Today, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston and Charlestown (Phase II), a comprehensive framework to understand coastal flood risk, options for coastal resilience solutions, and timelines for implementation along parts of East Boston and Charlestown beaches. Study areas for Phase II specifically include the East Boston shoreline along Chelsea Creek, Belle Isle Marsh, Orient Heights Railyard, Constitution Beach, and Wood Island Marsh; and the Charlestown waterfront along the Navy Yard, Little Mystic Channel, and Boston Autoport. The work builds on the first phase of the two-neighborhood study released in 2017 and is part of a larger citywide effort to address climate change in Boston. The strategies in this report will guide the improvement of coastal flood protection, strengthen Boston’s work to become the greenest city in the country, and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. To complete the East Boston and Charlestown (Phase II), the City developed coastal resilience plans for all 47-miles of Boston’s coastline.
“Climate adaptation presents an opportunity to create a resilient, climate-ready waterfront that advances priorities for open space, mobility, affordable housing, social and racial equity , and conservation of natural resources,” said. Mayor Michelle Wu. “This report outlines a community-driven vision for Boston’s waterfront to be resilient, accessible, and protected.”
The plan evaluates coastal flood risk in communities and identifies flood protection strategies that can effectively reduce flood risk. While other climate risks, such as increased rainfall and extreme heat, are considered throughout the planning process, the plan focuses in particular on how to address the effects of coastal flooding from sea level rise and the influx of typhoon, while providing additional benefits for the community. The plan works to identify strategies that preserve the important functions and historic character of the East Boston and Charlestown waterfronts, while removing the harm of historic planning that unreasonably puts some communities at risk of environmental hazards.
Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston and Charlestown (Phase II) a critical part of Ready for the Boston Climate, the City’s initiative to prepare for the near- and long-term impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, coastal storms, extreme rainfall, and extreme heat. The report is part of a series of coastal resilience planning efforts and outlines a set of infrastructure projects that, if implemented, would increase Boston’s waterfront protection from sea level rise and coastal flooding . The consultant team supporting the project includes Arcadis, Sasaki, Woods Hole Group, and ONE Architecture. The Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) is also on the team as a community partner.
“East Boston and Charlestown are two of the most vulnerable neighborhoods to flooding and sea level rise due to climate change,” it said. District 1 City Councilor Gabriela Coletta. “We must act urgently to strengthen our waterfront and spread nature-based solutions to protect the stability of our coast and our people. The completion of this report provides a necessary climate adaptation framework that will keep our waterfront resilient, inclusive, and accessible for generations to come. I also applaud Mayor Wu and his team for focusing on marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by the negative effects of climate change.
“Building climate-resilient communities requires an understanding of the profound impact of climate change on our neighborhoods,” said District 6 City Councilor Kendra Lara, Chair of the Environmental Justice, Resiliency & Parks Committee. “This project assesses the immediate concerns brought to our attention in the Climate Ready Boston report and presents the necessary long-term solutions. This is a bold step to protect Boston residents and improving environmental sustainability.
Boston is already experiencing the effects of climate change. Projections within the report found that sea levels in Boston are likely to rise by 9 inches by 2030 and 40 inches by 2070 if greenhouse gas emissions continue at their current pace. Coastal flooding threatens areas and services vital to the safety and well-being of the East Boston and Charlestown community, including homes and businesses, evacuation routes, community centers, public parks, and natural areas. . By taking a people-centered approach to coastal resilience, the City of Boston can prepare our residents and communities for sea level rise and flooding in a way that addresses systemic inequities to support a prosperous, Green New Deal city.
“As temperatures rise, Boston will experience significant changes to our coastline, including sea level rise, flooding, and stronger and more frequent storms,” said Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space. “Past decisions made by the public and private sectors have led to increased risks for environmental justice communities. The City is committed to working to support marginalized communities that lead to a disproportionate burden of negative climate impacts.
Engagement with the East Boston and Charlestown communities was central to the development of this plan. Throughout the process, the City met with many City, State, and federal agencies, private and institutional stakeholders, non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, residents, neighborhood associations, and the broader which are East Boston and Charlestown communities. Stakeholders help shape the development of coastal resilience solutions that have multiple benefits for each community. The final report presents near- and long-term solutions for the Phase II study area, with proposed projects such as landscaped berms with opportunities for ecological restoration, elevation of features the Harborwalk, and elevating roads to protect critical infrastructure.
“The residents of East Boston and Charlestown are affected by many environmental stresses that may come from sea level rise and coastal flooding,” it said. Magdalena Ayed, Founder & Executive Director of Boston Harborkeepers. “I am grateful to Mayor Wu and the Climate Ready Boston team for taking steps to protect the community from the effects of climate change.”
The critical actions outlined through this coastal plan reinforce the Wu administration’s commitment to supporting healthy communities and a thriving green economy. Earlier, Mayor Wu proposed his administration first budget which includes groundbreaking investments in climate action to create a Green New Deal city. These investments, which are additional important strategies identified in the plan, include $2.5 million for the new Climate Ready Streets program within Climate Ready Boston to provide heat resiliency, stormwater management, and air quality in key transportation corridors, $20 million for a nation-leading pilot for triple decker and other multi-family energy conversions. homes while maintaining affordability, $2.5 million in ARPA funding to grow and preserve our urban tree canopy, including an innovative pilot program on private land, $2.5 million in electrifying school bus infrastructure, a $6 million ARPA investment to scale Youth Green Jobs, and $137 million in capital funding, in addition to investing in the operation, creation and protection of parks, tree canopy, and open spaces in the city.
To celebrate the release of the Phase II report, City staff and project team members will participate in the annual Constitution Beach Maritime Festival in East Boston today, hosted by The Harborkeepers in partnership with the US Coast Guard and several local organizations. This is an opportunity to share information about the community planning process. City staff and project team members will also be in attendance on August 18 Charlestown Live Music at the Navy Yard (hosted by the National Park Service) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m
