4.



Whale Workshop for Teachers - From May 5-6, the New Bedford Whaling Museum<http://www.whalingmuseum.org/> in partnership with the Museum Institute for Teaching Science will hold Schooling with Whales, a professional development workshop for teachers in grades 3-6. This 10-hour training will introduce teachers to whale-related topics that can be used to teach concepts prescribed by state core science, mathematics, and literacy frameworks. The workshop will demonstrate ways to use whales to teach food chains, math, geography, reading comprehension, and taxonomy. Participants will be provided with a packet of activities and links to useful websites. For more information and to register, contact Robert Rocha at rrocha at whalingmuseum.org<mailto:rrocha at whalingmuseum.org>.



Statewide Hurricane Conference-Save the Date - On May 9, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) will hold a Statewide Hurricane Conference at the Devens Commons Center<http://www.devenscommoncenter.com/> in Devens. This full-day conference will present various hurricane preparedness topics in preparation for the 2012 hurricane season and will feature break-out workshops, presentations, and panel discussions. Guest speakers are expected from the National Hurricane Center, National Weather Service, FEMA, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Stay tuned to the MEMA website<http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/> for details and registration information.



Pollution and Erosion Tool Training - On May 10, NOAA's Coastal Services Center will hold an online training on the Nonpoint-Source Pollution and Erosion Comparison Tool<http://www.csc.noaa.gov/digitalcoast/tools/nspect/index.html>, a tool for Arc-GIS that provides projections and maps of surface water runoff volumes, pollutant loads, pollutant concentrations, and total sediment loads.



Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference - From May 15-16, the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission will hold the 23rd annual Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference<http://www.neiwpcc.org/npsconference> in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This conference is the premier forum in the Northeast for sharing information and improving communication on nonpoint source pollution issues and projects.



Marine Spatial Planning Symposium - On May 16, the 11th annual Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium, International Marine Spatial Planning: Sharing Practical Solutions<http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/baird/2012_marineplanning/2012_marineplanning.html> will be held in Providence, Rhode Island. This all-day event will bring together international marine spatial planning (MSP) experts to discuss more mature MSP initiatives and the implications of different approaches. Panelists from around the globe will discuss topics including: how does MSP affect economic, ecological, and regulatory issues as well as options for structuring the governance system; integrating science and local knowledge in the planning and analysis process; and bridging the gap between planning and the implementation of a marine spatial plan.



Flood Management Conference-Call for Abstracts - From September 4-7, the Flood Management Association with hold its 2012 Annual Conference<http://www.floodplain.org/conference.php> in Sacramento, California. Join floodplain management experts and policy makers to address the changing federal stormwater and environmental standards. See the Call for Abstracts<http://www.floodplain.org/cmsAdmin/uploads/Call_for_Abstracts_2012-2.pdf> (PDF, 131 KB), which are due by May 18.



Floodplain Management Conference - From May 20-25, the Association of State Floodplain Managers will hold the 36th annual Flood Conference<http://asfpmconference.org/>, Mission Mitigation, in San Antonio, Texas. Join 1,200 industry experts at plenary and concurrent sessions and share the state-of-the-art in techniques, programs, and resources to accomplish flood mitigation, watershed management, and other community goals.



Wetland Creation Workshop - From May 22-24, Mass Audubon's Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary will hold a Hands-On Wetland Creation Workshop<http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Long_Pasture/news.php?id=1909&event=no> for individuals interested in learning how to use practical, low cost techniques for building wetlands for wildlife. Participants will see how wetland projects can be planned in forested and open areas, on vast expanses of public land, and even on school grounds.



Horseshoe Crab Ecology Workshop - From June 1-3, the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary will host a Green Eggs & Sand Teacher Workshop<http://www.massaudubon.org/catalog/listing.php?program_code=1087-WF12SP1>. This workshop on horseshoe crab ecology is targeted to middle and high school teachers. Throughout the workshop, experts will present details on horseshoe crabs, shorebirds, biomedical use of horseshoe crabs, and horseshoe crab management. Participants will visit the sanctuary beach at high tide to observe horseshoe crab spawning and shorebird feeding, and have the opportunity to help biologists tag horseshoe crabs.



