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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlennau, J - Peconic Estuary Partnership 7.2025 Palmeri, Allison From:Jade Blennau <jade.blennau@stonybrook.edu> Sent:Wednesday, July 9, 2025 12:27 PM To:Lanza, Heather; Terry, Mark; Krupski, Al; Goldsmith, Glenn; Sepenoski, John Cc:Kathleen Michelle Fallon; Joyce Novak Subject:Follow Up: Enviro-zoning meeting Attachments:Minutes_ TAC_Agenda_May_2025.pdf; SHADi-Post summit (1).pdf Hello Southold Team! Thank you again for organizing and holding the recent Southold environmental and zoning meeting. It was a very productive and informative discussion. I'm writing to follow up on our conversations! New York Sea Grant Law Fellow Work This summer's NYSG Fellow is currently developing a comparison spreadsheet of the wetland and shoreline codes from Southold and other East End towns. We have also tasked her with identifying and incorporating specific ways the Town's Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) can be actively bolstered to complement and strengthen the existing code. We believe this analysis will work very well to back up our shoreline adaptation initiative work, which, as you know, recommends aligning our key shoreline protectors: Planning dept, the LWRP advisory committee, LWRP consistency reviewers, trustees, wetland code policy makers, and the Conservation Advisory Council (CAC). (please let me know if we've missed anyone!) Regarding the broader zoning update, because there isn't a specific coastal resilience overlay zone to review at this time, and the majority of Southold Town is at risk from coastal hazards, we feel the most impactful recommendations will stem from the wetland and shoreline regulations. Therefore, we have asked our fellow to review the zoning update information and only pursue a detailed comparison with the East Hampton zoning code if something specific jumps out as being applicable. Overall, we anticipate the wetland code recommendations will be of the most use. If any of you have direct needs for her investigation, please let us know, and we can look into it! Shoreline Adaptation Inititative, Post Summit The shoreline adaptation initiative will be sending out invites soon to have the Southold groups convene at the August Trustee work session on August 11th. Hope to see you then! See more information on PEP & NYSG Shoreline work here: https://data.gss.stonybrook.edu/dataset/shoreline-adaptation-initiative, and the post-summit one pager is attached. SLR, Marsh Migration, & More I have attached the minutes from our most recent TAC meeting, which covered collecting data best fit for updating the Critical Lands Protection Strategy (CLPS) and the development of a Peconic Estuary shoreline management model. You can see details and links for the recommended datasets and the 2020 CLPS tool in the Climate Vulnerability Assessment, which describes this tool and its data layers in 1 the attached report. Let me know if you'd like to discuss this further! Hoping to schedule a meeting with John soon to discuss data layers and how we design the tool update to best serve the town's needs. Environmental Analyst & CAC Leadership Most of all, I want to back up the sentiment discussed on the need for an environmental analyst in the town planning department to lead complementary conservation efforts alongside the Trustees, CAC, and planning department. This is a recommendation that comes out of the shoreline adaptation initiative, and we will cover with the Town in our overview on August 11th. Overall, I see the need for the CAC to be led by this position and to be strategically focused on efforts like education around enforcement. Educating civic groups, baykeepers, East End marine patrols, bay constables, and other concerned parties on enforcement is vital to supporting the Trustees' work and mission. In addition to changing the culture of enforcement on our shorelines, the violation fees could potentially produce revenue to support this position and lead the CAC's charge. This is just an option that could be explored and discussed as the shoreline adaptation initiative releases its findings documents. More to come, and I hope to discuss how we can weave process change into your work. Thanks again for your leadership on this. Feel free to call anytime to discuss! Thank you all, Jade Jade Blennau Coastal Resilience & Communities Coordinator Peconic Estuary Partnership School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences Stony Brook University jade.blennau@stonybrook.edu (631) 852-2967 To help protect your privacy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet. www.peconicestuary.org ATTENTION: This email came from an external source. Do not open attachments or click on links from unknown senders or unexpected emails. 