Coastal Communities Issues

Climate change, storms, flooding, wind power, the COVID-19 pandemic, public access, infrastructure, and numerous other issues hold potential to impact coastal communities in New England.

As the frequency and severity of coastal storms and other weather events increases, communities are facing increased pressure to confront climate change, sea level rise, and related issues.

Issues surrounding resiliency are challenges for many coastal communities. Reports and images in the news of flooding and weather-related damage are becoming more and more common.

Federal, state, and local governments are all tasked with addressing the effects of weather and climate driven events. Immediate actions are needed after events occur. In addition, governments must consider options for preventing or mitigating climate-related damage.

In recent years public access to coastal areas has declined steadily. Communities are under pressure to protect existing public access and create new facilities when possible.

Skyrocketing property values are complicating many of these issues. As waterfront properties increase in value, conflicts are inevitable.

Rapidly inflating property values can upend traditional patterns for residents and businesses. In some cases, businesses can no longer operate due to high operating costs. Businesses may also be impacted when workers are driven out of coastal communities by excessive housing costs.

Offshore renewable energy installations (OREIs) are another challenge facing coastal New England. An array of existing and planned OREI projects may affect coastal communities in a variety of ways.

Residents have presented a range of opinions concerning OREIs in New England.

Offshore wind proponents cite benefits including sustainable electricity, high quality employment opportunities, better infrastructure, and others.

Critics of offshore wind power projects have concerns about possible negative effects of wind turbines and associated equipment.

Recent Developments

In October 2023, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) identified a Draft Wind Energy Area (WEA) in the Gulf of Maine, opening a 30-day public review and comment period. The Draft WEA covers approximately 3,519,067 acres offshore Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 

In November 2023, the New Bedford Port Authority received $24 million through the Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) for the Leonard’s Wharf Rehabilitation and Extension Project in the Port of New Bedford.

Leonard's Wharf has been identified in offshore wind industry studies and by offshore wind developers as a site that would greatly enhance New Bedford’s ability to stage offshore wind projects, as well as to serve as an operations and maintenance base.

In December 2023, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) completed its environmental review of the proposed Sunrise Wind energy project, which is located approximately 16.4 nautical miles (nm) south of Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., approximately 26.5 nm east of Montauk, N.Y., and 14.5 nm from Block Island, R.I. 

In December 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Program announced the release of its "United States Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide."

In January 2024, the NOAA tide gauge at Bar Harbor, Maine observed its highest water level on record, reaching 4.33 feet above MHHW.

Related Information

New NOAA Facility on Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island

Coastal New England Facts

National Parks of Boston Economic Report 2022

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park | credit: NPS

A new National Park Service (NPS) report offers insights into the economic benefits of the National Parks of Boston.

Approximately 2.5 million visitors to National Parks of Boston in 2022 spent $167.3 million in communities near the park.

That spending supported 2,090 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $255.4 million.

The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by economists at the National Park Service. The report shows $23.9 billion of direct spending by nearly 312 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park.

The report is available at the U.S. National Park Service website (nps.gov).

The National Parks of Boston is a collection of three National Park Service sites – Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park.

For more information on the National Parks of Boston, visit: www.nps.gov/bost, www.nps.gov/boaf, and www.bostonharborislands.org.

source: National Park Service

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Massachusetts

Boston Lighthouse Webcams

NOAA Marine Operations Center - Naval Station Newport Rhode Island

NOAA Ship NANCY FOSTER | credit: NOAA

The Newport Rhode Island waterfront will become the home of another important U.S. government maritime facility.

In December 2023, the U.S. Navy, on behalf of NOAA, awarded $146,778,932 to Skanska USA, from New York, to design and build a new NOAA facility on Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island.

This facility will eventually be the new home of NOAA’s Marine Operations Center - Atlantic. 

While the details of the facility’s design are still being finalized, requirements include having a pier that will accommodate four large vessels, a floating dock for smaller vessels, space for vessel repairs and parking and a building to be used for shoreside support and as a warehouse. Construction is anticipated to be completed by 2027. 

The contract to design and build the new NOAA facility was awarded following a request for proposals that was open from January to August 2023. 

The design and construction of the facility is funded in part by the Inflation Reduction Act. Funding supports community efforts to prepare, adapt and build resilience to weather and climate events.

The act also supports improvements to weather and climate data and services, and NOAA’s fleet of research airplanes and ships. 

“By co-locating with Naval Station Newport, we are able to make our ship operations more efficient and increase long-term cost savings through sharing common capabilities,” said NOAA Corps Rear Admiral Nancy Hann, director of NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations and the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.