Coastal Society Conference - From June 3-6, the Coastal Society's 23rd Biennial International Conference, Our Coasts, Our Heritage: Ecosystem Services for the Common Good, will be held in Miami, Florida. For information, see the Coastal Society Conference website<http://www.thecoastalsociety.org/conference/tcs23/index.html>.



New Bedford Whaling Museum Lectures - Through May, the New Bedford Whaling Museum will host a Speakers' Series<http://www.whalingmuseum.org/programs/speakers-series> featuring unique lectures that focus on sailing, man and whales, and the significant holdings in the Museum collection.



Wednesday Walks - On Wednesdays through April, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History will hold a series of walks with naturalist Connie Boyce. For details, see the museum calendar<http://www.ccmnh.org/index.php?module=PostCalendar&func=view&tplview=default&viewtype=month&Date=20120401&pc_username=&pc_category=&pc_topic=>.



Spring Walks in Harwich - The Harwich Conservation Trust has posted its schedule of spring walks. All walks are free and open to the public. See the Trust's website<http://www.harwichconservationtrust.org/walks_2012.htm>.



Summer Science School - In July and August, the Waquoit Bay Reserve Foundation sponsors a Science School for students entering grades 2-9. Each session is one week and children are permitted to attend one session. For details, see the program brochure<http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org/HotLinks/2012%20Science%20School.pdf> (PDF, 36 KB).



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

·         NEERS Spring Meeting - From April 12-14, the New England Estuarine Research Society (NEERS) will hold its Spring 2012 Meeting<http://www.neers.org/main/meetings/meetingindex.htm> in Plymouth. Meeting presentations will be on a variety of topics related to estuaries and coastal environments.

·         Environmental, Energy & Engineering Career Day - On April 13, the Environmental Business Council (EBC) will hold the 8th annual Environmental, Energy & Engineering Career Day<http://www.ebcne.org/index.php?id=77&no_cache=1&tx_ciceventscalendar_pi1%5bcaldatets%5d=1333252800&tx_ciceventscalendar_pi1%5bsinuid%5d=793&cHash=9b0441fa1632a9b8cdd4e689abd1c025> in Boston. EBC's Career Day is a great opportunity for environmental professionals, recent graduates, and students to learn about career opportunities in New England.

·         Charles River Cleanup - On April 21 from 9:00 a.m. to noon, the 13th annual Charles River Cleanup<http://www.crwa.org/cleanup.html> will be held as part of American Rivers' National River Cleanup<http://www.americanrivers.org/site/PageServer?pagename=AR7_NationalRiverCleanup>. The cleanup, which coincides with DCR's Park Serve Day, will bring out thousands of volunteers to help to beautify the Charles River and its tributaries. Volunteers will pick up trash and clean the riverbanks at more than 100 sites from Bellingham to Boston.

·         Teachers on the Estuary - This summer, WBNERR will offer a research and field-based teacher training program called Teachers on the Estuary<http://www.waquoitbayreserve.org/teacher-training.shtml>. This program is designed to improve teachers' and students' understanding of the environment using local research examples, as well as to provide resources and experience to support the incorporation of estuary and watershed topics into classroom teaching. The WBNERR program is from July 9-12, plus a follow-up session on November 17 and in the spring 2013. Applications are due by April 22.

·         Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference - From April 24-26, the fifth annual Global Marine Renewable Energy Conference<http://www.globalmarinerenewable.com/> will be held in Washington, DC. This conference will explore how to create a more sustainable energy future with a diverse power generation portfolio that includes marine renewable energy technologies. Expert panelists will discuss their strategic visions, near-term objectives, and challenges faced with deploying these innovative technologies.