2 Peconic Estuary Partnersh PROTECTING AND RESTORING LONG ISLAND'S PECONIC BAYS Minutes to be accepted at the next TAC meeting in August 2025 Peconic Estuary Partnership Technical Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda May 7th, 2025, 10:30 am — 12:30 pm Location: Montaukett Library (MLRC) Suffolk County Community College 10:30—Welcome and Sign-In Attendance recorded below. Seagrass Hardened Map Shoreline 10:35—Roll Call—Dr. Matt Sclafani(TAC Chair, CCE) Assessment • Motion passed to approve the January 2025 TAC Minutes. UpdatedProject CLPS Toot Mapper • PEP Program Office announced that TAC and ' NRSC Chair nominations are open for the , October 2025 election. 10:40—Presentation: Dr.Jon Lefcheck(UMCES), PEP Seagrass Monitoring Protocols • Overview of SeagrassNET program and discussion of applying the protocol in the Peconic Estuary. • Site selections for SeagrassNET monitoring include:Bullhead Bay, Napeague Harbor, Coecles Harbor, Sag Harbor, Orient Point, Gardiners Bay, and two new sites targeting widgeongrass monitorings • Sag Harbor to be launched as pilot site, coming Summer 2025 11:05—Questions and Discussion • Concern raised about how changing shorelines may impact transect consistency in the monitoring protocol. Response:SeagrassNET allows case-by-case flexibility to adapt transect locations as needed. • Suggested monitoring frequency is annually, with flexibility for more frequent assessments. • Discussion on widgeongrass increases as potential indicator of changing salinity or other environmental variables. • Consensus on importance of consistent transect placement to maintain long-term data integrity. • Theresa Masin noted that the Town of Southampton has annual aerial imagery(via NearMap) flown each April, available for use. • Clarification that aerial eelgrass surveys are typically flown mid-to-late summer (June—September). • TAC approved Lefcheck's recommendations in its monitoring methodology. 11:20—Presentation:Jade Blennau (PEP) & Dr.Sun-Ghee)Jang(Stony Brook University), PEP Geospatial Center Project Update Peconic Estuary Partnership PROTECTING AND RESTORING LONG ISLAND'S PECONIC BAYS Discussion#1: Updating Critical Lands Protection Strategy • Reviewed the current status and intended use of the updated strategy. Discussed need for updated parcel and inundation scenario data, especially from each township. Data Discussion (Ongoing) • Questions about availability and recency of parcel data by township:Suffolk County's most recent publicly available data may be from 2023;Jeff Herter(NYSDOS)suggested 2024 data might also exist. • Datasets are accessible via the NYS DOS Gateway:https://opdgig.dos.ny.gov/ • Multiple towns(Southampton, East Hampton, Brookhaven)discussed having local parcel and shoreline data;follow-up needed with representatives from SI, Riverhead, Southold • Align coding • NYSDOS "Risk Areas"were discussed, including FEMA SLOSH modeling and sea level rise(SLR) forecasts. • Carolyn Fraoli(DEC)confirmed DEC's SLR forecasts are updated, but no downloadable GIs dataset currently exists. • Noted the importance of median scenario selection for SLR predictions to align with NYSDOS practices. • Coastal Barrier Resources Areas(CBRA)and FEMA flood insurance implications were mentioned. Solute Transport and Groundwater Data • Discussion of updated groundwater data across Long Island;resolution may not meet modeling needs. • The Solute Transport Model contains the most detailed groundwater data currently available. • Chris Schubert datasets noted for groundwater travel time estimates. • Groundwater protection areas are only updated through legislation. Discussion#2:Adapting the VIMS Shoreline Management Model (SMM) Current Input Data Committee to discuss identifying local data sets to use Bank Height for model needs. Discuss what data needs to be Beach invested in and possible sources. canals(navigable) New Input Data Fetch Bank Slope Background: Nearshare Bathymetry See Model presentation to PEP TAC: Permanent Structures Wave Energy httCs://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhyVG2P2NRs Public Boat Ramps Proximity to Narrow Shoreline Management Model(SMM): creeks https://www.vims.edu/ccrm/advisory/ccrm /bm /smm/ l2ipanan Land use �� Federal Channels On this webpage,you can find information about data input,outputs, Roads and different applications. Sand Spits For more information,publication: RTE species Shoreline Pratec6on Nunez, K., Rudnicky,T., Mason, P.,Tombleson,C., Berman,M. Structures (2022).A geospatial modeling approach to Agriculture land use Submerged Aquatic assess site suitability of living shorelines and emphasize best Vegetation(SAV)or shoreline management practices.Special Man roves Site suitability for oyster Issue: Nature-based coastal defense:developing the knowledge Tidal Marsh structures needed for wider implementation. Ecological Engineering. 179. 