ResilientMass Plan Action Tracker

High

Acquisition/Buy-out Program Study

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: MEMA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

MEMA will hire a vendor to study other successful state buyout programs such as NJ, OH and districts in NC as well as Florida's Wind Mitigation Program to understand best practices, gaps and opportunities of improvement. The study will result in a set of recommendations that best suits Massachusetts government structure to help us identify properties and create a program that best supports coastal and riverine cities and towns making it easier for them to obtain funding. Acquisition/Buyout programs are one method of property acquisitions in which private lands are purchased, existing structures demolished, and the land maintained in an undeveloped state for public use in perpetuity. Acquisition of a property in a floodway is intended to reduce the risk of future flooding for the property and/or those adjacent. A voluntary property acquisition/buyout program can enable homeowners to leave high-risk areas. This can be an especially important option for EJ and other priority populations who may not have the financial means to move or to repair/rebuild after floods.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Emergency Service Response Delays and Evacuation Disruptions
Infrastructure: Damage to Inland Buildings
Governance: Reduction in State and Municipal Revenues

High

Address impacts of flooding to infrastructure, natural resources and groundwater through better understanding of climate change drivers

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agencies: EEA DCR-OWR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Address the risk of extreme heat to building occupants

Executive Office: A&F

Lead Agency: DCAMM

Category

Capital planning

Status

In Progress

Completion

Greater than 5 years

High

Advance salt marsh conservation and restoration

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Advance the conservation and restoration of salt marshes, coordinating closely with partners (EEA, DEP, DER) and stakeholders, through the following activities: (1) Facilitation of Land Acquisition for Marsh Migration - CZM will utilize existing tools and data (SLAMM) to prioritize undeveloped areas that are modeled to be suitable for future salt marsh migration and pursue federal funding opportunities to support acquisition of priority parcels; (2) Advance understanding of beneficial reuse of sediments to restore and maintain salt marsh habitat - CZM will convene an expert stakeholder group to explore the science and practice of beneficial reuse of dredged sediments for salt marsh restoration. Opportunities for beneficial reuse that are environmentally sound, economically feasible, and permittable in Massachusetts will be the focus; (3) Implement new grant program to support monitoring and adaptive management of applied salt marsh restoration techniques - CZM will build capacity for salt marsh restoration through a targeted grant program to specifically support monitoring and adaptive management of novel restoration strategies to improve understanding of these techniques, ensure scientific rigor, and improve the ability to evaluate success.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Coastal Wetland Degradation
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

High

Amend the Massachusetts Contingency Plan to require consideration of climate change impacts as reasonably foreseeable site conditions during site cleanup and remedy selection

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

MassDEP is incorporating the evaluation and mitigation of potential climate change vulnerabilities at waste sites into the Massachusetts Contingency Plan, the regulations that govern the assessment and cleanup of oil and hazardous material disposal sites in the Commonwealth. Proposed amendments have been published for comment and finalization of the changes is expected to happen in 2023. The new rule will require consideration of reasonably foreseeable site conditions including potential impacts from climate change in evaluating a site and selecting resilient remedies.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Loss of biodiversity, habitats, and native species due to climate change impacts

High

Aquatic biodiversity conservation: fresh water mussels

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Freshwater mussels provide critical ecosystem services and yet are some of the most threatened animals in the state. Six of the 12 species found in Massachusetts are listed under the state's Endangered Species Act. They are critical to protecting water quality in freshwater systems. Each mussel can filter up to 15 gallons of water per day. As climate change continues to stress freshwater systems through increases in pollutant concentrations and algal blooms, freshwater mussels provide a nature-based solution to protect water quality and reverse freshwater ecosystem degradation. This project will seek to understand how changing environmental conditions are affecting freshwater mussel occupancy and resilience in order to develop effective conservation strategies.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Damage to Cultural Resources
Natural Environment: Loss of biodiversity, habitats, and native species due to climate change impacts

High

Assess vulnerability and preservation potential of coastal cultural resources from sea level rise and erosion

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Coordinate with the MA Historical Commission, MA Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, coastal communities, and federally- and state-recognized MA Tribes to support a vulnerability assessment of cultural resources along the coast including built resources, archaeological sites (pre- and post-contact period), and inundated and exposed coastal landforms. State agency, municipal, and Tribal consultation is critical to increase our understanding of coastal cultural resource types, locations, and their vulnerability to identify opportunities for shoreline restoration and adaptive management responses to preserve these valuable natural resources.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Damage to Cultural Resources
Natural Environment: Coastal Erosion

High

Assessment and management plan for invasive plants

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Invasive species are the biggest threat to ecosystems in the state, after habitat destruction and degradation. Their impacts are getting increasingly worse as a result of climate change. Habitats important for carbon sequestration (forests, salt marshes), clean water, and protection from inland flooding are all threatened by the pervasive and largely uncontrolled impacts from invasive species. Management and eradication of invasive species takes early detection, years of treatments, and continued funding which most agencies don't have due to limitations on staff capacity and budget allocations. Making this a statewide action led by EEA will provide much needed coordination and leadership. Organizations like the Northeast Climate Adaptation Center can provide a lot of guidance with this action.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species

Medium

Climate change adaptation training and guidance

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MassDOT

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Invest in internal and external training, including continuation of the fluvial geomorphology based "Rivers & Roads" training program which provides guidance on bridge and culvert design interaction with emerging fluvial geomorphology practices. Coordinate with resource agencies on this effort, as needed. Update existing guidance documents to ensure proposed bridge and culvert projects are appropriately sized. Conduct internal staff training to ensure compliance with the Massachusetts Stream Crossing Standards.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service

High

Climate Smart Ag Program, sustainable soil management and grant programs

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MDAR

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

MDAR's Climate Smart Ag Program helps farmers transition to sustainable approaches to soil management such as reduced or no-till planting; the Agricultural Soil Health program that funds AFT to provide technical assistance to farmers around soil health through the Coordinated Soil Health Program. The Farm Viability Programs provide farmers with technical assistance, business planning and funding to ensure that the farms remain productive and viable. Climate Smart Ag grants and FSIG grants assist farmers with climate resiliency and drought mitigation projects thus creating sustainable ag production.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Increase in Mental Health Stressors
Natural Environment: Soil Erosion
Governance: Increase in Need for State and Municipal Policy Review and Adaptation Coordination
Economy: Decrease in Agricultural Productivity

High

Coastal erosion adapation project for endangered birds: Restoration of Ram Island Wildlife Sanctuary

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

Not Started

Completion

Greater than 5 years

This project would stabilize and restore Ram Island for the benefit of rare terns and saltmarsh habitat. The island in Buzzard's Bay is a state-owned wildlife sanctuary that supports 20% of the N. American population of the federally endangered Roseate Tern as well as MA's second-largest Common Tern (MA-listed: Special Concern) colonies. Maximum elevation of 3-acre island is <9 feet above Mean Low Water. It is rapidly eroding and threatened by climate change, including sea-level rise. An alternatives analysis to explore approaches to protecting the island was completed in January of 2023. Preferred approaches include saltmarsh creation and restoration, intertidal cobble berms, coastal dune enhancement, and offshore boulderfields. The next steps are completing detailed design and engineering plans ($200K) and permitting ($300K). Construction costs are likely to run at least $6M and additional sources of funding are being explored.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Regional