·         Oceans, Climate, and Security Conference - From May 21-23, the Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate, and Security at the University of Massachusetts Boston will host the Global Conference on Oceans, Climate, and Security<http://www.gcocs.org/> (GC '12). GC '12 will examine the conditions that are likely to be produced by climate change, how these conditions will affect coastal and ocean ecosystems and communities, and how they may affect human and national security interests. Speakers will include U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco.

·         Boating Safety Course - Through June, the Massachusetts Environmental Police offers Boat Massachusetts<http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dle/courselist.htm>, a free, state and nationally approved boating safety course for boaters age 12 and older, which concentrates on the equipment and operating guidelines needed to enjoy boating in a safe and responsible way. All graduates ages 12-15 will receive a safety certificate that allows operation of a motorboat without adult supervision, as required by state law. All graduates ages 16-17 will also be allowed to operate a personal watercraft (jet ski, wave runner, etc.).



CZM in the News

Below are links to recent news and journal articles that feature CZM. (Articles may only be available for a limited time. Not working? Try copying the web address directly into your browser, rather than clicking on it.)

·         Should I-4,C-2 remain in Designated Port Area? (Gloucester Times, 3/31/12) -
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x1560873271/Should-I-4-C-2-remain-in-Designated-Port-Area

·         Buzzards Bay at a crossroads in battle against pollution (SouthCoastToday.com, 3/11/12) -
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120311/NEWS/203110327&cid=sitesearch

·         Greening Martha: Massachusetts releases improved web based mapping tool (Martha's Vineyard Times, 3/7/12) -
http://www.mvtimes.com/marthas-vineyard/article.php?id=9749

·         State officials seek public comment on no-discharge area planned for Mt. Hope Bay, lower Taunton River (Herald News, 3/7/12) -
http://www.heraldnews.com/newsnow/x1160498040/State-officials-seek-public-comment-on-no-discharge-area-planned-for-Mt-Hope-Bay-lower-Taunton-River



In the News

Below are links to recent news and journal articles on coastal issues. (Articles may only be available for a limited time. Not working? Try copying the web address directly into your browser, rather than clicking on it.)

·         Reports link heat waves, deluges to climate change (Washington Post, 3/28/12) -
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/reports-link-heat-waves-deluges-to-climate-change/2012/03/27/gIQA16wVgS_story.html

·         Developers: Rules, lack of return stopped I-4, C-2 bids (Gloucester Times, 3/27/12) -
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x684075174/Developers-Rules-lack-of-return-stopped-I-4-C-2-bids

·         An early herring: Warming trend moves up start of annual alewife count (Daily News of Newburyport, 3/26/12) -
http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x684073961/An-early-herring

·         Plum Island house lost to the sea won't be rebuilt (Boston.com, 3/25/12) -
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2012/03/25/after_a_long_but_successful_battle_plum_island_woman_wont_rebuild_house_lost_to_the_sea/?page=1

·         Empty shells by the Seashore (Cape Cod Times, 3/25/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120325/NEWS/203250336/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Report: City needs to loosen DPA rules (Gloucester Times, 3/24/12) -
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x684072798/Report-City-needs-to-loosen-DPA-rules

·         Threatened alewives make early return (Cape Cod Times, 3/23/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120323/NEWS/203230336/-1/NEWS01

·         Whale Center closing Harbor Loop doors (Gloucester Times, 3/23/12) -
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/topstories/x1560864698/Whale-Center-closing-Harbor-Loop-doors

·         State officials honor Martha's Vineyard native John Hughes (EEA Press Release, 3/23/12) -
http://www.mass.gov/eea/pr-2012/120323-pr-honoring-john-hughes.html

·         House plans face dissent: Erosion, terms of state loan concern residents (Daily News of Newburyport, 3/22/12) -
http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x1440948477/House-plans-face-dissent

