The Coastal States Organization represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resource issues. | |
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Spotlight on Coastal Management:
National Estuaries Week Photo Contest
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In celebration of National Estuaries Week, which takes place September 17 to 24, 2022, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management is hosting a photo contest. Send in your best photos from the national estuarine research reserves that display the beauty of the reserves, critters that live there, and the people who work and play there.
Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and will be featured in their social media campaign during National Estuaries Week. Submit your photos under the following categories: Learn, Play, Vistas, Smiles, and Work.
Learn more and submit your photos here.
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Celebrating 50 Years of Ocean and Coastal Conservation | |
2022 is a BIG year for ocean and coastal conservation! Not only is it the 50th anniversary for the CZMA, it is also the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, Marine Mammals Protection Act, and National Marine Sanctuaries Act.
Learn about the CZMA 50th here!
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CZMA at 50 Podcast Series
Join CSO's Executive Director, Derek Brockbank, in a five part podcast series to learn about the basis of the act, why it’s important, how it’s changed, and more.
All five episodes of the series are now available! Listen to all of them here or wherever you get your podcasts! | |
In the States and Regions | |
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California Adopts Offshore Wind Target and Calls for ‘Significant’ Grid Investments
Following Gov. Gavin Newsom’s request to the California Energy Commission (CEC) to shoot for more “ambitious” climate goals, the regulator last week adopted a planning goal to develop 25 GW of offshore wind by 2045. In its latest report, Offshore Wind Energy Development off the California Coast, CEC said that the “preliminary planning goals are designed to be potentially achievable but aspirational and are established at levels that can contribute significantly to achieving California’s climate goals.” The move is the result of requirements set by Assembly Bill 525 (AB 525), which was signed by Newsom in September requiring the CEC to set a target for offshore wind development. Regulators said the state should first aim to develop 2-5 GW of capacity by 2030. The Humboldt Bay wind energy area (WEA) offshore Northern California, and the Morro Bay WEA further south, could support 4.5-8 GW of offshore wind generation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The CEC said it expects the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to hold lease sales for the two WEAs this fall. Read more
Whatcom County Is ‘First Jurisdiction’ To Actively Plan For Coastal Flooding. Here’s How
New storm surge data and a state grant are allowing Whatcom County to study the effects of strong winds and high tides on coastal areas, part of an effort to predict how climate change and sea level rise could endanger waterfront locations. These new measurements also could help Whatcom County officials when it comes time to update its Shoreline Management Program, a document that is used to help protect more than 130 miles of coast, from Chuckanut to Blaine. “We’ve already got places like Sandy Point and Birch Bay that already are getting inundated,” said Chris Elder, senior planner in the Public Works Department. “Whatcom County is actually the first jurisdiction to take this head-on and move into active planning,” Elder told The Bellingham Herald. “We’re pretty cutting-edge here with what we’re trying to do.” Environmental Science Associates of Seattle will conduct the study, which is funded through a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Ecology and approved by the County Council on Aug. 9. Read more
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Virginia Awards $223 Million Contract for Offshore Wind Port Project
The Virginia Port Authority has awarded a $223 million contract to rebuild the Portsmouth Marine Terminal for use an an offshore wind staging port. The contract was awarded to Skanska USA, the U.S.-based unit of the Swedish multinational specializing in construction and development. The project entails the redevelopment of approximately 72 acres of the 287-acre Portsmouth Marine Terminal located in Portsmouth, Virginia, which will improve 1,500 feet of an existing 3,540-foot wharf. The terminal is set to serve as an offshore wind staging port for Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, which is the largest offshore wind project currently planned in the U.S. Construction at the terminal is set to begin in July 2022, with completion is scheduled for 2025. Read more
Bold New Jersey Shore Flood Rules Could Be Blueprint for Entire U.S. Coast