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Coastal Erosion

Medium

Complete and intergrate DCR's Cultural Resource Inventory

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Complete buildout of Statewide Hydraulic Model

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Create a Statewide River Hydraulic Model, using paper printouts, microfiche, and modern LIDAR. This project will allow for projection of future river elevations for both high and low flows and will aid in estimating the effects of projects on river flooding. Phases 1, 2, and 2a included a feasibility study, tool development pilot in the Squannacook River Basin, and model calibration at additional sites. The last project phase (Phase 3) will complete the statewide model buildout. The model will facilitate future updates to FEMA maps, including providing the ability to project the effects of changing and more intense hydrologic patterns on flooding elevations as well as project the river elevations during droughts.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service
Natural Environment: Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species
Governance: Increase in Costs of Responding to Climate Migration
Economy: Economic Losses from Commercial Structure Damage and Business Interruptions

High

Complete Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment of DCR's Parkways System to support the DCR Parkways Master Plan

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

The Parkways Climate Vulnerability Assessment will provide a critical first step planning-level flood risk information specific for the historic DCR Parkways system by identifying risks from flooding under future climate scenarios, aligning with the 2022 Massachusetts Climate Assessment. This assessment will supplement the 2020 DCR Parkways Master Plan to add long-term considerations in the context of the exposure to extreme weather and climate effects, and adaptive capacity. The assessment will inform DCR's planning efforts to make these parkways resilient to the effects of climate change.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Regional

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service

Medium

Conduct a climate migration assessment

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Based on Massachusetts's lower relative climate risks compared to other parts of the country and world it is likely that the Commonwealth may experience in-migration due to climate change. Conduct an assessment that include the following analysis: (1) Likely sources of in-migration from other areas within the USA and outside of the country; (2) Likely settlement sites within Massachusetts based on housing availability and job centers, as well as support services.; (3) Effects of in-migration on natural environment, utilities, schools, and other community resource needs; (4) Effects of in-migration on affordability of housing, and potential displacement of environmental justice and other priority populations; (5) Effects of in-migration on Massachusetts industries, sectors, and jobs including opportunities to grow economy and bring innovation for growing industries such as climate, technology, and healthcare; and (6) Develop two to three likely climate migration scenarios and the adaptation pathways to prepare for each scenario. Example adaptation pathways would include ways to reduce the risk of sprawl damaging ecological and cultural resources, ways to protect affordable housing and priority populations from displacement, potential locations for new housing, and considering how to establish new workers into existing industries and/or how to prepare the Commonwealth to accommodate innovation and growth of new industries.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

No Values

High

Conduct climate vulnerability assessments

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MBTA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

High

Conduct coastal wetland modeling and restoration assessments for DCR's coastal wetlands to support planning and restoration efforts

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

Assessments documenting and analyzing hydrology, existing conditions, watershed functions, and existing stormwater capacity will be paired with future projections for stormwater and sea level rise. These assessments will help identify mitigation and restoration actions, such as naturalizing the stream, managing?stormwater, and improving hydrology of saltmarshes. In 2023, DCR will begin assessments in Belle Isle Marsh Reservation and Town Line & Linden Brook. DCR's coastal wetlands assessment results will be shared with CZM for consideration and integration into their salt marsh migration land acquisition strategy.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Regional

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Coastal Wetland Degradation

Medium

Conduct Rapid Assessment Survey for marine species

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Continue to identify and to migrate business applications and systems to the cloud

Executive Office: EOTSS

Lead Agency: EOTSS

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Convene a climate resilience stakeholder working group

Executive Offices: EOEEA EOPSS

Lead Agencies: EEA MEMA

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

High

Create a tool for Loss Avoidance Studies and future mitigation projects

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: MEMA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

High

Dam safety planning improvements

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: MEMA

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

MEMA will work with EEA/Dam Safety to strengthen dam response planning at the state level. There are gaps in the process of dam safety planning including establishing regular update cycle. When a dam breaks or is breached it is these plans that MEMA and local officials will turn to in order to understand the safety response, notification procedures, and other response-focused elements. This planning helps protect the infrastructure and populations downstream from dams. This is a stand-alone action as it is for emergency response rather than maintenance plans.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Emergency Service Response Delays and Evacuation Disruptions
Infrastructure: Increased Risk of Dam Overtopping or Failure

High

Develop a coastal resilience strategy

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

Develop a coastal resilience strategy that considers climate-resilient development and standards in vulnerable areas, develops best practices for coastal adaptation, and explores managed retreat.

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Emergency Service Response Delays and Evacuation Disruptions
Infrastructure: Damage to Coastal Buildings and Ports
Natural Environment: Coastal Erosion
Governance: Inability to carry out mission and services due to damage, disruption, or loss of state assets and services.
Economy: Damage, disruption, or loss of coastal infrastructure such as seaports, airports, and maritime industries

High

Develop a framework for statewide resilience progress tracking

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

Through a stakeholder process, identify statewide climate resilience goals and associated metrics that the Commonwealth can use to track progress statewide. These metrics should inform agency and municipal funding strategies and environmental permitting and reviews, including MEPA's.

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Governance: Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services

High

Develop a GIS mapping tool for climate coastal and inland wetlands to identify resource area vulnerability corridors

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Design, develop, and maintain a mapping tool of coastal and inland floodplains and other wetland resource areas that identifies current and future 'climate vulnerability corridors'. The mapping tool will include data layers for risks (such as storm damage, sea levels affecting marshes, and others), land use (such as infrastructure), and cadaster information (such as ownership, EJ populations, wetlands restrictions, and conservation easements). The mapping tool will help identify opportunities and prioritize resilience efforts at a regional /watershed scale'moving beyond a project-by-project approach. The tool's GIS and modeling components will be integrated into relevant state mapping platforms and may require a field component for development and periodic updates. MassDEP will coordinate with CZM and DCR to ensure the tool meets the overall needs of the collective agencies.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation

High

Develop a local option "Stretch Flood Code" for residential and/or non-residential construction

Executive Office: EOED

Lead Agency: EOED

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

Medium

Develop a statewide database and dashboard of water resources data

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Develop an Invasive Species Emergency Response Plan for invasive pest species, including federally regulated species, that pose a significant risk to forest resources by 2025

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

High

Develop and implement a new Heat Flag System

Executive Office: EOHHS

Lead Agency: HHS

Category

Outreach and education

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

Medium

Develop and implement recommendations to increase community access and equity for grants targeting coastal water quality, habitat, and resilience

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Undertake an equity analysis of grant funded projects to date through the Coastal Pollutant Remediation, Coastal Habitat and Water Quality, and Coastal Resilience grant programs. The analysis will include a review of previously funded projects, participating municipalities, stakeholders, and regions in addition to an assessment of potential barriers to funding. The analysis will inform the development of recommendations to increase equity and access to grant funding that will be implemented in future funding rounds of the CHWQ and Coastal Resilience grant programs, which will help build capacity to improve and protect water quality, habitat, and resilience in underserved communities.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Coastal Buildings and Ports
Natural Environment: Marine Ecosystem Degradation
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

Medium

Develop best practices for the redesign of seawalls and revetments

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Building and infrastructure projects