NOAA’s fleet of 15 research and survey ships are operated, managed and maintained by NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations. The fleet supports a wide range of marine activities, including fisheries surveys, nautical charting and ocean and climate studies.

Two of NOAA's most important research vessels are based out of Newport, Rhode Island:

NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow is a fisheries survey vessel built specifically for NOAA to support the study and monitoring of marine fisheries and marine mammals. Henry B. Bigelow operates along the northeast and mid-Atlantic coast, from Maine to North Carolina.

NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer is dedicated to exploring the open ocean for the purpose of discovery and the advancement of knowledge about the ocean. Missions of the 224-foot vessel include mapping, site characterization, reconnaissance, advancing technology, education, and outreach.

source: NOAA

Related Information

Rhode Island

Coastal Connecticut Waterfront Experiences

New London Ledge Light | credit USCG

An incredible range of waterfront experiences can be found in Coastal Connecticut.

This article touches on a few of the state's most interesting destinations, including waterfront cities, historic towns, coastal resorts, beaches, seashores, and wild areas.

Connecticut is New England's southernmost state. Located on the western side of Long Island Sound, the coast of Connecticut is famous for its sandy beaches, scenic shorelines, and waterfront towns.

New London, Old Saybrook, New Haven, Bridgeport, Mystic, and other coastal communities are among the hundreds of possible destinations that are suitable for day trips, weekend getaways, and summer vacations.

Most Connecticut coastal towns are located within minutes of I-95, which provides travelers with reasonable access.

For northbound motorists, Greenwich is a good first stop off for food, shopping, and other needs. Nearby, Old Greenwich is known for its seaside views. At Greenwich Point, travelers can explore the park, public beaches, and Bruce Museum Seaside Center.

Norwalk is another coastal town with plenty of things to do. Oyster Shell Park has waterfront pedestrian paths with nautical works of art, harbor views along the Norwalk River, and educational exhibits. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk includes displays of fish, crustaceans, and other marine life.

At Norwalk Beach, a pier provides view of Long Island and access for saltwater fishing. The annual Norwalk Boat Show and Oyster Festivals are popular with locals and tourists.

Not far to the east is Sherwood Island State Park. The 235 acre includes beaches, access for saltwater fishing, picnic areas and a 9/11 memorial.

Near Madison, Hammonasset Beach State Park is a haven for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. As Connecticut's largest shoreline park, it includes over two miles of sandy beaches on Long Island Sound.

Located along the Thames River, New London is one of Connecticut's oldest cities. Its waterfront area offers a variety of attractions and experiences. Ferry service from New London includes routes to Long Island and Block Island. Both ferry trips provide travelers with extensive views of Long Island Sound.

Further Reading

Connecticut Tourism Information

Maine Sea Grant Working Waterfront and Coastal Communities Promotion

Maine Sea Grant recently announced a competition to generate great ideas in support of Maine's working waterfront and coastal communities. Awards are available of up to $15,000.

Buoy Maine will focus on strengthening coastal/marine seafood and tourism related industries, highlighting the Maine Brand and experience, building resiliency, and helping Maine's coastal businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Partnerships are encouraged.

Any business or non-profit connected to the Maine seafood or tourism industries or the heritage of its fishing communities are eligible to apply.

The competition will consist of three phases:

Participants will pitch their ideas via the Buoy Maine Virtual Pitch Competition by September 14, 2020.

Applicants that advance to the Pitch at the Buoy Maine Pitch Competition in October will share their idea in a 5-minute pitch. A judges panel will evaluate pitches, and awardees will receive up to $15,000 to further develop their innovation over the next 6 months. Pitches that receive awards will be made public after the Pitch event.

At the Share at the Buoy Maine Finale, selected awardees will share the product or project at a virtual public celebration, including lessons learned, successes, challenges, and how their ideas may support others. The finale will also be a networking event with investors.

For more information, visit https://seagrant.umaine.edu/funding-opportunities/buoy-maine/

source: Maine Department of Marine Resources

Rhode Island Offshore Renewable Energy Impacts Symposium

17th Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium
April 24, 2020
University of Rhode Island
Narragansett Bay Campus
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
uri.edu/gso

The University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography, Rhode Island Sea Grant, the Coastal Resources Center, and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) Working Group on Marine Benthal Renewable Energy Developments (WGMBRED) are organizing an opportunity to share lessons learned from Europe regarding the interactions of offshore renewable energy with the environment.

ICES WGMBRED is an internationally recognized group of scientists working at the cutting edge of ecosystem-based science associated with offshore and marine renewable energy installation and environmental interactions.

Event presentations and discussions will focus on key issues identified by Rhode Islanders regarding the potential cause-effect relationships resulting from the construction and operation of offshore renewable energy installations and recommendations for minimizing impacts and promoting opportunities for positive biological outcomes.