No one paid much attention to paragraph 1C of the executive order New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed on Jan. 27, 2020. Its directive for state environmental officials to “integrate climate change considerations” into regulations seemed vague. The deadline — two years — was remote. But New Jersey officials since have made clear they are contemplating massive restrictions on development in flood-prone areas, including the creation of a restricted zone along the state’s iconic Jersey Shore. The upcoming regulations in one of the most flood-scarred states could set a new national standard for how state officials control development and protect against the intensified flooding that researchers say climate change portends. And now everyone is watching. Read more
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Lake Michigan Levels Could Lead to More Flooding and Erosion In the Future. Here's How Sheboygan Is Preparing For Rising Waters
Sheboygan has spent millions of dollars to prevent a disaster as devastating as the flood of 1998. But with Lake Michigan water levels expected to rise and continue to undergo extreme fluctuations, the City of Sheboygan and a regional research group are preparing additional planning and projects to address a future with more flooding and erosion. These combined efforts include conducting a two-year project to assess flood disaster preparation as well as spending millions more on a shoreline restoration project. Anticipating future fluctuations in lake levels, the Sheboygan Department of Public Works partnered with the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and Foth Infrastructure & Environment to study Sheboygan’s shoreline. The results, presented at a public meeting in July, outline a restoration project along the 7 miles of shoreline in Sheboygan that would cost an estimated $31.5 million to $47 million. Read more
ODNR Awards More Than $400K In Grants to Protect Lake Erie Shores
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has awarded more than $400,000 in coastal management assistance grants to be used to improve and protect Ohio’s Lake Erie shores. The $424,730 in funding will be used for coastal planning and public access said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “We’re excited to see how these projects develop and allow even more people to enjoy the scenic areas northern Ohio has to offer,” Mertz said. “We are proud to partner with organizations that make protecting our coastal shores a top priority.” Five grants were awarded for the fiscal year 2023. Projects range from Lake Erie public access planning to the construction of a walkway for people to enjoy the lakefront views of Lake Erie. Read more
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Federal Relocation of Terrebonne Parish ‘Climate Refugees’ Set to Begin From Vanishing Isle de Jean Charles
Within the next couple of weeks, dozens of so-called ‘climate refugees’ in Terrebonne Parish will begin moving to new homes, 40 miles north of their disappearing homeland. It is the first federally funded community relocation in the country brought on by rising sea levels along Louisiana’s vanishing coast. Tattered homes sit in shambles as the Gulf of Mexico consumes the land. Isle de Jean Charles -- a slender island in Terrebonne parish -- is the ancestral homeland for some Native Americans. And though it’s rapidly disappearing, some refuse to leave. Hurricanes have scarred the island, leaving houses abandoned and damaged in ways never imagined. Isle de Jean Charles once encompassed 22,000 acres of land. Now, longtime residents watch it wash away. Read more
Flood Control Goes Green: How Houston Is Using Nature to Combat Flooding
From floating wetlands to an abandoned golf course-turned-nature preserve, innovative green solutions to reduce flooding are being tested in Houston. On a muggy Monday morning at Exploration Green in Clear Lake, walkers are on trails that meander along natural-looking ponds. Red-winged Blackbirds chirp in the distance and rabbits hide in the tall grasses and reeds. It’s a public greenspace and nature preserve — it’s also a massive flood detention project. Construction on the $43 million project’s fifth and final retention pond is set to wrap up next year. During storms, the five ponds will each be able to hold 100 million gallons of floodwater. Once they’re full, the water will slowly drain into the bayous. Read more
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August 25, 2022
August 30-31, 2022
September 13-16, 2022
September 20-23, 2022
September 27, 2022
September 28, 2022
September 29, 2022
October 4, 2022
October 5, 2022
October 6-7, 2022
October 25-27, 2022
November 17, 2022
December 4-8, 2022
December 12-15, 2022
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FEMA Announces FY22 BRIC and FMA Notice of Funding Opportunities.
FEMA announced the FY22 Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) programs. The funding level for BRIC has increased to $2.3 billion for FY22, with FMA funding increasing to $800 million. BRIC’s non-financial Direct Technical Assistance program will also increase to at least 40 communities (from 20) for the FY22 cycle. The application period opens September 30, 2022 and closes on January 27, 2023. Learn more here.