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Coastal structures like seawalls and revetments exist to protect buildings and infrastructure along the coast. Over 1,300 publicly-owned coastal structures need to be repaired or reconstructed. Beaches, coastal banks, and other coastal landforms associated with these structures have also eroded. CZM will convene an interdisciplinary work group with expertise in coastal engineering, geology, ecology/nature-based approaches, and planning to: (1) review design plans for coastal structures at risk of failure and those recently repaired or reconstructed, and (2) recommend best practices for redesign of critical coastal structures and those with the potential for improvement of landform function. Structure height with respect to sea level rise and storm surge projections will be a focus of the review and recommendations. There will be opportunities for engagement with coastal communities.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Coastal Buildings and Ports
Economy: Damage, disruption, or loss of coastal infrastructure such as seaports, airports, and maritime industries

High

Develop culvert replacement project pipeline to advance high priority ecologically sensitive restoration projects

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DER

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Advance strategies to help communities and partnering agencies identify and prioritize ecologically sensitive culvert replacement projects. This effort provides early phase planning services to prepare high value ecological projects for future implementation assistance. DER will build on criteria developed to score projects for its Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Program with a particular focus on high value ecological projects and municipalities/regions that have historically had less culvert projects in partnership with DER. DER will work with landowners of potential sites which may include private landowners, municipalities and land-holding agencies such as DCR, MassWildlifeand MassDOT.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service
Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation
Governance: Damage to Inland State and Municipal Buildings and Land

Medium

Develop guidance on flow path analyses and impacts of channelized flow to buildings

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Develop outreach materials for climate change and health

Executive Office: EOHHS

Lead Agency: DPH

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Leverage existing educational content, data tools, and resources to develop new web-based and public-facing outreach materials focused on prevention of climate-related health impacts in high-risk populations. Topics to include extreme heat and poor air quality, extreme storms and power outages, tick- and mosquito-borne diseases, worker health and safety, and the presence of harmful bacteria and algae in recreational waterbodies. If sufficient funding becomes available, this Action will include convening a DPH Stakeholder Advisory Group that supports representatives from community-based organizations in Environmental Justice areas to evaluate and provide feedback on DPH outreach materials and messaging about climate and health. This Action will include equitable community engagement activities that centers the lived experience of community members and elevates the knowledge and expertise of community-based organizations in Environmental Justice communities in the development and dissemination of culturally and linguistically appropriate DPH outreach materials and messaging about climate and health.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Health and Cognitive Effects from Extreme Heat

High

Develop regulations to create a Clean Heat Standard for heating fuels

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

The 2025/2030 Massachusetts Clean Energy and Climate Plan (CECP) tasks MassDEP with developing a Clean Heat Standard. MassDEP will initiate a stakeholder process with a goal of finalizing regulations in 2023 and implementing the requirements as early as 2024. The Commission on Clean Heat endorsed the creation of a Clean Heat Standard in its final report (https://www.mass.gov/info-details/commission-on-clean-heat-issues-final-report). The standard will incentivize electrification of the building sector, which will reduce GHG emissions and improve comfort of residents during extreme heat. It will reduce risk of fossil fuel/oil spills by reducing transport and delivery accidents. Reducing GHG emissions from the building sector supports resilience.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Health and Cognitive Effects from Extreme Heat

Medium

Develop the foundation for a Resilience Improvement Plan

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MassDOT

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

High

Develop updated wetlands restoration guidance and regulations to improve climate resilience

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Develop updated inland and coastal wetlands protection and restoration guidance and/or regulations that improve climate resilience at project, local, and regional /watershed scales. Establish permitting pathways, policies, or guidance to encourage (1) protection / restoration of coastal wetland resource areas including education on new coastal floodplain standards, removal of tidal flow restrictions to restore full extent of salt marshes, restoration of salt marsh ecosystem functionality, migration of salt marshes, dunes, and other coastal resource areas, and address other related challenges; and (2) protection and restoration of inland floodplains, including better alignment with FEMA requirements, consideration of future precipitation data for stormwater and floodplain boundaries, and other strategies. MassDEP will coordinate with CZM and DCR in this effort.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Coastal Wetland Degradation

High

Divert solid waste by increasing local capacity and infrastructure to reduce emissions and vulnerability and promote increase resilience

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Funding and financing

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Solid waste disposal capacity is becoming increasingly limited in Massachusetts and throughout the Northeast US. As a result, more than 1/3 of Massachusetts' trash' about 2 million tons per year'is sent to landfills in other states for disposal. This waste is moved primarily by rail; even a brief rail outage could cause severe disruptions to solid waste collection and disposal. MassDEP would support the development of local infrastructure that advances the Commonwealth's Solid Waste Master Plan waste reduction goals, including: (1) increasing composting and anaerobic digestion facilities; (2) installing more in-state outlets for construction waste materials; (3) developing small-scale publicly-owned materials recovery facilities; (4) improving systems to better sort recyclables and organics from mixed wastes; and (5) encouraging facilities to collect and divert household hazardous wastes from the solid waste stream. MEMA is currently updating the Disaster Debris Plan

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Rails and Loss of Rail/Transit Service
Governance: Reduction in State and Municipal Revenues
Economy: Economic Losses from Commercial Structure Damage and Business Interruptions

High

Division restructuring and expansion

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DER

Category

Capital planning

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Umplement a division restructuring and expansion plan with the following goals: expand and improve DER's ecological restoration work; strengthen DER's internal capacity; expand external capacity; and learn and share knowledge about restoration outcomes and best practices. The expansion plan includes specific actions related to hazard mitigation and climate adaptation including: promoting ecological restoration as an integral part of the Commonwealth's climate adaptation programsl participating in emerging policy, program, and funding initiatives on the issue of climate adaptation and hazard mitigation; and improving and documenting our understanding of how restoration practices relate to climate adaptation benefits. Completing the DER restructuring and expansion plan will result in an increased capacity to directly implement aquatic ecosystem restoration projects and to increase the capacity of municipalities, regional organizations, and sister agencies to plan and implement these types of projects. Restoration projects (e.g., dam removals, culvert replacements, riparian and flood zone restoration, tidal restoration, and cranberry bog restoration) increase the resilience and ecosystem health of freshwater and coastal rivers and wetlands, and reduce risks to people, buildings, and transportation infrastructure.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Damage to Inland Buildings
Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation
Governance: Increase in Need for State and Municipal Policy Review and Adaptation Coordination

High

Enhance and make more robust and comprehensive hydrologic monitoring networks

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Enhance environmental monitoring cabibilities for HAB's and shellfish borne illness

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DMF

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Improve monitoring capabilities for HAB's and shellfish-borne diseases.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Reduction in Food Safety and Security
Natural Environment: Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

Medium

Enhance resiliency screening in project development

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MassDOT

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Enhance the Continuous Forest Inventory program by integrating collection and analysis of forest soils data, as well as increase the application of CFI data to promote data-driven, adaptive, and strategic forest planning

