CSO Newsletter
The Coastal States Organization represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resource issues.
Spotlight on Coastal Management:
Community Vision Rejuvenates Chicago Recreation Area
The William W. Powers State Recreation Area, on the southeast side of Chicago, has long been a haven for outdoor recreation and rare habitat, but over the past two decades its deteriorating operations and aesthetics had hindered the experience of visitors. The community aims to bring the area back to its full ecological, cultural, and community potential. The Illinois Coastal Management Program is playing a role in that rejuvenation by providing project management and grant support.

Public access and park facilities are upgraded, much habitat is restored, and invasive species are on the retreat. More than 1,200 community members have weighed in on current and potential improvements. 

Learn more about this effort!
2020 National Coastal and Estuarine Summit
Restore America’s Estuaries and the Coastal States Organization co-host  The National Coastal and Estuarine Summit . We bring together the coastal restoration and management communities for integrated discussions to explore issues, solutions, and lessons learned in their work. The Summit explores cutting-edge issues in coastal restoration and management and highlights the latest research through interactive sessions, plenary speakers, and poster presentations.  Learn more .

Proposals for Oral Presentations are due on April 3rd ! Learn more here .
In the States and Regions
East Coast and Caribbean
Florida Senate Advances Bill to Create Sea Level Rise Projections
The measure (SB 7016), written by the Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee and spearheaded by Chair Tom Lee, creates the Statewide Office of Resiliency and the Statewide Sea-Level Rise Task Force. The state’s Chief Resilience Officer (CRO), currently under the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), would oversee both bodies. The Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection currently sits under DEP, but the new office would report directly to the Governor. The bill does not specify the new office’s role, but states that the task force will create sea-level rise baseline projections with assistance from DEP to be sent to that department’s Environmental Regulation Commission for approval. Read more

New Jersey DEP Seeks Input on New Land-Use Rules to Adapt to Climate Change
Should New Jersey allow houses to be built in flood-prone areas along the Shore? Which parcels should the state defend from rising seas? And will better preservation of dunes and beaches make it easier for coastal residents to withstand flooding and bigger storms? Those were among the questions posed by staffers at the Department of Environmental Protection in its latest session seeking public input for a raft of new regulations that will implement Gov. Phil Murphy’s recent Executive Order 100 to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change. Read more
Great Lakes
Ohio Offering Help for Coastline Erosion Because Lake Erie is at Record High Levels
The  Ohio Department of Natural Resources  (ODNR) is battling a problem it hasn’t been seen since 1987, with record high water levels in Lake Erie causing major erosion of the coastline. The state and ODNR have a couple options to help homeowners and municipalities along the lake shore. Read more

Army Corps to Begin Emergency Repair Work on Lakefront This Month
Storm waves have extensively damaged the shoreline in the Morgan Shoals area, eroding parts of the Lakefront Trail — the pedestrians’ section between 47th and 51st streets remains closed since the storms of Jan. 10-11, which caused wind gusts of more than 50 mph and 23-foot waves — and threatening Lake Shore Drive. Calling the situation an emergency, the USACE reached out to the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office (ISHPO), as required by the National Historic Preservation Act, asking for their comments on the project, according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokeswoman Rachel Tolbert. Read more
West Coast and Pacific
Can Oysters be the Answer to Eroding California Shorelines?
While a project to restore oyster populations is still in its early stages, restoration efforts by Orange County Coastkeeper have attracted tens of thousands of native oysters to a habitat that also helps stabilize shorelines while improving water quality. Read more

Study Examines Coastal Erosion, Drawbacks of Standard Setback Requirements
Research on the Big Island’s coastal erosion, led by a University of Hawaii at Hilo graduate student, is being used to shape county planning policies. The county is already looking to expand upon that initial research. Read more
Gulf
Coastal Project in San Benito to Receive Federal Funding
The San Benito Wetlands Project has been selected to receive federal funding under the Texas Coastal Management Program. $2 million has been approved to fund a number of coastal projects around the state. The project aims to improve water quality and restore wetlands. The funding will allow for the creation of more wetlands and an increase in the bird population in the area. Reisinger says the project is also aims at initiating ecotourism to San Benito. Read more

Gov. Edwards Announces Coastal Priorities for His Second Term
“Over the next four years, CPRA will be investing nearly $1 billion per year in the implementation of some of the most important projects in the Coastal Master Plan,” said Gov. Edwards. “But in order for us to make the most of the opportunities presented by our changing coast and be as successful as possible, we will be redoubling our efforts to collaborate across state government agencies and across the economy. Only through a unified approach resulting from productive partnerships are we going to achieve a Louisiana that is resilient and sustainable economically and environmentally.” Read more
Events & Webinars
Announcements
The NOAA Birthday Story
From NOAA's beginning in 1807 to the organization's recognition in 1970, NOAA has grown with the nation.  Watch this video   to learn about the roots that gave rise to an organization working for our coasts and ocean every day. 

Quick Facts About Your State
NOAA's  Fast Facts   just got better with new   fast facts for each state . Get stats on coastal population, the ocean economy, climate and weather disasters, and more all for your state. Use the graphic on your website, in your presentations, or wherever you'd like. 

Request for Proposals: Long Island Quality of Water Integrated Data System
The Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) is inviting proposals from qualified candidates to provide direct assistance, coordination, and administration for the Long Island Quality of Water Integrated Data System (LIQWIDS) project. Proposals are due April 20, 2020 . Learn more here .

Training Opportunity: Managing Visitor Uses in Coastal and Marine Protected Areas
Balancing tourist needs and expectations with a mandate to protect fragile coastal resources is a fine tightrope to balance on. Host NOAA Office for Coastal Management’s Managing Visitor Use in Coastal and Marine Protected Areas training to help you and your community learn to walk the line. This course helps participants understand, monitor, and manage visitor use to maintain healthy resource conditions and high-quality visitor experiences. NOAA will bring the expertise and trainers, all you have to provide is participants from your community and a space.    

Funding Opportunity: National Coastal Resilience Fund
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) has announced the National Coastal Resilience Fund Request for Proposals (RFP) for 2020. NFWF will make investments to restore and strengthen natural systems so they can protect coastal communities from the impacts of storms, floods, and other natural hazards and enable them to recover more quickly, and enhance habitats for fish and wildlife. Pre-proposals are due April 8, 2020 . Learn more here .

Funding Opportunity: Environmental Literacy
The NOAA Office of Education has issued a competitive funding opportunity for projects designed to build environmental literacy of K-12 students and the public so they are knowledgeable of the ways in which their community can become more resilient to extreme weather and/or other environmental hazards, and become involved in achieving that resilience. This funding opportunity is soliciting two types of projects through separate competitive priorities. For Priority 1, pre-applications are required and will be used to determine which institutions are invited to submit full applications to this priority. The deadline for Priority 1 full applications is March 26, 2020 . Learn more  here.

Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation Regional Workshops
CERF announces the availability of funding to support regional workshops in collaboration with CERF’s Affiliate Societies on high priority scientific and management issues of regional importance. These pilot workshops are intended to explore ways in which the Affiliate Societies and CERF can work together to translate and apply coastal and estuarine science to important regional issues. Workshops should take place between August 2020 and June 2021. Proposals are due May 1, 2020 . Learn more here .
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The views expressed in articles referenced here are those of the authors and do not represent or reflect the views of CSO.  

If you have a news item or job posting to include in future CSO Newsletters, please send an email to: rkeylon@coastalstates.org with a subject line: "Newsletter Content". Please include the information to be considered in the body of the email. 
 
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