17 research outputs found
Environmental and aesthetic impacts of small docks and piers, workshop report: Developing a science-based decision support tool for small dock management, phase 1: Status of the science
Few issues confronting coastal resource managers are as divisive or difficult to manage as regulating the construction of private recreational docks and piers associated with residential development. State resource managers face a growing population intent on living on or near the coast, coupled with an increasing desire to have immediate access to the water by private docks or piers. (PDF contains 69 pages
Padanaram Harbor Management Plan
The Padanaram Harbor Management Plan was developed over a twoâyear period, from 2017â2019, by a broad spectrum of Dartmouth governmental officials, citizens of the Town, regional and state agency staff, and representatives of nonâgovernmental organizations. There was significant public involvement through open meetings and an online survey. During the entire process, drafts of elements of the Plan were posted on the website of the Planning Board as they became available. The work was supported in consultation with staff of the Urban Harbors Institute from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Funding was provided through a grant from the Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council and a local match
Nantucket Shellfish Management Plan
Nantucketâs shellfish resources are an important part of the Islandâs history, culture, and economy. Nantucket waters support one of the countryâs last wild-caught bay scallop fisheries. Elsewhere along the Atlantic coast, fishing pressure, habitat loss, and disease have severely depleted bay scallop populations. Although Nantucketers continue to make a living harvesting shellfish from the Islandâs waters, many do so with concern for the future of the resources and the habitats that support them. Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) provided technical assistance to the community to develop a Shellfish Management Plan (SMP) that addresses issues of water quality, habitat loss, climate change, shellfish propagation, regulatory concerns, and the sustainability of the commercial and recreational fishery. Of particular value is the outline of future research needed to support management activities. Species addressed include: Bay scallop, Conch, Mussel, Quahog, Oyster, and Soft-Shell Clam
Compatibility Determination: Considerations for Siting Coastal and Ocean Uses (DRAFT)
This draft report is one of several prepared under contract to the Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP) to support the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) in its development of the integrated coastal ocean management plan mandated by the MA Oceans Act of 2008. Among other requirements, the Oceans Act states that the plan shall âidentify appropriate locations and performance standards for activities, uses and facilities allowed under sections 15 and 16 of chapter 132A.â To fulfill this requirement, the EOEEA planning team wanted to utilize compatibility determinations as a tool for considering the appropriate locations for activities, uses and facilities relative to one another. This report was prepared for Massachusetts ocean planning purposes but contains information that may be useful to coastal ocean resource managers in other locations
Nantucket Shellfish Management Plan
Nantucketâs shellfisheries are significant both locally and nationally. Locally, commercial and recreational shellfishing are critical to the Islandâs history, culture, and economy. Nationally, the Islandâs largest commercial shellfishery â the Nantucket bay scallop fishery is one of the last wild-harvest bay scallop fisheries in the country, but there is growing concern over the health of the overall population and the sustainability of the fishery. Given the importance of the shellfisheries on Nantucket and the drastic decline of bay scallop populations elsewhere along the Atlantic coast, there is a compelling interest in ensuring that the Townâs shellfish are managed to sustain both the shellfishing industry and the resources.
This is the first official management plan for commercially and recreationally harvested shellfish in Nantucket waters. The Plan addresses bay scallops, quahogs, oysters, mussels, softâshell clams, and conchs
Planning Framework Options for The Massachusetts Ocean Plan (DRAFT)
The Massachusetts Ocean Partnership (MOP) Planning Frameworks Team, in consultation with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), and based on collective experience and a review of ocean, coastal and resource management programs from the US and other countries, suggests that nine elements are essential components of the framework for the Massachusetts Ocean Plan and its implementation. While management plans and programs generally have these elements in common, there are a range of options for carrying out each program component. These options were presented to structure and inform the development of the Massachusetts Ocean Plan. For the most part, the range of options represents those that were considered to be appropriate under the Commonwealthâs existing legal and administrative structure and responsive to the requirements of the Massachusetts Ocean Act. However, the general concepts these options represent are likely to be transferable to other jurisdictions (especially in the United States) and can inform future ocean management and planning in Massachusetts. Additionally, options or their core elements can be combined to create additional alternatives within one of the nine planning components
Jamison S. Hawkins, Acting Assistant Administrator
DECISION ANALYSIS SERIES The Decision Analysis Series has been established by NOAAâs Coastal Ocean Program (COP) to present documents for coastal resource decision-makers which contain analytical treatments of major issues or topics. To learn more about the COP or Decision Analysis Series, please write
Nantucket Shellfish Management Plan
Nantucketâs shellfish resources are an important part of the Islandâs history, culture, and economy. Nantucket waters support one of the countryâs last wild-caught bay scallop fisheries. Elsewhere along the Atlantic coast, fishing pressure, habitat loss, and disease have severely depleted bay scallop populations. Although Nantucketers continue to make a living harvesting shellfish from the Islandâs waters, many do so with concern for the future of the resources and the habitats that support them. Urban Harbors Institute (UHI) provided technical assistance to the community to develop a Shellfish Management Plan (SMP) that addresses issues of water quality, habitat loss, climate change, shellfish propagation, regulatory concerns, and the sustainability of the commercial and recreational fishery. Of particular value is the outline of future research needed to support management activities. Species addressed include: Bay scallop, Conch, Mussel, Quahog, Oyster, and Soft-Shell Clam