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

Greater than 5 years

In the next five years, expand and increase funding of the Continuous Forest Inventory (CFI) program to include sampling forest soils for physical and chemical properties to better understand the effects of climate change and forest management strategies on soil properties, health, and carbon dynamics. The new soil data collected by DCR's CFI program will also inform the implementation of the Commonwealth's Healthy Soils Action Plan and Resilient Lands Initiative. The CFI program is a strategic, systematic sample of forests under DCR's stewardship. The program started in the late 1950s and provides over 6 decades of data, including information on the status and trends of DCR's forest land and enables projections of future scenarios to evaluate tradeoffs. It also provides data on resiliency and adaptive capacity; forest health; and growth, yield, and mortality of attributes including carbon. CFI data play a critical role in understanding the resiliency of our forests to stressors and disturbances at a broad scale; and will be used in/with a variety of decision support tools to prioritize strategic action to reduce vulnerabilities.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Forest Health Degradation

Medium

Enhance the mobility of the state workforce through the continued deployment (and refresh) of devices to implement COOP plans impacted by climate

Executive Office: EOTSS

Lead Agency: EOTSS

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Ensure electric sector modernization plans consider climate impacts

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DPU

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Ensure resilient current and future water supplies

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

High

Expand DCR's Greening the Gateway Cities program into four Environmental Justice communities to mitigate heat island effects as well as combat adverse effects of climate change, reduce energy costs, absorb and filter pollutants, and decrease water runoff

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

The Greening the Gateways Cities Program is currently in 23 out of the 26 Gateway cities. Within the next five years, the program will expand into additional cities that are Environmental Justice communities with low urban canopy cover. In total, the program's ten tree planting teams will be planting 400 trees per year, with an overarching goal to plant at least 4,000 trees per year in Environmental Justice neighborhoods within the Gateway Cities.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Health Effects from Degraded Air Quality
Infrastructure: Loss of Urban Tree Cover

High

Expand evaluation of climate resilience for state capital investments

Executive Office: A&F

Lead Agency: A&F

Category

Capital planning

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

High

Expand MassGIS capabilities to map land for wind farms or space for other transformative climate adaptation infrastructure

Executive Office: EOTSS

Lead Agency: EOTSS

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

High

Explore the feasibility of creating a competitive State and Local IT Climate Resilience and/or Awareness Program

Executive Office: EOTSS

Lead Agency: EOTSS

Category

Outreach and education

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

High

Farm Climate Resiliency Program

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MDAR

Category

Funding and financing

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Program grants will provide free "climate audits" for agricultural operations that will assess the risks to their operations from climate change and recommend practices to reduce those risks. Practices may range from opportunities in energy efficiency and resource conservation to climate friendly practices addressing crop management, soil management, pest and disease management, water conservation, and wildlife habitat. Phase 2 grants will provide free business planning to address how the identified opportunities can realistically be implemented. Phase 3 grants will provide funding to implement items recommended via the business planning covering costs of adoption and implementation. The grants will continue to invest and protect state assets (APRs) as well as the broader agricultural system (other farms). These funds can be leveraged with federal dollars providing a strong incentive for farmers to utilize the program. While there are existing and emerging Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) to address climate change, a major barrier to implementation is the cost associated risk to farmers. Such practices often involve use of additional equipment, letting less productive land go fallow, and come with legitimate fears of risk of reduction in crop production. Another major barrier is the time it takes for farmers to learn and understand the practices, assess how they may be incorporated into their operation, and then figuring out how to implement it.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Loss of biodiversity, habitats, and native species due to climate change impacts
Economy: Reduction in the Availability of Affordably Priced Housing

High

Farmland prioritization tool

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MDAR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Develop and maintain a farmland prioritization tool similar to BioMap. Agriculture is the only natural resource in the Commonwealth that does not have a prioritization tool. The Farmland Action Plan recommends development of such a tool. MDAR will consult with agricultural and natural resource experts, review existing prioritization tools and develop, maintain, and dissmeniate a tool for prioritizing agricultural land for protection. It will incorporate climate risk and resiliency considerations and compliment prioritization schemes of other natural resources. The tool will be scaled at state, county, and municipal level for use by a broad range of partners and compatibility and consistency with goals at various scales. Once completed the tool can be adopted by MDAR and other entities such as municipalities, non-profits and land trusts into their planning efforts around farmland protection. Farmland protection enhances our food security by protecting valuable soils from development. Farmland provides critical green infrastructure, sequestering carbon through conservation practices and regenerative agriculture practices which include cover crops, crop rotations, reduced tillage, various livestock grazing strategies, and more.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Loss of biodiversity, habitats, and native species due to climate change impacts
Economy: Decrease in Agricultural Productivity

High

Finalize development of?prioritization decision-making methodology to repair or remove dams to implement FEMA's High Hazard Potential Dam Program

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Formalize MEPA resiliency policy to ensure consideration of climate change during MEPA reviews

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

High

Grant opportunities for food/agriculture sectors to improve energy efficiency, adopt renewable energy and reduce GHG emissions (CERP)

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Funding and financing

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Increase access to reliable energy for food-producing and food-distribution entities through the Clean Energy Results Program's Gap Energy Grant. The grant supports installation of reliable energy-efficient equipment and access to renewable energy generation project benefits. DEP can work with its sister agencies MDAR and MassWildlifeto reach more food producing entities so that they can incorporate energy efficient and clean energy conservation measures into their businesses. The existing program includes criteria encompassing energy resilience and climate resilience and adaptation efforts.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Reduction in Food Safety and Security

High

Grants for private Agricultural Preservation Restrictions

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MDAR

Category

Funding and financing

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

This program will build on the existing Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program as reccommended in the Farmland Action plan. The expanded program could support inclusion of riparian buffers on farms, affordable dwellings for farmers, and climate friendly best practices. These grants will be designed to support resilience-focused APR projects that the existing APR program does not cover, while maintaining consistency with and complementing the APR program. The APR program is not legislatively authorized to fund private entity acquisition of APRs. Establish a grant program for acquisition and stewardship of APRs by private entities. This will aid in significantly increasing the pace of farmland conservation and the associated public benefits and protections of food security and agricultural production, water supply, soil erosion, freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity and habitat, avoidance of damages to tourist attractions. An increase in the number of APRs will increase capacity of the agricultural system to withstand the effects of climate change.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Reduction in Food Safety and Security
Infrastructure: Reduction in Clean Water Supply
Natural Environment: Soil Erosion
Economy: Damage to Tourist Attractions and Recreation Amenities

High

Great Marsh ecosystem recovery project

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Host DPH internal Climate Equity Working Group

Executive Office: EOHHS

Lead Agency: DPH

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Convene internal agency working group tasked with assessing disproportionate impacts of climate change on program-specific assets and functions and developing an agency-wide rubric to guide pilot assessments and intervention projects that address inequities and promote climate justice in vulnerable populations served by DPH. Climate hazards and risks to be assessed include extreme temperatures, extreme weather (e.g., hurricanes), and inland and coastal flooding. Action may address food safety and security, chronic disease, and increase in vector-borne disease, depending on which offices, bureaus, and programs engage in climate resilience activities through the DPH working group.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures

Medium

Identification of rockfall hazards

Executive Office: EOE

Lead Agency: MA Geological Survey

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

High

Identify and prioritize tidal restoration projects using the DER tidal crossing geodatabase

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DER

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

In 2020, DER developed a coast-wide geodatabase containing data on tidal crossings in Massachusetts. Through GIS analysis and field assessments DER will use the tidal crossing geodatabase to identify and prioritize new salt marsh restoration projects that consider multiple criteria including climate resilience, marsh migration potential, and future impacts of sea level rise.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Damage to Coastal Buildings and Ports
Natural Environment: Coastal Wetland Degradation
Governance: Damage to Coastal State and Municipal Buildings and Land

High

Identify causes of low streamflows (therefore decrease water availability) during a drought

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Identify opportunities to improve cooling standards in buildings to address extreme heat impacts

Executive Office: EOHHS

Lead Agency: DPH

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

High

Implement climate resilience measures for the New Charles River and Amelia Earhart dams

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Building and infrastructure projects

Status

In Progress

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Design and construct flood resilience projects at Amelia Earhart Dam and associated lands, including Draw Seven Park. Complete Long-term Resiliency Study led by USACE for New Charles River Dam (anticipated completion: 2025).