This event is organized at the request of Rhode Island resource users, communities, and other stakeholders to inform future decisions.

For more information and to register for the symposium, visit:

https://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/special-programs/baird/

For more on URI’s expertise and involvement in the appropriate development of offshore renewable energy, visit:

https://web.uri.edu/offshore-renewable-energy/.

source: Rhode Island Sea Grant

Boston Christmas Tree - A Gift in Rememberance of the Halifax Explosion

The City of Boston's annual holiday display includes the official Christmas tree from Nova Scotia and trees throughout Boston Common.

The 60-year-old white spruce tree is a thank you to Boston for its support following the 1917 Halifax Explosion. Every year, Nova Scotians and Bostonians celebrate the lighting of the Nova Scotia tree gifted to Boston.

Nova Scotia's Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine was among a delegation of Canadians that visited Boston to witness the 2019 tree lighting ceremony on the Boston Common.

"This special tree is for the generosity shown to us after the Halifax Explosion and I am honoured to witness it light up the City of Boston," said Mr. Glavine.

This is the 48th year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917, explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor.

Within 24 hours of the disaster a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel was making its way from Boston to Nova Scotia.

sources: City of Boston, Province of Nova Scotia

Camden Winterfest 2020

The annual Camden Maine Winterfest will be held from January 31 – February 9, 2020.

The multi-day festivities will include snow sculptures and ice carving contests, as well as the U.S. National Toboggan Championships at the Camden Snow Bowl.

A polar plunge and freestyle skiing competitions are also part of the event, not to mention a snow-plow parade, a concert and dance, and a Maine Mardi Gras theme.

The 2020 Winterfest will include outdoor and indoor activities throughout downtown Camden, the Camden Public Library and the Camden Snow Bowl, including ice carving, a polar plunge, CamJam competition, concert, movies and more.

Started in 2013, Camden Maine's Winterfest is a weeklong celebration of winter.

For more information on the Camden Winterfest, visit www.camdenmaineexperience.com.

Iconic New England Local Foods

Lobsters

Ask anyone about life in New England and most likely, the conversation will include local foods. From Maine lobsters to Vermont maple syrup, each state has its own list of iconic local foods.

Maine

Maine is most of all, famous for its lobsters. Maine is the number one producer of wild caught lobsters in the U.S. Maine is also known for its bay scallops, sea scallops, mussels, oysters, fish, and other delicacies.

In addition to its seafood, Maine is known for its wild blueberries which are made into pies, jams, and other foods. Not to be forgotten are Maine potatoes and other cool climate vegetables.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a wealth of foods. Like Maine, Massachusetts is known for its seafood. American lobsters are abundant although not comparable to Maine. A lesser known crustacean, the Jonah crab is caught together with lobsters. From the Atlantic, fishermen harvest Atlantic sea scallops, sea clams, fish, and other foods.

Vermont

Vermont is the nation's number one producer of maple syrup. Vermont is famous for its sugar maples, the source of high quality syrup. In addition maple syrup, Vermont producers offer a variety of local foods including cheese, honey, and others.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire's most valuable agricultural product is maple syrup. New Hampshire farms also produce milk and other products. Along the coast, fishermen land a variety of seafood while aquaculturists produce oysters, clams, and other foods.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island is another state that is known for its abundant seafood. Quahog clams are the state shellfish. Squid is one of the state's most valuable fisheries.

Connecticut

Connecticut is one of several New England states with vinticulture. Connecticut's Wine Trail includes over 40 vineyards and wineries. Connecticut farms also produce beef, poultry, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, honey, and other foods.

UMass Boston Senior Economic Security Research

Massachusetts leads the nation with the highest level of elder economic insecurity for older adults living alone, according to a recent UMass Boston study.

The research suggests that economic insecurity is a problem throughout New England and in much of the U.S. Massachusetts,Vermont Maine, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire were among the 10 states with high rates of economic insecurity.

Seven of the top 10 states in that economic insecurity category, including New York and New Jersey, were located in the Northeast.

Researchers tracking the economic security of America’s older adults have found that half who live alone and nearly a quarter of those living in two-person households where both are age 65 or older are unable to afford basic necessities without extra assistance.

The 2019 Elder Index^TM and a companion report, Insecurity in the States 2019, calculates the elder economic “insecurity rate” both nationally and on a state-by-state basis.

The new index data and report were produced by the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston’s McCormack Graduate School.

The index estimates the cost to adults age 65 and older for basics such as food, housing, health care and transportation in every county in the United States. Researchers match income data with the index results to determine state and national rates of elder economic insecurity.