106617. T ibutary Designation Peconic Estuary Partnership PROTECTING AND RESTORING LONG ISLAND'S PECONIC BAYS • Discussed local dataset requirements to effectively run the SMM model for the Peconic region. • Suggested datasets:bank height, bank condition, upland geology, sediment texture. • Shoreline and tidal marsh inventories noted as valuable resources. • Wave energy and fetch models discussed. • Subaqueous soil info(to 2m depth)available to inform oyster/aquaculture siting. • Include subaerial soil data to support carbon sequestration and shoreline type classification. • Marsh migration corridors being mapped using NOAA Lidar topo-bathy and SLAMM. • Narrow creeks(<8.1m wide)discussed as areas with limited boat access but ecological relevance. • Andrew Walker(DEC)noted the agency still uses the 1974 tidal wetland map for regulatory purposes. • Suggested identification of oyster grounds to get an aquaculture understanding and digitize boat ramps to look those impacts • Rob noted subaqueous soils information to a depth of 2m, and there is a soil inventory and subaerial lands can be included, along with carbon sequestration and hardened shorelines; these datasets exist and can be added into the model • Discussion on incorporating salt marsh vulnerability data and shellfish leasing zones into mapping. • Historical shoreline imagery needed to assess erosion trends. • Jeff emphasized the importance of a user-friendly interface. • Rob noted project delays due to staff turnover and funding;tentative restart in 2026. • Email contact for geospatial data coordination:pepgis@stonybrook.edu 11:50—Questions • Lynn requested the inclusion of current commercial shellfish leasing areas in mapping products. 12:20—Public Comment 12:30—Adjournment *Data links shared in meeting chat: • Explore:Sea Level Rise • https://hub.gss.stonybrook.edu/arcgis/apps/storymaps/stories/4l75f9la3a5d437fbfl d334465b7fc0a • Coastal Risk Areas I New York Geographic Information Gateway • Map Viewer • New York Geographic Information Gateway • National Wetlands Inventory • https://opdgig.dos.nv.gov/ In Person Attendees: Matt Sclafani(CCE), Marissa Velasquez(PEP),Jade Blennau (PEP),Joyce Novak(PEP),Shauna Kamath (NYSDEC), Chris Clapp(SSER/DOS), Brad Peterson (SBU),Steve Heck(SBU),Adam Starke(TNC),Valerie Peconic Estuary Partnership PROTECTING AND RESTORING LONG ISLAND'S PECONIC BAYS Virgona (PEP),Jonathan Lefcheck(UMCES), Chris Schubert, Carlos Vargas(VHB) Zoom Attendees: Alan Duckworth (Town of Brookhaven),Alexa Annunziata (Peconic Bay Keeper),Alexa Fournier (NYSDEC),Ali Farhadzadeh,Andrew Buck(VHB), Andrew Walker(NYSDEC),Ann Welker(Suffolk County Legislator), Bob DeLuca (Group for the East End), Braden Fleming(USDA-NRCS),Theresa Masin (Town of Southampton), Carolyn Fraioli(NYSDEC), Cassie Bauer(NYSDEC), Corey Humphrey(Suffolk County Soil&Water), Danielle McCulloch (USFWS), Deanna Sullivan (NYSDEC), Della Campbell (NYSDEC), Emily Efstration (SH CPF), Gabriella Asher(DOT), Gavin Cohen (Shinnecock Indian Nation), Henry Bokuniewicz(SBU),James Gormley,Jamie Carroll(Suffolk County EDP),Jeff Herter(DOS), Jennifer Burton,Jennifer Juengst(Suffolk County),Jill Moretto(PEP), Karinna Nunez(VIMS), Kathleen Fallon (NYSG), Lynn Mendelmann, Mary Arnold (NYSDEC), Matthew Charters(Town of Riverhead), Matthew Dorman, Maureen Dunn (Seatuck), Michael Flood (EPA), Michele Golden (NYSDEC DOW), Nina Leonhardt(Pine Barrens Society), Rob Tunstead (USDA-NRCS), Sally Kellogg(SSER/NYSDOS), Sam Apgar(USFWS),Tamia Rudnicky(VIMS) Peconic Estuary Partnership PROTECTING AND RESTORING LONG ISLAND'S PECONIC BAYS r:r �nlr I srlI"il}"�r°r' 'I � 1;1•F s ��7r1[ •,InfyrC�n�rr #[",(:rnkrrnri-iz•Rrv-rn 2O4N 'Riuerhead.NY 119c)1 www.PeconicEstuary.org Peconic Estuary N/ Sea Grant Shoreline Adaptation *- - Partnership NEW YORK Summit Fact Sheet PROTECTING AND RESTORING LONG ISLAND'S PECONIC BAYS RESOURCE DEVLOPMENT: PECONIC ESTUARY Providing municipalities with the data,tools, and The Peconic Estuary, an Estuary of National guidance needed to implement NBF in shoreline Significance, requires a forward-thinking resilience projects. approach to shoreline management. As our Peconic Shoreline Viability Assessment: coastal communities face evolving A town-level assessment and literature review that environmental conditions, a collaborative identifies the feasibility and benefits of various effort is underway to enhance resilience and shoreline adaptation strategies. protect our shared natural resources.This fact Shoreline Management Model: Developed with the Virginia Institute of Marine sheet provides an overview of ongoing Science (VIMS), this tool will help identify and initiatives and key recommendations prioritize areas suitable for different shoreline emerging from the Peconic Estuary Shoreline management techniques, including NBF. Summit, designed to help municipalities Bulkhead Removal Study: streamline regulations and foster sustainable A PEP-funded study to document lessons learned shoreline adaptation. from bulkhead removal projects, providing practical insights for replacing aging hard structures with THE CHALLENGE & THE natural