NROC News - February 2014 - Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC)

NROC News – monthly news and updates from NROC, its member agencies and partners.

NROC would like you to know –

The Winter NROC Meeting will be held Thursday, February 13th in Portsmouth, NH. An agenda and briefing packet will be distributed prior to the meeting.
The Northeast Regional Planning Body and NROC announce the launch of www.neoceanplanning.org as the website for products, documents, events and other information related to ocean planning in the Northeast. In addition, ocean planning is now on Twitter @NEOceanPlanning.
NROC is seeking proposals for contractor assistance to support a regional marsh vulnerability and modeling assessment. The selected contractor will conduct research into relevant existing projects and methodologies used for marsh migration, as well as assisting in engaging the modeling and policy making community in developing specific options and recommendations to help achieve a regional outlook for marsh migration in the New England region. Proposals are due March 7^th. See the Request for Proposals for details.
NROC has selected three communities as part of its Coastal Community Resilience Initiative and Community Rating System Grants Program: Dover, NH, Westerly, RI and Milford, CT. Each project will result in transferable products and programs to share with other communities looking to advance participation in the Community Rating System. Dover, NH will focus on public education by developing a flood hazards information pamphlet for distribution to residents in the flood zones. Westerly, RI will also focus on public education through the development of a flood hazard training program for residents. Milford, CT will use a comprehensive assessment of its current Community Rating System activities and pursue additional activities to achieve a higher level of participation in the program.

NROC Partners would like you to know –

January RPB Meeting: The Northeast Regional Planning Body (NE RPB) met on January 22-23 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to review and discuss “A Framework for Ocean Planning in the Northeast US”, which includes goals and objectives for regional ocean planning and specific actions and tasks for achieving those goals. The RPB adopted the goals and objectives and agreed to proceed with specific tasks between now and June to inform future RPB meetings and decisions. The approved framework and summary meeting notes will be available soon.
Gulf of Maine Council Annual Recognition Awards: The Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment is now accepting nominations for its 2014 Awards. As the Council celebrates its 25th Anniversary, it seeks to recognize the value of young people as well as experienced leaders in working together to protect the Gulf of Maine ecosystem. Click here for a description of the various awards, nomination forms, and past award recipients. All nominations must be submitted by March 30, 2014. Via Prassede Vella (MA CZM)
Recent Studies Completed by BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program: BOEM’s Environmental Studies Program gathers and synthesizes environmental, social, and economic science information to support decision-making concerning the offshore renewable energy and oil and gas programs. Now available are the technical summary and final report for The Relative Vulnerability of Migratory Bird Species to Offshore Wind Energy Projects on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf: An Assessment Method and Database. Also available are the technical summary and final report for Determining Nocturnal Locations, Breeding Ground Locations, and Genetic Structure of Long-tailed Ducks Wintering in Nantucket Sound. The Environmental Studies Program Information System (ESPIS) makes all completed ESP reports available on-line as full electronic pdf documents, including images and graphics. Technical summaries of over 1,100 BOEM-sponsored environmental research projects, as well as full pdf documents of over 3,300 research reports, are available for online full text search. ESPIS can be accessed here: http://www.data.boem.gov/homepg/data_center/other/espis/espismaster.asp?appid=1 Via Bob LaBelle (BOEM)