CAC Work Plan

The Marshfield Coastal Advisory Committee voted on 21 Nov 2013 to adopt the below document as its "work plan" for meeting the objectives set out it in its mission statement. The plan consists of a mapping of the objective statements of the mission document on to the four phases of the What Will Adaptation Cost? economic framework for coastal infrastructure developed by Eastern Research Group, Inc. for NOAA in June 2013, along with action statements and an outcomes listing for each objective item.

Work Plan

Overarching Goal

Proactively promote a research-based approach to making local decisions about various sea level rise adaptation strategies that include but not be limited to: flood-proofing, beach nourishment, armoring sea walls, tactical retreat and land acquisition.

Phase I: Understanding Our Baseline (Winter 2013- Winter 2014)

1. Educate citizens (including CAC) on sea level rise predictions, adaptation strategies, impacts to natural resources and the potential costs associated with taking no action. This should include establishing and maintaining a web site, organizing seminars and presentations by outside experts.
Actions:

A. Established website on town’s website http://www.townofmarshfield.org/government-boards-coastadv-homepage.htm

B. Established wiki reference page: http://jlab.mit.edu/coastal/

C. Conducted seawall inspection (8/1/13)

D. Learned from experts on coastal geomorphology and Green Harbor Marsh (8/29/13)

E. Educational Forum (Winter 2014) Where’s Our Beach?: A Public Forum on the Impacts of Sea Level Rise and Climate Change on Marshfield’s Coastal Resources and Villages

Phase II: Assessing Our Options (Spring 2014-Summer 2014)

2. Identify Federal, State and privately funded grant opportunities to study and plan for adaptation to sea level rise.

3. Work with Planning, Conservation and DPW staff on long range planning for the coastal zone in an effort to obtain projections on sea level rise; to determine what areas in the coastal zone will be subject to inundation of flood waters.
Actions:

A. Commented on Town’s draft Master Plan (11/13)

4. Promote communication and collaboration among various Town boards, committees and departments on coastal management issues.
Actions:

A. Attended Waterways Comm. meetings and commented on work plan

B. Established steering comm. comprised of members of CAC, Waterways, and Energy to design educational forum

5. Work with neighboring South Shore communities on regional solutions for coastal infrastructure management.

6. Develop various bench mark indicators to measure sea level rise, coastal storm frequency and intensity.

7. Meet with the Board of Selectmen twice a year to discuss progress made on meeting the committee’s objectives listed above and to solicit feedback on coastal management alternatives and recommendations.

8. Meet with town staff from Planning, Conservation and DPW twice a year to discuss progress made on meeting the committee’s objectives and to coordinate and communicate efforts in managing the Town’s coastal zone.

9. Advise the Capital Budget Committee and Advisory Board on coastal infrastructure management expenditures recommended by the Board of Public Works.

Phase III: Assessing Costs and Benefits of Taking Action (Fall 2014- Winter 2015)

10. Evaluate the costs and benefits of various adaptation measures.

11. Perform a cost benefit analysis that analyzes the cost of new seawalls with revetments vs flood proofing structures.

Phase IV: Making Recommendations (Spring-Summer 2015)

12. Develop policies that will help to minimize the Town’s exposure to coastal storms in an effort to protect public safety, infrastructure, natural resources and private property.

13. Work with State legislators to support new legislation that will: (a) Provide funding sources for coastal infrastructure management and (b) provide flexibility in spending money for repairs/replacements, when needed, such as a revolving fund.