On average across the country, 18.2 percent of older adults living alone have income below the Federal Poverty Level. Another 32.1 percent live “in the gap,” with income that exceeds the poverty line but falls short of covering their actual cost of living.

Key findings in the Insecurity in the States 2019 report include:

• National averages suggest 50 percent of older adults living alone and 23 percent of elder couples have annual incomes below the Elder Index.


• Nationwide, 32 percent of single elders and 18 percent of elder couples fall into the gap between the Federal Poverty Level and the income required for realistic economic security.


• At least 40 percent of adults age 65 or older in every state are at risk of being unable to afford basic needs and age in their own homes.


• More than half of older adults living below the Elder Index rely on Social Security for at least 90 percent of their incomes.

The elder index calculated a realistic national average annual cost of living of $25,416 for renting elder singles and $36,204 for older couples who rent. The 2019 federal poverty guidelines for the 48 contiguous states are $12,490 per year for singles and $16,910 annually for couples.

Looking to individual states, the percentage of single older adults living below Federal Poverty Level ranged from 12.8 percent in New Hampshire to 25.8 percent in Mississippi.

The percentage of older adults living alone “in the gap” ranged from 41.1 percent in Nevada to 61.1 percent in Massachusetts.

Complete state rankings and other details are available in the Insecurity in the States 2019 report.

The Elder Index is a free online resource available for anyone to look up customized information about the cost of elder living in any county, state or the country. Its redesigned website can be found at a new location, www.elderindex.org.

The Gerontology Institute conducts research and policy analysis in the field of aging, and offers lifelong learning and pension protection services to older adults. The institute’s priorities include income security, long-term service and supports, healthy aging, age-friendly communities and social and demographic research on aging.

Recognized for innovative research, the University of Massachusetts Boston serves 16,000 students while engaging local and global constituents through academic programs, research centers, and public service. To learn more, visit www.umb.edu

Christmas In New England

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse Maine | credit : NPS

Since the colonial period, Christmas has been a special time in New England. This article takes a brief look at Christmas traditions, events, things to do, and trip ideas for Christmas in New England.

Traditions

The region's natural beauty and wealth of resources have played a major role in shaping America's Christmas traditions.

Christmas traditions associated with New England include sleigh rides, ski retreats, Christmas tree farm tours, cranberry sauce, pies, seafood, and others.

Food and Drink

Food is a big part of Christmas in New England. There are usually plenty of main courses such as turkey, ham or even Maine lobster, accompanied by potatoes, winter squash, cranberry sauce, and other traditional foods. For dessert, pies are often served, especially apple, blueberry, and pumpkin. At breakfast, Vermont maple syrup is an essential topping for pancakes or waffles.

Outdoor Activities

During the Christmas season, there is no shortage of outdoor things to do in New England. Enthusiasts can enjoy skiing (downhill and cross-country), snowboarding, sledding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, hiking, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and other cold weather activities. Holiday train excursions are another option for seeing the outdoors.

Along the coast, winter boat excursions offer unique views of waterfronts, historic landmarks, wildlife, and other sites. For birdwatchers, there are numerous Christmas Bird Counts held throughout New England.

Destinations

New England's diversity is part of its attraction. There are so many unique areas that are unlike anything else nearby.

Maine, the largest New England state, offers an array of experiences. There are isolated wild lands, quaint coastal towns, and many other settings.

Nearby, Massachusetts is another state with a range of settings for Christmas. Visitors can enjoy an urban holiday in Boston, celebrate in a coastal town, or explore the western part of the state.

In Vermont and New Hampshire, visitors can enjoy incredible scenery and a quiet atmosphere. Vermont has winter attractions such as the Green Mountains, ski areas, hiking trails, Lake Champlain ice fishing, top notch spas, and more.

In New Hampshire, nature lovers and outdoor adventurers can explore the White Mountains or ski one of the most extensive networks of cross-country ski trails in the East. Located near Mount Liberty in Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume Gorge is one of the state's most popular natural attractions. In Portsmouth, the Festival of Trees includes a spectacular display of lights.

Rhode Island, the smallest New England state, has plenty of things to do during the Christmas season. Christmas In Newport, a month long celebration, includes traditional lighting, mansion tours, and much more. While in Newport, visitors can take a boat tour to see seals, lighthouses, and waterfront views. Rhode Island also has lots of beaches where families can enjoy a winter walk.

In Connecticut, there are plenty of cities and coastal communities to visit. Favorite destinations include Mystic, New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Greenwich, or other towns. Annual winter events include Winterfest Hartford, Holiday Light Fantasia (with more than 1 million lights), and the Gingerbread Festival in South Windsor.

Related Information

Where is New England?

New England Facts

Local Foods