At the Agencies
Coastal managers and planners now have access to a new U.S. Geological Survey handbook that, for the first time, comprehensively describes the various models used to study and predict sea-level rise and its potential impacts on coasts.
Designed for the benefit of land managers, coastal planners, and policy makers in the United States and around the world, the handbook explains many of the contributing factors that account for sea-level change. It also highlights the different data, techniques, and models used by scientists and engineers to document historical trends of sea level and to forecast future rates and the impact to coastal systems and communities.
On August 25, NOAA has awarded more than $675,000 in grants to 13 projects aimed at aiding coastal communities in their fight against marine debris, the agency announced.
The U.S. ocean economy outpaced the domestic economy between 2011 and 2012, with an increase of $22 billion in gross domestic product, from $321 billion to $343 billion, according to a new NOAA analysis.
Adjusting the figures to remove the effects of inflation, this increase equates to a 10.5 percent rate of growth-more than four times as fast as the U.S. economy as a whole. The report is based on 2012 U.S. national economic statistics released in August 2014.
On August 13, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced $42 million in funding to states to promote outdoor recreation and conservation. The funding, distributed to all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia, comes from offshore oil and gas royalties through the
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).
A state-by-state breakdown of the Fiscal Year 2015 apportionment is available
here.
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In the News
For BOEM, making informed decisions based on science relies on the ability to readily discover relevant scientific information and data analyses. Using the latest geospatial science and database technology, BOEM has reinvented the Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS) to streamline the search, discovery and retrieval of more than 40 years of environmental science. We partnered with NOAA's Office for Coastal Management to design and host the new ESPIS, building on the success of another BOEM/NOAA partnership, MarineCadastre.gov.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Coastal Program Grant
Applications Due: Sept. 30, 2015 Eligible Entities: Local governments and individuals FWS announced funding for the Coastal Program, a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance in the form of cooperative agreements to coastal communities and landowners to restore and protect fish and wildlife habitat on public and private lands. Projects should incorporate ecosystem adaptation to help coastal ecosystems and communities prepare for and adapt to the effects of sea-level rise and greenhouse gases. For more information, visit the funding opportunity description.
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In the States and Regions
East Coast
Submerged 250 to 300 feet in the Gulf of Mexico lies a coral reef that could hold the key to crucial information and resources for the Florida Keys reef.
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research cruise is currently operating at Pulley Ridge, 100 miles west of Key West, where scientists are using a remotely operated vehicle to collect videos and samples from the sea floor.
With rising seas threatening coastal communities all across the world, FIU has launched the Sea Level Solutions Center to help people understand, adapt and persevere. FIU ecologist Tiffany Troxler will serve as director.
The center combines expertise in the natural, physical and social sciences, along with architecture, engineering, computer sciences, law, communications, business, health and tourism management to develop long-term strategies in the face of rising seas. FIU's Miami location will be key in advancing the center's mission. South Florida is particularly vulnerable because of the large number of assets exposed to the effects of sea level rise.
Gulf Coast
A state agency that for seven years has been trying to develop a deepwater port off the coast of Plaquemines Parish announced today the first phase of the project is finally moving forward.
The Louisiana International Deepwater Gulf Transfer Terminal Authority, or LIGTT, held a news conference today in New Orleans to announce that a management team known as LIGTT Midstream Holdings will develop a dry bulk terminal three miles off the coast of Plaquemines Parish and 20 miles south of Venice.
Last week, Texas made a major stride toward protecting our coast from the damage caused by storms and flooding.
Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced that the state would begin working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the feasibility of projects to limit flood and storm surge damage.
West Coast and Pacific Islands
Port managers, local seafood processors and Pacific County residents aiming to keep local issues at the forefront of future policy and federal budget discussions met with congressional and senate staff at a round-table discussion at the Port of Ilwaco Aug. 24.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing a $173 million project to minimize damage to Waikiki and surrounding neighborhoods if a "100-year flood" causes the Ala Wai Canal to overflow.
Such a flood - which has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year - would destroy 3,000 properties and cause $318 million in structural damages, according to the Corps' newly released analysis.
Great Lakes
Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, both members of the Great Lakes Task Force, have announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is awarding US$765,605 to fund habitat restoration projects for the Detroit River and Rouge River Areas of Concern (AOC).
The University's Water Center - a unit of the Graham Sustainability Institute - has received a nearly $4 million dollar federal grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) announced Tuesday, August 25.
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Announcements
National Estuaries Week
This year's National Estuaries Week will be held September 19 to 26 and will feature numerous activities including beach cleanups, hikes, kayak trips, coastal education workshops, and more.
Online ExecEd Opportunity in Coastal & Marine Spatial Planning
The Duke Environmental Leadership Program at Duke University is offering an 8-week, online, executive education course in Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP). Course dates are October 12 - December 18, 2015. Weekly web-based conferences will still be held Tuesdays, 5:00-6:30 PM ET.
There is still time to register, and scholarships are available for educators!
OneNOAA Science Seminars, 2015
Title: Keeping Tabs on Harmful Algal Blooms
Date & Time: Thu, September 24, 12pm - 1pm
Title: Inspire Ocean and Climate Literacy and Conservation through MPAs
Date & Time: Thu, October 8, 1pm - 2pm
Title: Large-scale Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration: Completion of the Harris Creek Project, a Milestone under the Chesapeake Bay Agreement
Date & Time: Wed, October 14, 12pm - 1pm
Title: Land Cover Products for Understanding Water Quality Impacts by NOAA's Office for Coastal Management
Date & Time: Tuesday, October 27, 1 pm
Seminars are posted in Eastern Time and subject to changes without notice; please check the web page for the latest seminar updates.
Upcoming Workshops
Blue Carbon: A Management Tool for the Conservation and Restoration of Coastal Wetlands.
Who should attend? Those interested in coastal conservation and restoration, including natural resource managers, land owners, land trusts, municipalities, policy makers, planners, real estate professionals, attorneys and financial advisors, academia, and federal, state and local officials.
Participants will:
* Learn the basics of Blue Carbon and its potential applications to increase the value of coastal wetland conservation and restoration;
* Increase their capacity and understanding to incorporate greenhouse gas functions into resource management; and
* Assess opportunities and constraints for implementing Blue Carbon projects in their region.
ASBPA - Dune Management Challenges on Developed Coasts
The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association is hosting the subject workshop in Kitty Hawk, NC,
Oct 26 - 28, 2015.
Events
September 28 - Oct 1, 2015
October 5 - 9, 2015
October 6, 2015
October 14-16, 2015
**In advance of the meeting, ASBPA is distributing a survey to regional, state, and local coastal managers to
determine perspectives and challenges in coastal sand dune management. Please click here to participate.
October 14 - 15, 2015
October 26 - 28, 2015
November 8 -12, 2015
March 14 -17 , 2016
December 10 -15, 2016
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