Coastal Structures Impacts & State Resiliency Initiatives Julia Knisel
Impacts of Coastal Protection Structures in Massachusetts and Initiatives to Improve Shoreline Resiliency
Julia Knisel Coastal Shoreline & Floodplain Manager Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Managemnet Environmental Business Council of New England Energy Environment Economy
Coastal Structures Impacts & State Resiliency Initiatives Julia Knisel Coastal Shoreline & Floodplain Manager
Coastal Hazards Commission (2006-2007)
Coastal Structures Shoreline Region
Length (miles)
North Shore Boston Harbor South Shore
Private
Public
Structure Structure Percent Length Protected Length (miles)
(miles)
160
50
24
46%
57
12
21
58%
129
28
29
44%
615
66
11
13%
154
49
7
36%
1,115
205
92
27%
Cape Cod & Islands South Coastal TOTAL
Shore Parallel Structures • Cut off sediment sources • Continued erosion • Increased erosion • End scour
Shore Parallel Structures • Overtopped by waves, sediment & debris • Costly maintenance • Monitoring & mitigation required for new structures
Shore Perpendicular Structures • Reduce erosion of beach nourishment projects • Trap sediment moving alongshore • Starve downdrift beaches, unless filled to entrapment • Reflect wave energy • Can have rip currents adjacent to them • Maintenance, monitoring & mitigation required
CZM Shoreline Change Project • 1989: produced coast-wide maps with shorelines from mid-1800’s to 1982 • 1997: completed analysis of shoreline change rates every 40 meters alongshore • 2001: added 1994 shoreline & updated rates with assistance from USGS & Woods Hole Sea Grant • 2006: contracted Applied Coastal to delineate 2001 shoreline for South Shore • 2010: USGS derived a 2000 shoreline • 2013: released 2007-2009 shoreline mapped & analyzed by USGS at 50 meters alongshore
Shoreline Sources & Uncertainties • 1844-1897: topographic sheets (~ 38’) • 1909-1938: topographic sheets (~ 38’) • 1943-1969: topographic sheets (~ 22-38’) • 1970-1982: topographic sheets & aerial photos (~ 22’) • 1994: aerial photos (~ 22’) • 2000: LIDAR (~ 4’) • 2001: orthophotos (~ 17’) • 2007-2009: LIDAR & orthophotos (~ 4-20’)
Shoreline Position • Mean high water elevation • High tide line seaward of storm debris wrack line: tonal change between wet & dry beach material, or a seaweed/debris line • Algal line on rocky outcrops: tonal change between wet surfaces that host algae & dry surfaces with no algae • Vegetation change between Spartina patens in upper marsh & Spartina alterniflora in lower marsh, or outer limits of emergent marsh vegetation • Interface between vertical seawalls & water
2007-2009 Shoreline Indicators Region North Shore
LIDAR Mean High Water Line (miles)
High Water Line (miles)
Coastal Structures (miles)
Marsh High Water Line (miles)
106
0
16
48
Greater Boston
28
0
6
18
South Shore
85
0
24
22
Cape Cod Bay
86
0
31
9
Outer Cape Cod
30
53
19
1
Cape Cod South
62
0
2
17
144
0
40
38
Elizabeth Islands
57
0
1
1
Martha’s Vineyard
83
0
4
5
Nantucket
81
0
4
1
State total
762 (68%)
53 (5%)
146 (13%)
160 (14%)
Buzzards Bay
USGS Open-File Report, 2013
Structure Impacts – Seawalls & Revetments
Structure Impacts – Seawalls & Revetments
Deer Island, Boston Harbor
Structure Impacts – Seawalls & Revetments
Beverly
Structure Impacts – Groins Newbury
Structure Impacts – Bulkheads & Groins Mass Maritime Academy, Bourne
Structure Impacts – Jetties Sandwich
Structure Impacts – Breakwaters Winthrop
Natural Buffers Limited • ~ 1,100 shoreline miles mapped & evaluated
Natural Buffers Limited • ~ 1,100 shoreline miles mapped & evaluated • ~ 27 % armored with seawalls, bulkheads & revetments
Natural Buffers Limited • ~ 1,100 shoreline miles mapped & evaluated • ~ 27 % armored with seawalls, bulkheads & revetments • ~ 21 % restricted from shifting landward by coastal structures
Restriction – Seawalls
Restriction – Revetments
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure Priorities Priorities are established under M.G.L. c. 29 §2IIII & subsequent regulations issued under 301 CMR 15.00 • Structures owned or operated by cities/towns, operated by charitable organizations, or owned by a water supply • Structures identified in writing by United States Army Corps of Engineers as requiring imminent improvement Priority shall be given to coastal flood or wave control structures rated in fair, poor or critical condition (C-F) & that have a moderate to high protection level (III-V); or annual maintenance & monitoring reports have indicated a worsening condition or a licensed structural engineer has declared such 25