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Regional

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Increased Risk of Dam Overtopping or Failure

High

Implement resiliency strategy at state-aided public housing

Executive Office: EOHLC

Lead Agency: EOHLC

Category

Capital planning

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Implement Water Management Act regulatory updates (including water restrictions during droughts)

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

In Development

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Implement newly promulgated Water Management Act regulations for addressing water restrictions by issuing registrations with new water conservation conditions for registered withdrawers during declared droughts (conservation). When a drought is declared by the Secretary, affected registrants will be required to implement conservation measures. MassDEP will provide technical assistance to registrants and oversee and ensure compliance. Approximately 800 registrations must be renewed by April 2023 will include conservation requirements for next ten-year term. MassDEP will continue to phase in adding conservation requirements into Water Management Act permits as they are renewed. Conservation requirements began to be added to permits in 2003.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Reduction in Clean Water Supply

High

Implementation of regional conservation plans for turtle SGCN (Species of Greatest Conservation Need)

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Restoring turtle species in Massachusetts is important for improving forest health. Terrestrial turtles are prolific seed dispersers for many plants, including trees, and fungi, because they are long-lived, widespread, and travel between habitats. Their eggs are also an important food source for other species, such as snakes and small mammals. Unfortunately, six of the ten native terrestrial and aquatic species are listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. The factors threatening the persistence of turtles are complex and include disease, illegal collections, and habitat degradation. Climate change is expected to amplify many of the factors already adversely impacting turtles. Furthermore, standardized assessments have not been completed and there is scarce information on which to base status evaluations and effective conservation measures. This action will hire seasonal temporary herpetologists to collect data in the state as well as organize biologists within the region to complete status assessments.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Loss of biodiversity, habitats, and native species due to climate change impacts

High

Improve mapping to enhance resilience and emergency preparedness of agricultural land

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MDAR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Utilize and build off hydrologic data and modeling to design, develop, and maintain a mapping tool of 'climate vulnerability corridors' for agriculture. The model will identify existing and projected coastal and inland river floodplains that intersect with agricultural land. This will enable users to observe existing hotspots for high-probability soil erosion and freshwater ecocsystem degradation as well as predict future areas of concern based on projected changes to precipitation and flooding due to climate change. Once hotspots are identified, further climate planning and mitigation actions can be pursued (planning around projected floodplains and risk of erosion, implementing river bank restoration/buffers etc.). The mapping tool will include not only flooding/inundation, storm damage, sea levels affecting saltwater intrusion, and other risk data layers but also sufficient cadaster data (ownership, APR restrictions, conservation easements, etc.) to identify opportunities and prioritize resilience efforts at a regional/watershed scale (move beyond project-by-project approach). The tool's GIS and modelling components will be integrated into relevant state mapping platforms and may require a field component for development and periodic updates. MDAR GIS team to coordinate with other agencies engaged in similar work.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation
Economy: Decrease in Agricultural Productivity

High

Incorporate climate resilience criteria into capital grants for tourism assets

Executive Office: EOED

Lead Agency: MOTT

Category

Capital planning

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Incorporate climate resilience criteria into Seaport Economic Council (SEC) capital grants

Executive Office: EOED

Lead Agency: EOED

Category

Funding and financing

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Incorporate climate resilience into the Commonwealth's sustainable development principles

Executive Office: EOED

Lead Agency: CPRO

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Incorporate earthquake risk assessments into project planning

Executive Office: A&F

Lead Agency: DCAMM

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Incorporate hazard and climate change vulnerability into capital planning, master planning, and facilities management functions

Executive Office: A&F

Lead Agency: DCAMM

Category

Capital planning

Status

In Progress

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Medium

Increase access to state resilience funding

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Funding and financing

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Develop a one-stop grant clearinghouse that streamlines climate/environment grant application process for applicants and ensures efficiency in the distribution of funding to local projects. In coordination with MEMA, update and maintain the ResilientMass website (resilient.mass.gov, formerly "Resilient MA Climate Change Clearinghouse for the Commonwealth") based on stakeholder feedback; build out new pages and resources related to example projects, funding sources, metrics, and topic-specific toolkits; and revise and expand data and GIS maps and tools to better serve stakeholders.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Governance: Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services

Medium

Increase energy resilience of critical assets identified in State Energy Security Plan

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DOER

Category

Building and infrastructure projects

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

High

Increase fishing vessel tracking program support

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DMF

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Support research and implementation for vessel tracking for monitoring and assessing shifts in fishing efforts.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Damage to Cultural Resources
Natural Environment: Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

High

Increase funding to support municipal and agency resilience actions and access to funding opportunities

Executive Offices: EOEEA A&F

Lead Agencies: EEA A&F

Category

Funding and financing

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

High

Increase funding, eligibility, and focus on environmental justice to and within municipal and agency resilience action

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Funding and financing

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Increase program support

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DMF

Category

Capital planning

Status

In Development

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Enhance support for existing programs such as BIG / CVA. Provide support to industry through grant opportunities for shore-based seafood processors and dealers for renewable energy and clean energy conservation improvements to their businesses.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Reduction in Food Safety and Security
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

Medium

Increase public outreach and education around forest health impacts and DCR's Forest Health Program

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Outreach and education

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Over the next 5 years, the Forest Health Program will expand its public outreach capabilities, increase the number of citizens reached through direct messaging, and streamline public reports of forest threat issues. To achieve these goals, there is a need to increase GIS support for the Forest Health Program to respond to the increased need for interpretive materials for public education and integrating public reports into field staff digital mapping tools. The Forest Health Program monitors and manages forests within DCR's state forests, parks, and reservations for forest health issues, including non-native pathogens and insects. Early detection and swift mitigation action of forest disturbance events, including invasives pests, pathogens, and invasive plants is the best way to limit a shift in range of invasive species and prevent them from becoming established in the landscape to the detriment of native species. For instance, this program's identification of Beech Leaf Disease and early detection efforts and swift treatment of Southern Pine Beetle earlier in 2023 successfully prevented invasive species from expanding into the state.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Forest Health Degradation

High

Increase regional capacity building to help communities plan and implement climate-resilient ecological restoration projects

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DER

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Increase DER's regional capacity building efforts by partnering with 3-5 new regional partners through the Regional Restoration Partnerships Program. The new regional partners will receive technical and funding assistance from DER to plan, design, and implement aquatic ecosystem restoration projects that increase climate resilience for human and natural communities.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Damage to Inland Buildings
Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation
Governance: Increase in Need for State and Municipal Policy Review and Adaptation Coordination

