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Spring 2013
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The third quarterly newsletter from the
NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup (NH CAW)
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Hello!
This newsletter is intended to keep you informed about resources, projects and events related to planning for climate change impacts in coastal New Hampshire.
Remember, you can keep up-to-date between newsletters by visiting the CAW blog, "The Crow's Nest." CAW is also excited to announce a new webpage on StormSmart Coasts where you can access all past workshop materials. It's called the "NHCAW Past Workshops" page! Thanks, and enjoy this spring edition!
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Portsmouth Community to Discuss Master Plan and Local Sea Level Rise
 | Some areas in Portsmouth are very close to current sea-level.
Photo: Steve Miller. |
May 29, 2013 - 5:30-8:00pm @ Portsmouth Public Library - Levenson Room
Community members are invited to the beginning of a dialogue about potential impacts of sea level rise to buildings, critical infrastructure, and natural resource areas in Portsmouth. The focus of this first discussion will be to describe the results of a study looking at impacts from coastal storms, and sea level rise throughout the City and discuss how the results of the study will be used to inform the Master Plan process.
The City of Portsmouth has gained this new information about local sea-level rise impacts through a study funded by the Gulf of Maine Council through NOAA by contracting with the Rockingham Planning Commission and the University of New Hampshire.
To learn more, send an email to Peter Britz, Portsmouth's Environmental Planner, at plbritz@cityofportsmouth.com or call Peter at 603-610-7215.
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Update: NH Legislation Related to Climate Change
Both houses of the New Hampshire legislature have passed SB 163, "Establishing a Coastal Risk and Hazards Commission." The intent of the commission, which will meet 4 times per year, is to recommend legislation, rules, and other actions to prepare for projected sea level rise and other coastal and coastal watershed hazards such as storms, increased river flooding, and storm water runoff, and the risks such hazards pose to municipalities and state assets in New Hampshire.
The legislation provides for a representative from each of the 17 coastal and tidal New Hampshire towns, appointed by their respective governing bodies, to serve on this commission.
To view the legislation available through the website of the General Court, click here.
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Where is Climate Adaptation in the News?
 Have you ever wondered where adaptation to climate change shows up in the media? Then check out this interactive map of adaptation news stories as they appear around the country. It looks like there's even some recent coverage by our New Hampshire newspapers... Check it out here!
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Second NH Climate Summit Draws almost 100 Volunteers and Professionals
The second NH Climate Summit took place at the Great Bay Discovery Center in Greenland, NH on April 12, 2013. This year's focus was on social science around climate change, from public perceptions to communications and community engagement. The afternoon featured a "municipal panel" with representatives from six towns speaking about adaptation in their community, and the day closed with a discussion about "Connecting for Solutions."
To access presentations from the day, visit the NEW "NHCAW Past Workshops" page at Stormsmart Coasts.
 | The afternoon featured a "municipal panel" of local folks talking about adaptation
projects in their community. Photo: Chris Keeley. |
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Local Adaptation Projects (A Crow's-Eye View!)
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Exeter Hosts Community Conversation about Planning for Climate Change
Project Update: A "Climate Adaptation Plan for Exeter" (CAPE)
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People at the Community Conversation in April talked about impacts to people, infrastructure, and natural resources. Photo: Chris Keeley.
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On April 10, 2013, community members in and around Exeter met at the Exeter High School for an evening of small group discussions. People gathered around maps and identified areas in town impacted by flooding. This information will be used by a team at UNH and the Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to inform the focus of a climate vulnerability assessment.
More recently, volunteers met on May 16, 2013 for the first time to launch the project's "Citizen Working Group" to help guide the project and the resulting adaptation plan.
To learn more you can visit the project website or send an email to the project leader at Paul.Kirshen@unh.edu. This project is funded by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System's "Science Collaborative."
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From Storms to Tides: Preparing for NH's Future Coast
Project Announcement: Rockingham Planning Commission Begins Work on Regional Effort
Rockingham Planning Commission - with support from the NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup - will work closely with NH coastal communities over the next 2 years to evaluate their risk and vulnerability to flooding from sea level rise and storm surge. The project - From Tides to Storms - will identify practical approaches to protect municipal and private assets, public safety and natural resources from future flooding impacts. The project is funded by New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NH HSEM) through a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The project will provide the following technical tools and products to coastal communities:
- Coastal Vulnerability Assessment - A regional-scale vulnerability assessment report and map set for NH coastal communities.
- Town-level Vulnerability Assessment - Summary.A report for each community summarizing the impacts of climate change on land, natural resources and infrastructure based on projections of future of sea level rise and storm surge.
- Maps and Data - Detailed maps, risk and impact analyses, mitigation strategies, and recommendations for municipal Hazard Mitigation Plans.
- Informational Materials - Project information and meeting schedules will be posted on the RPC website shortly.
 The project will benefit our state by assisting coastal communities to:
- Enhance preparedness and raise community awareness of future flood risks.
- Identify cost-effective measures to protect and adapt to changing conditions.
- Improve resiliency of infrastructure, buildings and investments.
- Protect life, property and local economies
- Protect services that natural systems provide
- Preserve unique community character
To learn more, please contact:
Dylan Smith at dsmith@rpc-nh.org or Julie LaBranche at jlabtranche@rpc-nh.org at the
Rockingham Planning Commission, or by phone: 603-778-0885.
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Request for Proposals for Assistance with Green Infrastructure
Project Update: Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Coastal Communities
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Green infrastructure includes a range of regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to stormwater management.
Photo: UNH Stormwater Center.
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Applications are being accepted until 4PM on Friday, May 31 from NH's 42 coastal watershed communities for assistance with green infrastructure to help manage local stormwater and nonpoint source pollution. Two communities will be selected on June 6 for financial and technical assistance with incorporating green infrastructure into plans, policies, projects, and educational programming. Managing stormwater is a key component to climate adaptation!
This opportunity is provided in partnership by the UNH Stormwater Center, Rockingham Planning Commission, and Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve with funding from the NERRS Science Collaborative. A stakeholder advisory board of community leaders around the watershed are actively guiding this project ( learn more). The goal of this 2012-2014 project is to provide municipalities with tools to build more resilient infrastructure and encourage implementation of green infrastructure practices.
To learn more, contact James Houle (james.houle@unh.edu or 767-7091) or Julie LaBranche (jlabranche@rpc-nh.org or 778-0885).
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Now Available: Presentations from CAW Workshop 6, "Floodplain Management"
 | People gathered around an interactive river model brought by NH DES and watched how rivers change course.
Photo: Chris Keeley. |
On April 24, 2013 CAW held a sixth workshop, "Building Resilience through Better Floodplain Management." There were many great topics covered by speakers, including:
- Floodplain Mapping Concepts
- Community Flooding Stories
- Reducing Risks & Legal Challenges
- Local Planning & Regulation
- What Your Community Can Do
NH DES also provided an interactive demonstration (right) of how rivers behave in response to things like dams, buffers, and increases in flow.
The speakers have made their presentations available as PDFs at the NEW "NHCAW Past Workshops" page.
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 This newsletter is brought to you by the NH Coastal Adaptation Workgroup, a collaboration of organizations working to help communities in New Hampshire's Seacoast area prepare for the effects of extreme weather events and other effects of long term climate change. NHCAW provides communities with education, facilitation and technical assistance. Newsletter edited by Chris Keeley (UNH Cooperative Extension/NH Sea Grant/GBNERR). Content contributors: Peter Britz (City of Portsmouth), Julie LaBranche (Rockingham Planning Commission), and Roger Stephenson (Clean Air - Cool Planet). |
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