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure Objectives Public Safety: • Repair structures where failure will likely cause loss of life • Improve emergency response activities & long-term protection of commercial & population centers • Improve protection of tax revenue generating structures & enhance protection of publicly-owned infrastructure during significant coastal storm events • Proposals evaluated on recognition of potential impact(s) of climate change & how successful implementation will improve resilience
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure Objectives Public Health: • Key infrastructure includes emergency preparedness & first-responder equipment & facilities; publicly-owned health facilities; water/wastewater treatment facilities • Improve water quality Environmental Health: • Improve water quality • Improve/promote naturally occurring systems to address hazards of climate change & storm events
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure Project Selection • The more “shovel ready” the better • Final design, permitting & bid package preparation (grants) • Construction costs (loans) • Feasibility studies & conceptual designs NOT eligible
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure 2013 Response Funds Requested
Matching Funds Offered (cash & inkind)
Application Category
Applications Received
Dams & similar unregulated
39
$ 20,135,408
$ 6,507,040
Coastal
23
$ 49,827,811
$ 10,493,643
Levees & similar
1
$ 730,000
$0
Total
63
$ 70,693,219
$ 17,000,683
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure 2013 Response Matching Funds Offered (cash & inkind)
Application Category
Projects Funded
Funds Provided
Dams & similar unregulated
12
$ 5,204,000
$ 4,678,000
Coastal
5
$ 8,296,000
$ 7,598,000
Levees & similar
0
$0
$0
Total
17
$ 13,500,000
$ 12,276,000
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure 2013 Response Applicant
Funds Requested
Leveraged Funds
Award
Oak Bluffs
$ 4,000,000
$0
$ 3,600,000
Hull
$ 3,000,000
$0
$ 2,750,000
$ 14,000
$ 1,150,000
$ 14,000
MarshfieldHewitts South
$ 506,000
$ 29,960
$ 488,000
MarshfieldHewitts North
$ 790,000
$0
$ 760,000
$ 8,296,000
$ 1,179,960
$ 7,598,000
Rockport
Total
Seawall/Revetment Reconstruction – Oak Bluffs
Coastal Community Resilience Grant Program • Provides financial ($1 million) & technical resources to advance new & innovative local efforts to increase awareness of climate impacts, identify vulnerabilities & implement measures to increase community resilience • 19 applications for ~ $2.1 million • Review criteria included current adaptation efforts, climate issues, StormSmart climate adaptation actions & sea level rise scenarios • 10 projects selected for FY14-15: • Evaluations of sea level rise impacts • Plans to relocate, redesign & adapt vulnerable infrastructure & buildings • Restoration of beaches & dunes • Community outreach to raise awareness, gain input & alter behavior
Vulnerability Assessment Example: South Shore Potential Nor’easter Impacts with 5’ Sea Level Rise (2013)
South Shore Coastal Inundation Depth Scenarios
3D Coastal Inundation Depth (with 5’ Sea Level Rise & Nor’easter Storm Surge)
Relocation & Restoration Example – Brewster Parking Area (2011)
Brewster Parking Area Relocation & Restoration
Green Infrastructure for Coastal Resilience Grant Program • Provides financial ($1.3 million) & technical resources to advance the understanding & implementation of natural approaches to mitigating coastal erosion & flooding problems • 13 applications for ~ $2.8 million • Review criteria included potential threats to coastal infrastructure/ natural resources & consideration of sea level rise scenarios • Projects being recommended for FY14-15: • Design & construction of beach & dune nourishment • Cultivation & planting of beach grass • Demonstration of living shoreline technology
Dune Nourishment & Artificial Dune Examples
Dune Nourishment Add compatible sediment & vegetation to eroded dunes
Artificial Dune Construct dune seaward of an eroding coastal bank/bluff with vegetation & sand fencing
Before
Coir Rolls & Vegetation Example • Reflects less wave energy than rocks or sandbags
During
Photos: New England Environmental, Inc.
