Year: 2017
Project(s):
Relevance
Local governments have cited the need for technical assistance for resilience planning to interpret information, provide science-based solutions and envision an enhanced future state of resilience.
Response
After participation in a Coastal Community Resilience Index session facilitated by Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) staff and MASGC-trained facilitators, the coastal communities of Fairhope (Alabama), Biloxi (Mississippi) and Terrebonne Parish (Louisiana) identified technical assistance needs. MASGC applied for and received a grant for $296,315 from the EPA Gulf of Mexico Program to create Expert Action Teams, which include local knowledge expertise and science expertise to solve a pressing problem in each of these communities. The MASGC-led effort released a Request for Resilient Action (RRA) that led to high-priority implementation projects in the three states.
Results
The MASGC-led Expert Action Teams are assisting: (1) the City of Fairhope with a design charrette detailing options for achieving Clean and Resilient Marina status and improving stormwater runoff; (2) the City of Biloxi with creating uniform signage for living shoreline projects throughout the city and creating informational resources (written and online) to communicate with homeowners about living shoreline benefits; and (3) Terrebonne Parish with the development of plans for a floating grocery/supply store and the legal components associated with this type of infrastructure. As a result of this assistance, Fairhope has successfully addressed stormwater issues at a marina and received a Clean Vessel Act grant from the state of Alabama for the installation of pumpout stations at the site. Biloxi has approved signage for two living shorelines projects (Camp Wilkes and Old Brick House) along with consideration for an additional site (Popps Ferry Causeway). Terrebonne Parish is reviewing mock-up designs for the floating grocery store and enlisting grocery store experts to discuss stocking and restocking options.
Recap
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant led a unique technical assistance effort that created multi-disciplinary Expert Action Teams in three local governments to increase their resilience to future coastal storms. (2017)