Medium

Increase training and workforce diversificaiton

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DMF

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Progress

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Support training and workforce diversification programs for fishers and farmers.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Reduction in Food Safety and Security
Natural Environment: Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

High

Increase water use efficiency through technical and financial assistance at the local level

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Provide technical and financial assistance to cities and towns to develop better water conservation plans and drought management plans that meet state guidelines provided by EEA, establish water rate structures that promote conservation and efficiency, conduct statewide water/sewer rate surveys, enhance local capacity to perform system wide water audits; address and minimize outdoor water use; invest in enhanced education and outreach to the public and water suppliers and in particular to EJ communities and under-resourced communitites on water efficiency and water conservation.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Reduction in Clean Water Supply

Medium

Integrate adaptation goals in clean energy projects

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DOER

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

High

Integrate climate change and decarbonization considerations into oil spill preparedness and response activities under Massachusetts Oil Spill Prevention & Response Act (MOSPRA)

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

MassDEP and its contracted consultant have met with climate experts and other stakeholders to identify and prioritize impacts of climate trends, projections, and policies and programs for oil spill risk, prevention, and response. The final report, anticipated in December 2023, will include findings and recommendations. Recommendations may affect the deployment of resources from funds collected through MOSPRA to the highest risk areas or activities. Recommendations may also include updating geographic response strategies for vulnerable coastal areas and may address response practices and preparation actions that require other modifications as a result of sea-level rise and other climate impacts.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Marine Ecosystem Degradation
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

High

Integrate climate resilience considerations into the FEMA Public Assistance Program

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: MEMA

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Integrate DCR's Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) into DCR's Design Review Process

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

High

Integration of climate change adaptation into EOPSS agencies' programs, policies, and procedures

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: EOPSS

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

EOPSS in coordination with MEMA will work with all EOPSS agencies to establish a process by which agencies can consider climate change to the maximum extent possible. The following approaches could be considered, trainings, strategic planning, and other approaches to effectively integrate climate change and hazard mitigation into EOPSS agencies. A final product will be a how-to guide that can be used across all executive branch agencies to integrate climate change adaptation.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Emergency Service Response Delays and Evacuation Disruptions
Governance: Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services

High

Inventory and categorize shade shelters on DCR sites, and strategically improve shading and cooling structures in parks, prioritizing those located in Environmental Justice communities

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Investments to take advantages of opportunities presented by climate change

Executive Office: EOLWD

Lead Agency: LWD

Category

Outreach and education

Status

Not Started

Completion

Greater than 5 years

This Action will (1) Provide workforce training assistance and funding to help workers gain skills, reskill, and upskill in an evolving workplace and labor market in the pursuit of climate ready goals; (2) Collaborate with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to leverage opportunities to blend and braid state-funded workforce initiatives through EOLWD and MassCEC. Combined funding will augment recruitment, wrap-around support services, and technical and on-the-job training experience to build a talent pipeline for the Commonwealth's clean energy industry; (3) Increase coordination with labor unions to assist in climate-critical training and to retrain workers transitioning from other sectors and/or fossil fuel-based roles; and (4) Increase integration across industry, academia, and workforce programming through the Workforce Skills Cabinet, which has established clean energy among statewide priority industries.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Economy: Economic Losses from Commercial Structure Damage and Business Interruptions

High

Lake level management recommendations to abate cyanobacteria blooms

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

MassWildlifehas been working with partners (e.g., USGS, UMass-Amherst) to model how lake levels and climate change are likely to affect cyanobacteria blooms. However, little on-the-ground data has been collected to drive the models. This action would seek to collect empirical data in lakes throughout the state to validate and populate models. MassWildlifewill coordinate with DCR and DPU when shared goals exist.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Health Effects from Degraded Air Quality
Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation

High

Launch a statewide Climate Communications Campaign

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

High

Launch an Office of Climate Science

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

Medium

LWD Climate Change Impact Risk Assessment

Executive Office: EOLWD

Lead Agency: DLS

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Massachusetts Continuity of Government Plan

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: MEMA

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

MBTADesign Standards Update

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MBTA

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

High

Model future challenges for specific agricultural commodities

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MDAR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Predicting specific climate related challenges to specific agricultural sectors and commodities and linking that with a projected timeline will enable producers and service providers to best navigate and facilitate required shifts in agriculture due to climate change. Having this information will help farmers make informed business decisions and assist service providers in identifying future needs and rolling out programs early enough to allow adoption and implementation in a timely manner that minimizes climate impacts.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Economy: Decrease in Agricultural Productivity

High

Monitoring and restoration of climate refugia aquatic ecosystems

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Climate change refugia are habitats naturally more resilient to climate change as they change at a much slower pace than the habitats around them. They are important as anchors to restoration efforts because individuals will recolonize restored areas from these habitats. This action will collect streamflow and temperature data necessary to evaluate impacts to climate change refugia (e.g., at headwater ponds and streams flowing into coldwater habitats). Three projects have also been identified as important to protect climate refugia, including restoration projects in the Hoosic River, Hamant Brook, and Upper Quashnet River.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Loss of biodiversity, habitats, and native species due to climate change impacts

High

Municipal and other dam removals Year 1: feeding the project pipeline for strong ecological value and climate resilience benefits

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DER

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Complete feasibility studies and develop preliminary designs for up to five high-priority dam removal projects, prioritizing high- and significant-hazard dams. This early-stage work will increase the Commonwealth's ability to support dam removal projects.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Increased Risk of Dam Overtopping or Failure
Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation
Governance: Damage to Coastal State and Municipal Buildings and Land

Medium

Ocean bottom temperature database

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DMF

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Advance the utility of the DMF ocean bottom temperature database in addressing ocean warming.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Damage to Cultural Resources
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

Medium

Preserve vulnerable cultural resources

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Prioritize mobile solar energy systems for emergency response

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Building and infrastructure projects

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Prioritize project proposals within the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program (FSIG) that specifically support climate change mitigation and proposals that seek to address long-term resilience to drought or extreme weather events

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Funding and financing

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Priority dam assessments and dam removals

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

MassWildlifehas identified several projects important for restoring habitats for cool-water and warm-water fisheries. These include the removal of Salmon Brook dam (partially funded) and Riley Grist Dam (Mill River). Although much emphasis is placed on cold-water fishes, the Commonwealth's aquatic biodiversity also includes cool-water and warm-water species. The action will also complete assessments of MassWildlife-owned dams statewide.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species

Medium

Program Administration by States (PAS)

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: MEMA

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Promote best practices when planning for historic and cultural resources

Executive Office: Secretary of State

Lead Agency: MHC

Category

Outreach and education

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Protect 30 percent of land and ocean by 2030 (to align with the global 30x30 goal)

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: EEA

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

High

Provide municipal and local health climate equity training and technical support

Executive Office: EOHHS

Lead Agency: DPH

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Produce a Massachusetts-specific training module for local health officials to increase awareness about the disproportionate health impacts of exposure to climate change hazards, including impacts on mental health and unhoused populations, leveraging DPH's existing relationships with local public health officials and experience and meaningfully engaging communities most vulnerable to climate impacts. The training module will cover a variety of climate hazards, including extreme temperatures, flooding, and mold, and will provide examples of environmental health interventions that local health officials can leverage as part of their work.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Disproportionate impacts on unhoused populations from extreme temperatures or extreme flooding