10 years later
For More Information – mass.gov/czm/stormsmart
Julia Knisel Coastal Shoreline & Floodplain Manager Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Managemnet Environmental Business Council of New England Energy Environment Economy
Coastal Structures Impacts & State Resiliency Initiatives Julia Knisel Coastal Shoreline & Floodplain Manager
Coastal Hazards Commission (2006-2007)
Coastal Structures Shoreline Region
Length (miles)
North Shore Boston Harbor South Shore
Private
Public
Structure Structure Percent Length Protected Length (miles)
(miles)
160
50
24
46%
57
12
21
58%
129
28
29
44%
615
66
11
13%
154
49
7
36%
1,115
205
92
27%
Cape Cod & Islands South Coastal TOTAL
Shore Parallel Structures • Cut off sediment sources • Continued erosion • Increased erosion • End scour
Shore Parallel Structures • Overtopped by waves, sediment & debris • Costly maintenance • Monitoring & mitigation required for new structures
Shore Perpendicular Structures • Reduce erosion of beach nourishment projects • Trap sediment moving alongshore • Starve downdrift beaches, unless filled to entrapment • Reflect wave energy • Can have rip currents adjacent to them • Maintenance, monitoring & mitigation required
CZM Shoreline Change Project • 1989: produced coast-wide maps with shorelines from mid-1800’s to 1982 • 1997: completed analysis of shoreline change rates every 40 meters alongshore • 2001: added 1994 shoreline & updated rates with assistance from USGS & Woods Hole Sea Grant • 2006: contracted Applied Coastal to delineate 2001 shoreline for South Shore • 2010: USGS derived a 2000 shoreline • 2013: released 2007-2009 shoreline mapped & analyzed by USGS at 50 meters alongshore
Shoreline Sources & Uncertainties • 1844-1897: topographic sheets (~ 38’) • 1909-1938: topographic sheets (~ 38’) • 1943-1969: topographic sheets (~ 22-38’) • 1970-1982: topographic sheets & aerial photos (~ 22’) • 1994: aerial photos (~ 22’) • 2000: LIDAR (~ 4’) • 2001: orthophotos (~ 17’) • 2007-2009: LIDAR & orthophotos (~ 4-20’)
Shoreline Position • Mean high water elevation • High tide line seaward of storm debris wrack line: tonal change between wet & dry beach material, or a seaweed/debris line • Algal line on rocky outcrops: tonal change between wet surfaces that host algae & dry surfaces with no algae • Vegetation change between Spartina patens in upper marsh & Spartina alterniflora in lower marsh, or outer limits of emergent marsh vegetation • Interface between vertical seawalls & water
2007-2009 Shoreline Indicators Region North Shore
LIDAR Mean High Water Line (miles)
High Water Line (miles)
Coastal Structures (miles)
Marsh High Water Line (miles)
106
0
16
48
Greater Boston
28
0
6
18
South Shore
85
0
24
22
Cape Cod Bay
86
0
31
9
Outer Cape Cod
30
53
19
1
Cape Cod South
62
0
2
17
144
0
40
38
Elizabeth Islands
57
0
1
1
Martha’s Vineyard
83
0
4
5
Nantucket
81
0
4
1
State total
762 (68%)
53 (5%)
146 (13%)
160 (14%)
Buzzards Bay
USGS Open-File Report, 2013
Structure Impacts – Seawalls & Revetments
Structure Impacts – Seawalls & Revetments
Deer Island, Boston Harbor
Structure Impacts – Seawalls & Revetments
Beverly
Structure Impacts – Groins Newbury
Structure Impacts – Bulkheads & Groins Mass Maritime Academy, Bourne
Structure Impacts – Jetties Sandwich
Structure Impacts – Breakwaters Winthrop
Natural Buffers Limited • ~ 1,100 shoreline miles mapped & evaluated
Natural Buffers Limited • ~ 1,100 shoreline miles mapped & evaluated • ~ 27 % armored with seawalls, bulkheads & revetments
Natural Buffers Limited • ~ 1,100 shoreline miles mapped & evaluated • ~ 27 % armored with seawalls, bulkheads & revetments • ~ 21 % restricted from shifting landward by coastal structures
Restriction – Seawalls
Restriction – Revetments
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure Priorities Priorities are established under M.G.L. c. 29 §2IIII & subsequent regulations issued under 301 CMR 15.00 • Structures owned or operated by cities/towns, operated by charitable organizations, or owned by a water supply • Structures identified in writing by United States Army Corps of Engineers as requiring imminent improvement Priority shall be given to coastal flood or wave control structures rated in fair, poor or critical condition (C-F) & that have a moderate to high protection level (III-V); or annual maintenance & monitoring reports have indicated a worsening condition or a licensed structural engineer has declared such 25
