Coastal Services Center

State and local resource managers work within politically determined jurisdictions. However, they manage resources within ecological systems that do not break neatly along political boundaries. Planning for conservation, restoration, and land use, and the development of governing law and policy requires the consideration of the human and ecological systems, and the complex interactions of these systems.

| Conservation | Land Use | Policy and Planning | Restoration |

Conservation

	Anadromous Fish Run Site-Selection Tool This tool helps restoration planners consider a number of socioeconomic factors like cost and accessibility in setting priorities for restoring fish runs in Rhode Island.
	Applications for Remote Sensing This site provides examples of how remote sensing technology provides a unique perspective for managers who need to balance social and environmental concerns within a region.
	Costs of Environmental Restoration Projects This Web page provides an overview of the cost of fish passage, seagrass, and salt marsh restoration. Drawing from studies undertaken since the mid-1980s, this Web page also reviews factors that can affect the cost of restoration projects.
	Integrated Coastal Management Tool The Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) tool allows users to overlay forecasts of land use change with ICM-generated analyses of habitat patches to set priorities for restoration and conservation planning. The ICM uses remotely sensed land cover data and indicators of ecological function, such as patch size, and the number and proximity of similar habitat patches, to evaluate the quality of habitat patches in coastal areas surrounding Lake St. Clair.
	Land Cover and Land Use These case studies show how land cover maps combined with knowledge of how communities are using the land can contribute to addressing management issues.
	Protecting SAV during Ferry Terminal Expansion Increases in population and dependency on public transportation in Puget Sound have initiated an expansion project to increase both ferry and terminal size. This expansion could have a negative impact on submerged aquatic vegetation, which provides critical habitat for juvenile salmon.
	Restoring and Preserving Wetlands and Riparian Areas The growing population of Southern California is threatening local wetlands. Nationwide, 75 percent of all coastal wetlands have been destroyed by human activity over the past 150 years, causing in the extinction of many wetlands-dependent species. This project describes the use of remote sensing to obtain biological and physical information that will help managers prioritize recovery and restoration efforts.
	Salt Marsh Site-Selection Tool This tool helps restoration planners integrate socioeconomic and environmental information to identify and prioritize salt marsh restoration opportunities in Narragansett Bay.
	Seagrass Site-Selection Tool The Seagrass Site Selection Tool considers human use conflicts along with ecological factors like water depth, light conditions, historic and current eelgrass distributions, and water temperature to identify suitable restoration sites.
	Social Science for Marine Protected Area (MPA) Managers This site provides an overview of social science tools and applications for MPA and coastal management.
	Wai'anae Ecological Characterization The Hawai'i Coastal Zone Management Program is currently engaging the Wai'anae community and other partners to develop a management framework that applies ahupua'a (a traditional land division) values and practices. The characterization provides cultural and anthropological information for the development of the Wai'anae moku management framework.

