Center for Coastal Studies announces 2013 Chase-Miller Forum, “Shifting Sands”

Friday, November 1, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PCCS Contact:
Cathrine Macort
+1-508-487-3622 x103
+1-508-808-9660
[email protected]

On November 22, 2013 the Center for Coastal Studies will present the 2013 Chase-Miller Forum at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The theme is Shifting Coasts – Planning and Action in a Changing Environment.

This half-day conference will discuss regional planning challenges created by sea level rise and coastal change.

The Keynote Address, “Land-use Planning in the Dynamic Coastal Zone – an Overview of Challenges posed by a Changing Coastal Environment”, will be presented by Chad McGuire, Assistant Professor, Public Policy at UMass, Dartmouth.

Other topics and speakers include:

Assessing Vulnerability and Raising Local Awareness of Risks from Storms, Changing Shorelines and Sea Level Rise in Buzzards Bay (Joe Costa, PhD, Executive Director of the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, MCZM)

Encouraging Construction and Reconstruction of Storm-Resistant Buildings and Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Through Financial Incentives and a Zoning Overlay District in Hull (Anne Herbst, Conservation Agent & Robert Fultz, Director of Planning and Community Development)

Implementation of an Innovative Tool for Cape and Island Towns – Falmouth’s Black Beach-Sippewissett Marsh District of Critical Planning Concern (Jennifer McKay, Conservation Administrator & Elizabeth Gladfelter, Chairman, Conservation Commission).

Economic Incentives for Addressing Coastal Change – the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (Ryan Bennett, Cape Cod Commission Energy & Hazard Mitigation Plan Specialist & Brian Carlson, Provincetown Health and Environmental Affairs Manager)

Mr. McGuire will wrap up the forum with a review of Lessons Learned & Next Steps.

The Chase-Miller Forum is a series of lectures and discussions designed to inform the public on the role of science in public policy as it relates to the marine environment. This forum was made possible by the generous support of Linda B. Miller, PhD, a long-time patron and member of the CCS Board of Directors.

The Forum, which takes place between 9 am and 1:30 pm, Â is free and open to all, but interested parties must pre-register by November 12 at the latest.

For details, please contact Pat Hughes, CCS Director of Marine Policy, at (508) 487-3623 x121 or visit www.coastalstudies.org