alternatives. OPPORTUNITY NY Sea Grant Law & Policy Fellowship: Traditional shoreline management practices A dedicated legal and policy review to identify are being re-evaluated to address coastal regulatory barriers and opportunities. Key hazards more effectively. The Peconic Estuary deliverables for municipalities include a Code Partnership and its partners are leading an Assessment Report. Shoreline Adaptation Website & Story Map: initiative to facilitate the use of nature-based A centralized online hub for information, data, and features (NBF) for shoreline adaptation. case studies related to shoreline adaptation in the This presents a significant opportunity for Peconic Estuary. municipalities to: Guidance & Process Road Maps: • Enhance natural defenses against coastal Documents to address data gaps, guide site hazards evaluations for NBF, establish standardized • Improve water quality and critical habitat monitoring protocols, and provide clear "road maps" • Streamline regulatory processes for more for project permitting. effective and ecologically-sound projects Peconic Estuary N/ 2. Interagency Coordination _ Partnership Sea Grant • Communication and Coordination:Actively participate PROTECTING AND RESTORING LONG ISLAND'S PECONIC BAYS NEW YORK in and communicate with state (e.g., NYS DEC) and federal (e.g., USACE) agencies,ensuring local concerns KEY RECOMMENDATIONS are heard and addressed. • Permit Submission Sequence& Decision:Sequenced The following recommendations, derived from alignment of applications can provide local expert panels and stakeholder discussions, are governments with federal authority backing. designed to improve the regulatory process for Recommended sequence for township with NO Local implementing shoreline projects with NBF. Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP): o Applicant submits to the municipality 1. Internal Agency Procedures o Municipality reviews against local law • Early Engagement in Permitting: Encourage pre- o In case of non-permissible project,a "soft denial" is application meetings where regulators can issued and logged with NYS DOS and USACE to provide clear feedback to applicants on the prevent permit issuance from the federal entity. viability of NBF and project design. a Changes mad based on feedback and • Communication & Coordination: Establish a recommendation for NBF single, primary point-of-contact within the o Following a local permissible determination,the applicant submits to state and federal agencies municipality for shoreline projects to guide Recommended Sequence for the township with an LWRP: applicants through the local permitting process o Applicant submits Joint Permit to NYS DEC, USACE, and coordinate departmental reviews. and NYS DOS for initial review • Regulatory Knowledge Transfer: Develop internal o NYS DOS Coastal Zone Management reviews for training and standardized review procedures for consistencywith approved (and updated) LWRP staff to ensure consistent interpretation and o Following consistency confirmation and joint permit application of codes related to shoreline issuance,the applicant submits to the municipality management and NBF. for local review and approval �4 tie • Code and Policy Updates: Utilize the forthcoming 3. Estuary-Wide Priorities Code Assessment Report and Code Amendment Preservation of Natural Shorelines: Prioritize the Factsheet from the NYSG Law Fellow to identify protection of existing natural shorelines (beaches, bluffs, and implement updates to local laws that remove wetlands) in local planning,zoning,and project reviews,as barriers and encourage innovative shoreline these are low-cost and the most effective form of coastal solutions. resilience. • Incentivizing Resilient Shorelines: Explore and Strategic Land Acquisition with Structure& Bulkhead implement incentives,such as expedited permit Removal:Collaborate with local land preservation programs to strategically acquire vulnerable properties reviews or fee reductions, for projects that utilize where the removal of structures and bulkheads can preferred NBF designs or remove unnecessary restore natural shoreline processes and create community hardened structures. resilience benefits. • Adaptive Management & Regional Learning: Contractor and Practitioner Support:Support the Participate in regional monitoring efforts and development of local expertise by connecting shoreline workshops to incorporate lessons learned from contractors and engineers with training opportunities completed projects into future regulatory (e.g., NYS DEC's contractor training) on the design and decisions and guidance. '79installation of NBF. . . Tools, Resources,and Expertise: Utilize the Shoreline ❑ •_ •;"% ❑ Management Model,Viability Assessment,and other PEP- " www.Peconicestuar or Y• g supported tools to inform project review and long-range /shoreline-adaptation 111 planning. Provide this information to applicants to guide better project design.