Land Use

	Applications for Remote Sensing This site provides examples of how remote sensing technology provides a unique perspective for managers who need to balance social and environmental concerns within a region.
	Calculating Net Revenue of Development Scenarios A component of the Alternatives for Coastal Development Web site, this table steps users through a series of calculations to estimate potential net revenue from three different development scenarios.
	Controlling Runoff This Web page provides information on predicting and controlling nonpoint source pollution from rainfall and runoff. Increased development in the Long Island, New York area has lead to an increase in nonpoint source pollution, which in turn has caused water quality problems as well as beach and shellfish bed closures. This has both social and economic impacts on the area.
	Economic Indicators for Coastal Development Part of the Alternatives for Coastal Development Web site, these pages provide estimated cost comparisons for three hypothetical site design options for a single residential development site.
	Environmental Indicators for Coastal Development Part of the Alternatives for Coastal Development Web site, these pages compare the impacts to natural conditions that are estimated to result from three scenarios.
	Land Cover and Land Use These case studies show how land cover maps combined with knowledge of how communities are using the land can contribute to addressing management issues.
	Mapping Past and Present Oyster Reefs Diversion of water from the Mississippi River to revitalize the marshes in Louisiana has had a negative impact on oyster production, which in turn has negatively impacted commercial harvesters. The project focuses on the efforts by the state of Louisiana to restore the oysters and provide areas for harvesters to relocate. Side-scan sonar is being used to identify locations of current oyster reefs and suitable substrate for new reefs.
	Protecting SAV during Ferry Terminal Expansion Increases in population and dependency on public transportation in Puget Sound have initiated an expansion project to increase both ferry and terminal size. This expansion could have a negative impact on submerged aquatic vegetation, which provides critical habitat for juvenile salmon.
	Restoring and Preserving Wetlands and Riparian Areas The growing population of Southern California is threatening local wetlands. Nationwide, 75 percent of all coastal wetlands have been destroyed by human activity over the past 150 years, causing in the extinction of many wetlands-dependent species. This project describes the use of remote sensing to obtain biological and physical information that will help managers prioritize recovery and restoration efforts.
	Restoring Coastal Habitats for Rhode Island's Future: Socioeconomic Factors Part of the Restoring Coastal Habitats for Rhode Island's Future Web site, these pages include a discussion on the interconnection between the natural environment and socioeconomic factors, as well as the relevance of social and economic factors to land use change.
	Social Indicators for Coastal Development Part of the Alternatives for Coastal Development Web site, these pages compare aspects of a development's design that can enhance or detract from community life. Features such as open space, sidewalks, paths, waterfront areas, and the viability of walking rather than driving are included.
	South Carolina Marsh Island Assessment The South Carolina coastal management community expressed a need for spatial and attribute information of its local back barrier marsh islands. The South Carolina Marsh Island Assessment was conducted to determine the number, size, and distribution of islands present, and to learn the of natural and cultural properties of these islands. The results will help the state's coastal managers assess the islands for conservation or development.
	Updating Road Data for Evacuation Planning In an emergency or an evacuation, time is of the essence. But with increased development and the constant changes in infrastructure: emergency responders do not always have accurate up-to-date information. The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking into using satellites to obtain data on infrastructure to help with emergency planning.
	Updating State Flood Insurance Rate Maps Hurricane Floyd brought devastating flooding to coastal and inland North Carolina. Many of the economic impacts of the hurricane were due to an outdated system that identified flood-prone areas for insurance purposes. This disaster illustrated the need for comprehensive flood planning in North Carolina and resulted in the large-scale flood-mapping initiative that is described in this Web page.