·         Cape Cod boaters urged to steer clear of endangered North Atlantic right whales (Boston.com, 3/22/12) -
http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2012/03/boaters-off-cape-urged-steer-clear-endangered-north-atlantic-right-whale/amrIgONdrJ90LvylyW3xDO/index.html?p1=Well_Local_Links

·         Mariners warned about right whales (Cape Cod Times, 3/22/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120322/NEWS/203220343/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         P'town officials press Seashore to fix battered beach lot (Cape Cod Times, 3/20/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120320/NEWS/203200309/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Razing of Chatham cottages begins (Cape Cod Times, 3/20/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120320/NEWS/203200315/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Chatham police chief delays cottage removal (Cape Cod Times, 3/17/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120317/NEWS/203170326/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Herring River plan to take more time (Cape Cod Times, 3/16/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120316/NEWS/203160329&cid=sitesearch

·         US begins to dismantle 5 Cape cottages (Boston.com, 3/14/12) -
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/03/14/cape_cod_national_seashore_proceeds_with_dismantling_of_beach_cottages_drawing_ire_of_chatham_residents/

·         Sea level studies: US coasts even more vulnerable than previously thought (Christian Science Monitor, 3/14/12) -
http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2012/0314/Sea-level-studies-US-coasts-even-more-vulnerable-than-previously-thought

·         Pleas fail to sway Seashore chief on Chatham cottages (Cape Cod Times, 3/13/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120313/NEWS/203130311/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Anti-wind farm group punished for violations (Cape Cod Times, 3/13/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120313/NEWS/203130320/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Seashore chief warns Chatham on cottages (Cape Cod Times, 3/10/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120310/NEWS/203100343/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Noise from wind farms is subject for detailed study (Vineyard Gazette, 3/9/12) -
http://www.mvgazette.com/article.php?34296

·         North Beach cottage demolitions begin (Cape Cod Times, 3/8/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120308/NEWS/203080316/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Red tide shows up ahead of schedule (Cape Cod Times, 3/8/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120308/NEWS/203080318/-1/NEWSLETTER100

·         Red tide cuts shellfishing off Nauset (Boston.com, 3/8/12) -
http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-08/metro/31132693_1_red-tide-shellfishing-nauset-harbor

·         15-year study: When it comes to creating wetlands, Mother Nature is in charge (Science codex, 3/7/12) -
http://www.sciencecodex.com/15year_study_when_it_comes_to_creating_wetlands_mother_nature_is_in_charge-87372

·         Proposed shellfish changes questioned: Local clammers wary of state's plans for Plum Island plant (Daily News of Newburyport, 3/5/12) -
http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x579803790/Proposed-shellfish-changes-questioned

·         Who's afraid of jellyfish? (Gloucester Times, 3/5/12) -
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x606739901/Whos-afraid-of-jellyfish

·         Diamondback terrapin wakes too soon (Cape Cod Times, 3/2/12) -
http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120302/NEWS/203020313/-1/NEWS01

·         It's not just Fukushima: Mass disaster evacuations challenge planners (Scientific American, 3/1/12) -
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=mass-evacuations-in-nuclear-meltdowns



Other Items of Interest

Gulf of Maine Council Award Nominations - The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment is seeking nominations for its annual Visionary, Longard, Susan Snow-Cotter Leadership, Industry, and Sustainable Communities Awards<http://www.gulfofmaine.org/council/opportunities/#awards>. Visionary Awards will be presented to one individual and one organization in each state and province bordering the Gulf. The Longard Award will be presented to an outstanding volunteer within the Gulf watershed. The Susan Snow-Cotter Award will recognize a coastal management professional who exemplifies outstanding leadership or exceptional mentoring in the Gulf of Maine watershed. The Industry Award will go to a business that has shown leadership in efforts to improve the well-being of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. New this year, the Sustainable Communities Award will go to a community or group within a community that exemplifies a sustainable environment and economy. Submit nomination forms by April 30 to info at gulfofmaine.org<mailto:info at gulfofmaine.org>.