USCRP Translating Coastal Research Into Application Grants
The U.S. Coastal Research Program is accepting proposals in anticipation of approximately $4,000,000 will be available to move research project findings detailed in The Nearshore Report (https://uscoastalresearch.org/publications) toward application through service delivery that integrates research, its application, and community engagement. The application deadline is August 30, 2022. Learn more here.
NOAA Releases Draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy
The National Marine Fisheries Service has released a draft Equity and Environmental Justice Strategy. The draft Strategy addresses agency policies and plans, research, and outreach. NOAA requests input on identifying underserved communities, eliminating barriers, and integrating equity and environmental justice into operations, programs, and policies. NOAA is accepting feedback on the draft through August 31, 2022. Read the draft here and submit feedback here.
2022 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will be accepting photo submissions through September 5th, 2022 for the Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest. All photographers are welcome, regardless of skill level, and the organization will be accepting photos in four categories: Sanctuary Views, Sanctuary Life, Sanctuary Recreation, and Sanctuaries at Home. The winning photographs will be announced in October to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuary System. Learn more and submit your photos here.
CERF 2023 Biennial Conference Call for Submissions Now Open
The Scientific Program Committee for the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation’s 27th Biennial Conference (CERF 2023) invites proposals for Scientific Sessions and Workshops. "Resilience and Recovery" is the conference theme. The Committee is seeking Scientific Session Proposals, Workshop Proposals, and Design Competition Team Proposals. The deadline for submissions is September 19, 2022. Learn more and submit here.
NOAA releases Restoration Blueprint for Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries released a proposed rule and a revised draft management plan for the Restoration Blueprint—a significant update to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s management plan, boundary, regulations, and marine zones. NOAA will accept public comment on the Restoration Blueprint through October 26, 2022. There will also be multiple advisory council and public information meetings will provide opportunities for engagement and public comment. Learn more here.
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In The States
Oregon Land Conservation and Development Department, Ocean and Coastal Services Division - Coastal Policy Specialist
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management - Offshore Project Review Specialist
California Coastal Commission - Coastal Resiliency Supervisor
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection - Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection - Engineering Specialist
Washington Department of Ecology, Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program - Ocean Planning Assistant
Ohio Department of Natural Resource, Office of Coastal Management - Surveyor
Liberty Consolidated Planning Commission, Georgia - Senior Planner
California Coastal Commission - Multiple Coastal Program Positions
In The Agencies
NOAA Office for Coastal Management - Environmental Scientist
NOAA Office of Habitat Conservation - Marine Habitat Resource Specialist
Lynker supporting NOAA Office for Coastal Management - Coastal Management Specialist
BOEM - Renewable Energy Specialist
FEMA Mitigation Administration - Interdisciplinary Supervisory Physical Scientist/Environmental Engineer
USACE San Francisco District, Water Resources Section - Civil Engineer (Hydraulics)
USACE ORISE Fellow - Analysis of Coastal Wave Impacts on Shoreline Protection Structures
In NGOs, Industry, and Academia
Clean Ocean Action - Debris Free Sea Coordinator
Environmental Defense Fund - Manager, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds
The Nature Conservancy - Hawaii Marine Conservation Director
The Nature Conservancy - Marine Monitoring Technician
The Nature Conservancy - Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds Program Director
New England Aquarium - Director of Ocean Sustainability, Technology and Innovation
National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation - Director of Conservation
Job Boards
Office for Coastal Management State Programs
Sea Grant Careers Page
SEVENSEAS Media
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The views expressed in articles referenced here are those of the authors and do not represent or reflect the views of CSO.
If you have a news item or job posting to include in future CSO Newsletters, please send an email to: rkeylon@coastalstates.org with a subject line: "Newsletter Content". Please include the information to be considered in the body of the email. Please note: CSO reserves final decision regarding published newsletter content and may not use all information submitted.
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Coastal States Organization | 50 F Street. NW, Suite 570, Washington, DC 20001 | 202-508-3860 | cso@coastalstates.org | www.coastalstates.org | | | | | |
