February 2023 Program Newsletter | |
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We have experienced record-breaking weather conditions as we've transitioned into the new year: from the December 23 storm, to our warmest January on record, to once-in-a-generation wind chills on February 4 leading right back to milder-than-average February temps. This back-and-forth phenomenon is being called “winter weather whiplash,” and it is expected to increase with climate change. Not only is it disruptive, but it can also be a danger to public health and safety.
As we have seen in recent months, extreme weather conditions can cause flooding and power outages, and increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Temperature swings can create dangerous icy conditions on roads and sidewalks due to rapid melting and refreezing, as well as causing leaks and ice jams on rooves. These swings during the winter also have year-round environmental impacts. When winter snowpack is inconsistent, there is less spring snowmelt to recharge groundwater supplies, contributing to drought conditions. Winter weather whiplash reminds us of the importance of preparing for climate change impacts in our communities.
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Read on to learn what the RSRP has been up to! | |
This winter we are celebrating the three-year anniversary of the Regional Sustainability and Resilience Program. Over the past few years, we’ve led dozens of municipal and regional climate projects, securing almost $1.4M in state and federal funding to support our work. We’ve added capacity to support this work, including a Sustainability and Resilience Specialist and an AmeriCorps Sustainability Fellow (see bio below!) As the Program continues its transition from a pilot effort to a sustained, long-term program within SMPDC, we aim to provide climate, sustainability, and resilience services and support to all of SMPDC’s communities. | | |
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To guide our many current and future projects, the Program developed an updated FY2023 Work Plan. The work plan summarizes the Program’s progress to-date and lays out a path for addressing the region’s new and evolving priorities, including:
- Climate action planning
- Coastal water quality and watershed management
- Building resilience through land use
- Electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure planning
- Sea level rise adaptation strategies
- Implementation of actions from regional studies & assessments
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Marissa Fink joins SMPDC as the Southern Maine Sustainability Fellow for the Resilience Corps program, a joint effort of the Greater Portland Council of Governments and AmeriCorps. Before joining the Resilience Corps, Marissa worked as a naturalist in the Appalachian Mountain Club Huts in New Hampshire, and at Allaire State Park in her home state of New Jersey. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Willamette University with a double major in Environmental Science and Music. During her eight month term of service, Marissa is excited to work on climate action planning, outreach and engagement, and data analysis for municipal and regional projects. | | |
Climate Ready Coast – Southern Maine | |
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Progress on the Climate Ready Coast - Southern Maine regional resilience planning project has continued steadily over the past few months, with a focus on preparing for the development of locally appropriate coastal adaptation strategies. The project team is excited to welcome consulting firm SWCA to the project to lead the development of visual renderings of select adaptation strategies for the 15 priority vulnerable sites identified by the Working Group. These renderings will serve as communication tools and provide illustrative examples of what coastal adaptation strategies could look like on the landscape.
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Next up for the project is the development of a matrix summarizing coastal adaptation strategies, including nature-based solutions, that reflect conditions and vulnerabilities along the southern Maine coastline. | | |
Service Provider Grant Communities | |
The Program continues to support Service Provider Grant communities through the Community Resilience Partnership enrollment process. This month, we hosted a community workshop in Old Orchard Beach. The town is now reviewing priority projects and working with SMPDC to prepare its enrollment materials. Berwick is also working to pass the municipal resolution and is considering priority projects for a Community Action Grant application this spring. Ogunquit’s community workshop was postponed due to snow, but we are looking forward to hosting their workshop in the near future. The towns of Fryeburg and Eliot are both enrolled in the partnership and are currently working on grant applications for priority projects. | | |
Region 1 Coordinator Collaborative | |
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Over the past year, SMPDC has been working with the State’s Community Resilience Partnership (CRP) to support community climate projects. The CRP is a program of the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) that helps Maine communities reduce emissions and prepare for climate change impacts. SMPDC is supporting the CRP by co-leading the Region 1 Coordinator Collaborative (R1CC), a group of three Regional Planning Organizations – SMPDC, Greater Portland Council of Governments, and Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission – facilitated by Resilient Communities L3C. The R1CC provides technical assistance and coordination to all enrolled communities in York, Cumberland, Lincoln, Knox, and Sagadahoc counties.
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So far, the Program has helped 7 SMPDC communities enroll in the CRP, and is actively assisting 4 more communities with enrollment. Enrolled communities in SMPDC’s region have received over $275,000 in action grant funding climate action planning and community outreach. As a regional coordinator, SMPDC is also helping these communities apply for other sources of grant funding.
One exciting example of Regional Program support is a dune restoration project in Kennebunkport. Program coordinators assisted town staff and Conservation Commission members with preparing a grant application to fund the restoration of critical dune habitat along Goose Rocks Beach and enhance the area’s resilience to storms and climate change. The project was successfully funded and is slated to kick off this month.
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The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Webinar Series: Hosted by the Maine Municipal Association and the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future to provide information about funding opportunities for local Maine communities. Upcoming webinar:
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Thursday, March 2, 1:00-2:00 PM, Resilience & Environmental Protection. Register here.
CCAP CAW Climate Migration workshop: This year’s focus is climate migration in coastal ME and NH, with opportunities to discuss the intersection of climate migration and other social, economic, and environmental factors so that practitioners can be better prepared to assist communities through a range of conditions. March 9, 2023, 9 am - 3:30 pm, South Portland Community Center.
Maine Sustainability and Water Conference: Registration is open for both individuals and exhibitors. March 30, 2023, Augusta Civic Center.
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Transportation
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Low or No Emission and Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities: The Low-No Program provides funding to state and local governmental authorities for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. Proposals due April 13th.
Resilience
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Waste Diversion Grants Program Round 1: The State of Maine is seeking proposals from municipalities, regional associations, and businesses to assist in programs, projects, initiatives, or activities designed to increase the diversion of solid waste from disposal. Grant awards range from $1,000-$40,000. Proposals due March 7, 2023.
Energy
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Thanks for reading.
Feel free to reach out to learn more, and follow our social media accounts for more frequent updates.
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Southern Maine Planning & Development Commission | Website
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