High

Redesign, configure, and implement a strategic capital planning and capital project delivery

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Capital planning

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Redesign the existing capital planning process and invest in technology to support improved planning and project delivery. This critical redesign will increase transparency and incorporate metrics for decision making including climate impacts.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service
Economy: Damage to Tourist Attractions and Recreation Amenities

Medium

Resilience improvement prioritization

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MassDOT

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Screen and prioritize resilience improvements in vulnerable roadway/bridge assets utilizing information from the MassDOT Resilience Improvement Plan evaluation, CAVA, MaPIT, and similar sources. Coordinate with other agencies and engage stakeholders, as applicable, through the project development process. Ensure transparency to communities on process.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Emergency Service Response Delays and Evacuation Disruptions
Infrastructure: Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service

Low

Resilient design research and planning

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MassDOT

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

High

Resilient siting of new or modified jurisdictional transmission facilities

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DPU

Category

Building and infrastructure projects

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Ensure that new or substantially modified jurisdictional electric transmission facilites are designed, built, and operated for resiliency regarding flooding/sea level rise; severe weather events; and physical/cyber security threats. Refine use of forward-looking approval conditions that require periodic review of updated data and science, potential mitigation measures; required actions/modifications.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Damage to Electric Transmission and Utility Distribution Infrastructure
Economy: Reduced Ability to Work

High

Restoring forest ecosystem health to bolster climate change resiliency

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

MassWildlifewill continue to coordinate forest health projects with sister agencies such as DCR and DEP. However, MassWildlifeprojects may be developed and prioritized with different goals and methods and at different locations in order to meet the agency's mission.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Natural Environment: Forest Health Degradation

High

Restoring water quality and habitat connectivity in coastal streams

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: MassWildlife

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Standardize approach to aggressively leveraging federal resources

Executive Office: A&F

Lead Agency: A&F

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Standardize approach to identifying resiliency needs for state capital planning purposes

Executive Office: A&F

Lead Agency: A&F

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Statewide Emergency Management Training Needs Assessment

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: MEMA

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

To ensure the State's public safety officials are sufficiently trained to handled future emergencies, MEMA will need to understand what trainings are missing and which need enhancing to ensure natural hazards especially those exacerbated by climate change are woven in to curriculum as appropriate. In addition, the assessment will ensure climate migration is a consideration when assessing training needs. Once the Training Needs Assessment above is completed, MEMA will need assistance with course design, development and then additional resources for course delivery. MEMA recently launched the Northeast Emergency Management Training & Education Center (NEMTEC), designed to strengthen regional response to emergencies including those due to natural hazards exacerbated by climate change. This comprehensive training program will provide advanced education and expanded resources to New England's emergency management professionals, who face evolving challenges due to the increasing complexity and frequency of natural disaster and climate change. Extreme storms cause delays in response time, potentially leading to loss of life. Extreme coastal storm surge events and inland flooding could flood evacuation routes, trapping residents, leading to increased loss of life and injuries.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Emergency Service Response Delays and Evacuation Disruptions

Medium

Statewide Floodplain Regulatory and Coordination Framework

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

Develop a statewide floodplain management framework that coordinates state floodplain development processes, as well as state agency collaboration for best floodplain management practices across the Commonwealth that considers climate change data and impacts. Identify best practices for municipalities to adopt to increase resilience standards for residential and/or non-residential construction in their communities. Advance opportunities within the building code to enhance resilience. Develop a Floodplain Management Plan that prioritizes actions that can be taken statewide to address and mitigate floods and their impacts.

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service
Governance: Increase in Need for State and Municipal Policy Review and Adaptation Coordination
Economy: Reduced Ability to Work

Medium

Strengthen DPH capacity to address health impacts of moisture and mold in public buildings

Executive Office: EOHHS

Lead Agency: DPH

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Develop focused outreach materials for operators of public buildings and schools that describe interventions for preventing and safely remediating moisture and mold growth inside the building envelope during extended periods of hot, humid weather, acknowledging the impact of climate change. The culturally and linguistically appropriate materials will be made publicly available on the DPH website and distributed according to a robust dissemination plan, which includes building managers as part of public building inspections and reports produced by the DPH Bureau of Environmental Health, Indoor Air Quality Program and other DPH tools and resources, including the DPH Bureau of Community Health and Prevention's Clearing the Air Toolkit: An Asthma Toolkit for Healthy Schools.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Health Effects from Aeroallergens and Mold

Medium

Study the feasibility of establishing FEMA's Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund program

Executive Office: EOPSS

Lead Agency: MEMA

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Support adaptation of roads in salt marshes

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Support new program to initiate coastwide monitoring of ocean acidification, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Support ocean acidification monitoring efforts

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DMF

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Advance the development of an ocean acidification monitoring network through collaborations with local shellfish departments and shellfish aquaculturists.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Climate mitigation
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Reduction in Food Safety and Security
Natural Environment: Coastal Wetland Degradation
Economy: Decrease in Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture Productivity

High

Transitional Crossings Year 1: Testing standards for evaluation, feasibility and design of culverts and bridges that will experience the impacts of sea level rise in the next 50 to 75 years

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DER

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Apply the draft Phase 1 climate resilience guidance developed for stream crossings in coastal and near-coastal environments, document the site assessment processes, obtain site-specific model data, develop preliminary designs for up to three high-priority 'transitional' culvert sites, and to use these case studies and feedback from a Technical Advisory Committee to finalize technical guidance for stream crossings in transition.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Damage to Coastal Buildings and Ports
Natural Environment: Coastal Wetland Degradation
Governance: Damage to Coastal State and Municipal Buildings and Land

High

Tunnel Flood Mitigation Program

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MBTA

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Medium

Understanding groundwater flow and associated water quality benefits of cranberry bog restoration projects

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DER

Category

Natural systems conservation, restoration, and management

Status

In Progress

Completion

3-5 years

Support hydrologic and geochemical studies to better understand how effective cranberry bog restoration projects are at improving water quality, specifically looking at nitrogen. Restoration of former agricultural cranberry bogs alters groundwater flow and patterns of ground/surface water exchanges, but the nature and extent of altered flow patterns is likely site specific and potential reductions in nitrogen export are not well understood and difficult to characterize in the field. Increased frequency of high intensity rainfall, increased stormwater runoff and pollutants, and prolonged droughts lead to changes in hydrology within restored cranberry bog systems and an increased water quality impact to freshwater ecosystems. Understanding how effectively cranberry bogs "treat" water under various hydrological conditions will help advance scientific understanding of how cranberry bog restoration can mitigate the water quality impacts of climate change.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Regional

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Reduction in Clean Water Supply
Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation

High

Update and produce a landslide inventory for Massachusetts to help identify vulnerable resources and infrastructure

Executive Office: EOE

Lead Agency: MA Geological Survey

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

High

Update Chapter 91 regulations to improve resiliency of public trust tidelands and waterways

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

Develop and promulgate updated Chapter 91 regulations to ensure that potential impacts of sea level rise are considered in the project review and licensing process. Initiate technical development and stakeholder consultation for policy and/or regulatory revisions to address broader climate resilience issues to protect public trust interests in tidelands and waterways, such as implications of sea level rise for ground floor facilities of public accommodation. MassDEP will consider collaborating with other state agencies on resilient codes, floodplain management improvements, and other regulations and policies for a package of building code, zoning, and regulations designed to reduce risks from hazards and climate change.