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure Objectives Public Safety: • Repair structures where failure will likely cause loss of life • Improve emergency response activities & long-term protection of commercial & population centers • Improve protection of tax revenue generating structures & enhance protection of publicly-owned infrastructure during significant coastal storm events • Proposals evaluated on recognition of potential impact(s) of climate change & how successful implementation will improve resilience
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure Objectives Public Health: • Key infrastructure includes emergency preparedness & first-responder equipment & facilities; publicly-owned health facilities; water/wastewater treatment facilities • Improve water quality Environmental Health: • Improve water quality • Improve/promote naturally occurring systems to address hazards of climate change & storm events
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure Project Selection • The more “shovel ready” the better • Final design, permitting & bid package preparation (grants) • Construction costs (loans) • Feasibility studies & conceptual designs NOT eligible
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure 2013 Response Funds Requested
Matching Funds Offered (cash & inkind)
Application Category
Applications Received
Dams & similar unregulated
39
$ 20,135,408
$ 6,507,040
Coastal
23
$ 49,827,811
$ 10,493,643
Levees & similar
1
$ 730,000
$0
Total
63
$ 70,693,219
$ 17,000,683
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure 2013 Response Matching Funds Offered (cash & inkind)
Application Category
Projects Funded
Funds Provided
Dams & similar unregulated
12
$ 5,204,000
$ 4,678,000
Coastal
5
$ 8,296,000
$ 7,598,000
Levees & similar
0
$0
$0
Total
17
$ 13,500,000
$ 12,276,000
Dam & Seawall Repair & Removal Fund – Coastal Infrastructure 2013 Response Applicant
Funds Requested
Leveraged Funds
Award
Oak Bluffs
$ 4,000,000
$0
$ 3,600,000
Hull
$ 3,000,000
$0
$ 2,750,000
$ 14,000
$ 1,150,000
$ 14,000
MarshfieldHewitts South
$ 506,000
$ 29,960
$ 488,000
MarshfieldHewitts North
$ 790,000
$0
$ 760,000
$ 8,296,000
$ 1,179,960
$ 7,598,000
Rockport
Total
Seawall/Revetment Reconstruction – Oak Bluffs
Coastal Community Resilience Grant Program • Provides financial ($1 million) & technical resources to advance new & innovative local efforts to increase awareness of climate impacts, identify vulnerabilities & implement measures to increase community resilience • 19 applications for ~ $2.1 million • Review criteria included current adaptation efforts, climate issues, StormSmart climate adaptation actions & sea level rise scenarios • 10 projects selected for FY14-15: • Evaluations of sea level rise impacts • Plans to relocate, redesign & adapt vulnerable infrastructure & buildings • Restoration of beaches & dunes • Community outreach to raise awareness, gain input & alter behavior
Vulnerability Assessment Example: South Shore Potential Nor’easter Impacts with 5’ Sea Level Rise (2013)
South Shore Coastal Inundation Depth Scenarios
3D Coastal Inundation Depth (with 5’ Sea Level Rise & Nor’easter Storm Surge)
Relocation & Restoration Example – Brewster Parking Area (2011)
Brewster Parking Area Relocation & Restoration
Green Infrastructure for Coastal Resilience Grant Program • Provides financial ($1.3 million) & technical resources to advance the understanding & implementation of natural approaches to mitigating coastal erosion & flooding problems • 13 applications for ~ $2.8 million • Review criteria included potential threats to coastal infrastructure/ natural resources & consideration of sea level rise scenarios • Projects being recommended for FY14-15: • Design & construction of beach & dune nourishment • Cultivation & planting of beach grass • Demonstration of living shoreline technology
Dune Nourishment & Artificial Dune Examples
Dune Nourishment Add compatible sediment & vegetation to eroded dunes
Artificial Dune Construct dune seaward of an eroding coastal bank/bluff with vegetation & sand fencing
Before
Coir Rolls & Vegetation Example • Reflects less wave energy than rocks or sandbags
During
Photos: New England Environmental, Inc.
10 years later
For More Information – mass.gov/czm/stormsmart