Cigarette Litter at Marinas - The BoatU.S. Foundation<http://www.boatus.com/foundation/>, in coordination with Keep America Beautiful, is seeking marinas to participate in a cigarette litter prevention program. Cigarette butts are perennially the most common item found along the world's shorelines at the International Coastal Cleanup. In 2011, the Foundation worked with 117 marinas to tackle cigarette litter. Marinas were provided grants to install cigarette ash receptacles, distribute portable ashtrays, and educate their customers about the importance of properly disposing of cigarette butts. If interested, marinas should fill out this short application<http://www.boatus.com/foundationcigarettesurvey> by April 6.



EPA Smart Growth Awards - EPA is seeking applications for the 2012 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This award recognizes communities that use the principles of smart growth to create better places. For more information, see the EPA website<http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/awards.htm>. Applications are due by April 6.



Nick Winter Memorial Scholarship Fund - The Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and the ASFPM Foundation will grant a $2,000 scholarship for the 2012-2013 academic year to a full-time college junior or senior or graduate student currently enrolled in a field related to floodplain/stormwater management. For details see, the ASFPM website<http://www.asfpmfoundation.org/winters.htm>. Applications are due by April 20.



Marine Art Contest - Massachusetts Marine Educators and Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary are seeking entries from students in grades K-12 for the 2012 Marine Art Contest. Winning entries will be used to publicize sanctuary 20th anniversary events throughout the New England region. The 2012 theme is Amazing Ocean Creatures of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. This year, students participating in the computer graphics division can focus on an alternative theme, 2012: 20th Anniversary of Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. For details, see the contest web page<http://massmarineeducators.org/contests.php>. Entries are due by April 26.



Stellwagen Advisory Council - The Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary<http://stellwagen.noaa.gov/> is seeking applicants for five seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council. To receive an application kit, contact Elizabeth.Stokes at noaa.gov<mailto:Elizabeth.Stokes at noaa.gov>. Applications are due by April 27.



Rachel Carson Contest - EPA is calling for submissions to the sixth annual Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder Contest<http://www.epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/index.htm>. Carson is considered to be the founder of the contemporary environmental movement through her landmark book, Silent Spring. Entries will be accepted in five categories-poetry, essay, dance, photography, and mixed media. Submissions are due by June 1.



Salem Sound Photo Contest - Salem Sound Coastwatch is seeking entries for the Salem Sound - A Sense of Place photo contest<http://www.salemsound.org/photoContest.html>. Entries to this year-long contest should capture the beauty, essence, nature, and uses of the Salem Sound and its watershed communities of Beverly, Danvers, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Marblehead, Peabody, and Salem in each of the four seasons. The contest runs until March 1, 2013.



Coastal Ocean Science Academy - The Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant is accepting applications for the 2012 Coastal Ocean Science Academy<http://www.northeastern.edu/marinescience/visiting_the_msc/outreach/summer.html>, a two-week summer experience that is open to students entering grades 9-12. Participants experience firsthand diverse New England coastal habitats and marine resources, engaging in hands-on research and inquiry activities.







Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Deval L. Patrick, Governor

Timothy P. Murray, Lieutenant Governor

Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs - Richard K. Sullivan Jr., Secretary

Office of Coastal Zone Management - Bruce K. Carlisle, Director

Editor - Robin Lacey<mailto:robin.lacey at state.ma.us?subject=April%202012%20CZ-Mail>

Internet Coordinator - Joe Pelczarski

Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management

251 Causeway Street, Suite 800

Boston, MA 02114-2136

(617) 626-1200

CZM Information Line - (617) 626-1212

CZM Website - www.mass.gov/czm<http://www.mass.gov/czm>

A publication of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management pursuant
to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA10NOS4190183.

This publication is funded (in part) by a grant/cooperative agreement from the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and
do not necessarily reflect the views of NOAA
or any of its sub-agencies.

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