2018 Action or New?: 2018 - revised

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Damage to Cultural Resources
Infrastructure: Damage to Coastal Buildings and Ports
Natural Environment: Coastal Wetland Degradation
Governance: Increase in Costs of Responding to Climate Migration
Economy: Damage to Tourist Attractions and Recreation Amenities

Medium

Update coastal bank erosion hazard mapping and integrate with the MA Coastal Erosion Viewer

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

Coastal bank erosion and vulnerability are not reflected in existing coastal hazards maps for Massachusetts such as shoreline change maps. CZM will update a pilot 2016 coastal bank erosion hazard mapping product for the Massachusetts coastline. The update will include analysis using 2018 LIDAR data and more recent elevation data, if it becomes available, to look at areas of the coast experiencing high, moderate, and low magnitudes of coastal bank erosion, and have the potential to affect existing and future land uses. This coastal bank erosion hazard mapping product will be integrated into the MA Coastal Erosion Viewer. CZM will conduct outreach on the final product to coastal municipalities and organizations.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Coastwide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Coastal Buildings and Ports
Natural Environment: Coastal Erosion

High

Update DER's Environmental Justice Strategy

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DER

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

Review and improve how DER integrates environmental justice into its grant programs, restoration practices, policies, and other activities, as approximately 60% of DER's restoration-adaptation projects are located in communities with EJ populations. The result of this action will be an updated DER EJ strategy consistent with DFG's and EEA's strategies. The strategy will identify new approaches and best practices and will guide DER in maximizing benefits of restoration-adaptation to underserved and disadvantaged communities statewide.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Loss of life or injury due to high vulnerability dams, hurricanes, wildfires, extreme flooding, or extreme temperatures
Infrastructure: Damage to Roads and Loss of Road Service
Natural Environment: Freshwater Ecosystem Degradation
Governance: Increase in Need for State and Municipal Policy Review and Adaptation Coordination

High

Update Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines and other policies to minimize erosion from work in Wetlands Resource Areas

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DEP

Category

Regulations, codes, and zoning

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Update grant scoring to prioritize underrepresented and threatened resources

Executive Office: Secretary of State

Lead Agency: MHC

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Update school curriculum to include climate science and green workforce development

Executive Office: EOE

Lead Agency: EOE

Category

Outreach and education

Status

Not Started

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Type

Cross-Government Action

Implement a pilot clean energy innovation pathway for high school students focused on helping students get applied learning experience in the clean energy and climate sector. The initial clean energy innovation pathway pilot will provide data to inform growth to additional schools.

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Emergency Service Response Delays and Evacuation Disruptions
Infrastructure: Damage to Inland Buildings
Natural Environment: Shifting Distribution of Native and Invasive Species
Governance: Reduction in State and Municipal Revenues
Economy: Decrease in Agricultural Productivity

High

Update the MBTA's Emergency Response Plans and GIS viewer for real-time storm response

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MBTA

Category

Planning and policy

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

The MBTAwill revise and update its Severe Weather Operations Plan, as well as its Snow + Ice Plan to reflect both the latest climate science and expectations about operating in severe weather. The completion of an updated Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is underway as part of the MBTA's Tunnel Flood Mitigation program. The updated CEMP, which accounts for all climate hazards, will directly inform an update to the Severe Weather Operations plan, as well as the Snow + Ice Plan. The Severe Weather Operations plan that is currently in place requires more robust coordination between different MBTAdepartments, and a verification that the resources that each department says it plans to rely upon, will be available in the event of a major storm. Having a GIS viewer for real-time storm response (a deliverable that is part of the Tunnel Flood Protection Program) will help with this coordination and revision of the plans.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Regional

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Damage to Rails and Loss of Rail/Transit Service

Medium

Update the Shoreline Change Project and erosion hot spots

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: CZM

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

High

Update the State Energy Security Plan

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DOER

Category

Planning and policy

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Utilize consistent climate change data and projections to complete a Division of Water Supply Protection (DWSP)-specific climate vulnerability assessment by 2028

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

In Development

Completion

Greater than 5 years

Utilizing the latest climate data from the 2022 Massachusetts Climate Assessment and the DCR Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, the DCR's Division of Water Supply Protection (DWSP) will initiate a sub-watershed scale assessment adding data for sensitivity and adaptive capacity measurements to match DWSP's specific mission and management goals. This assessment will inform prioritization of capital planning decisions and designs, identify opportunities for resilience and climate adaptation, and identify hazards and constraints at the sub-watershed level. This assessment is the first step to make the Commonwealth's water supply lands climate resilient.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Science-based and Informed Decision-Making
Implement Adaptation Actions for Communities and Ecosystems
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Infrastructure: Reduction in Clean Water Supply

Medium

Utilize TRB's self-assessment tool in project development

Executive Office: MassDOT

Lead Agency: MassDOT

Category

Assessment, research, and mapping

Status

Not Started

Completion

3-5 years

Medium

Utilizing EOTSS videography team to professionalize climate coordination training videos and other digital products

Executive Office: EOTSS

Lead Agency: EOTSS

Category

Outreach and education

Status

Not Started

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Wildfire management infrastructure improvements

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DCR

Category

Building and infrastructure projects

Status

In Development

Completion

3-5 years

Undertake a modernization of wildfire facilities and infrastructure used to support local fire departments with wildfire suppression and wildfire risk mitigation (prescribed fire). Project will include design and construction of a Wildfire Management Operations Facility at Hopkinton State Forest, Wildfire Management Operations Facility at Douglas State Forest, and a comprehensive facility climate resiliency needs assessment. The existing Hopkinton facility was destroyed by snow loads in 2013. The existing Douglas facility is incompatible with the growing need for wildfire support services and lacks basic sanitary facilities. Design of the Hopkinton facility create a standard plan set for Douglas and additional future facility replacements. Climate smart building materials including local engineered hemlock cross laminated timber developed by EEA, UMass, UNH, UMaine and the USFS will be used to demonstrate building with long lived wood products in support of the Clean Energy and Climate Plan.

2018 Action or New?: New

Scale: Statewide

2023 SHMCAP Goals

Collaboration, Communication, and Engagement
Resilient and Equitable Infrastructure, Ecosystems, and Communities

Impacts by Sector

Human Health & Safety: Health Effects from Degraded Air Quality
Infrastructure: Damage or loss to homes and critical facilities in the wildland urban interface
Natural Environment: Forest Health Degradation
Governance: Increase in Demand for State and Municipal Government Services
Economy: Economic Losses from Commercial Structure Damage and Business Interruptions

Medium

Work with electric utilities to assess critical infrastructure for climate vulnerability

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DPU

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

High

Work with utilities to ensure solar and storage proposals address climate risk and vulnerability

Executive Office: EOEEA

Lead Agency: DPU

Category

Technical support and assistance

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years

Medium

Workforce heat exposure outreach

Executive Office: EOLWD

Lead Agency: DLS

Category

Outreach and education

Status

In Progress

Completion

Less than 3 years