Policy and Planning

	Beach Nourishment Dialog The subject of beach nourishment can be politically and emotionally charged. In this project, two experts participated in a point-counterpoint discussion entitled, "Beach Nourishment: Is It Worth the Cost?" which takes into account social, economic, and effectiveness issues related to beach nourishment.
	Beach Renourishment:The Lessons from One Long Island Community The issue of beach renourishment generates spirited debate and disagreement among homeowners, scientists, environmentalists, researchers, managers, private property rights activists, and members of the general public. This case study illustrates the importance of cooperation and communication in making management decisions.
	Center Survey These are the final reports for the 1996, 1999, and 2002 NOAA Coastal Services Center surveys of coastal management professionals.
	Controlling Runoff This Web page provides information on predicting and controlling nonpoint source pollution from rainfall and runoff. Increased development in the Long Island, New York area has lead to an increase in nonpoint source pollution, which in turn has caused water quality problems as well as beach and shellfish bed closures. This has both social and economic impacts on the area.
	Law and Policy Related to Beach Nourishment The material presented in this section of the Beach Nourishment Web site is designed to provide decision makers with the basic information needed to understand the environmental compliance requirements for a beach nourishment project.
	Mapping Past and Present Oyster Reefs Diversion of water from the Mississippi River to revitalize the marshes in Louisiana has had a negative impact on oyster production, which in turn has negatively impacted commercial harvesters. The project focuses on the efforts by the state of Louisiana to restore the oysters and provide areas for harvesters to relocate. Side-scan sonar is being used to identify locations of current oyster reefs and suitable substrate for new reefs.
	Marine Protected Area (MPA) Content Analysis This project assessed uses, values, and public opinions associated with MPAs through the analysis of over 25,000 news stories.
	Marine Protected Area (MPA) Needs Assessment This needs assessment was conducted to identify technical needs and specific issues related to MPAs.
	Ocean Planning Issues As part of the Ocean Planning and Information System project, a group of representative coastal management professionals discussed high-priority issues for the Southeastern U.S. and identified data sets that could help managers effectively address them. These issues and data sets are summarized in table format.
	Protecting SAV during Ferry Terminal Expansion Increases in population and dependency on public transportation in Puget Sound have initiated an expansion project to increase both ferry and terminal size. This expansion could have a negative impact on submerged aquatic vegetation, which provides critical habitat for juvenile salmon.
	Salmonid Habitat Restoration Planning Resource These Web pages provide an example of how to integrate social science and other information into planning for salmonid habitat restoration.
	Social Science for Marine Protected Area (MPA) Managers This site provides an overview of social science tools and applications for MPA and coastal management.
	Socioeconomic Factors of Beach Nourishment This component of the Beach Nourishment Web site describes a wide variety of important social and economic factors that should be taken into account when considering a beach nourishment project.
	South Carolina Marsh Island Assessment The South Carolina coastal management community expressed a need for spatial and attribute information of its local back barrier marsh islands. The South Carolina Marsh Island Assessment was conducted to determine the number, size, and distribution of islands present, and to learn the of natural and cultural properties of these islands. The results will help the state's coastal managers assess the islands for conservation or development.
	Updating Road Data for Evacuation Planning In an emergency or an evacuation, time is of the essence. But with increased development and the constant changes in infrastructure: emergency responders do not always have accurate up-to-date information. The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking into using satellites to obtain data on infrastructure to help with emergency planning.
	Updating State Flood Insurance Rate Maps Hurricane Floyd brought devastating flooding to coastal and inland North Carolina. Many of the economic impacts of the hurricane were due to an outdated system that identified flood-prone areas for insurance purposes. This disaster illustrated the need for comprehensive flood planning in North Carolina and resulted in the large-scale flood-mapping initiative that is described in this Web page.
	Visitor Use Management Training This two-day training equips coastal managers with a process for identifying visitor use issues, inventorying and monitoring, and taking management actions to address visitor use.

Restoration

	Anadromous Fish Run Site-Selection Tool This tool helps restoration planners consider a number of socioeconomic factors like cost and accessibility in setting priorities for restoring fish runs in Rhode Island.
	Applications for Remote Sensing This site provides examples of how remote sensing technology provides a unique perspective for managers who need to balance social and environmental concerns within a region.
	Costs of Environmental Restoration Projects This Web page provides an overview of the cost of fish passage, seagrass, and salt marsh restoration. Drawing from studies undertaken since the mid-1980s, this Web page also reviews factors that can affect the cost of restoration projects.
	Integrated Coastal Management Tool The Integrated Coastal Management (ICM) tool allows users to overlay forecasts of land use change with ICM-generated analyses of habitat patches to set priorities for restoration and conservation planning. The ICM uses remotely sensed land cover data and indicators of ecological function, such as patch size, and the number and proximity of similar habitat patches, to evaluate the quality of habitat patches in coastal areas surrounding Lake St. Clair.
	Land Cover and Land Use These case studies show how land cover maps combined with knowledge of how communities are using the land can contribute to addressing management issues.
	Mapping Past and Present Oyster Reefs Diversion of water from the Mississippi River to revitalize the marshes in Louisiana has had a negative impact on oyster production, which in turn has negatively impacted commercial harvesters. The project focuses on the efforts by the state of Louisiana to restore the oysters and provide areas for harvesters to relocate. Side-scan sonar is being used to identify locations of current oyster reefs and suitable substrate for new reefs.
	Restoring and Preserving Wetlands and Riparian Areas The growing population of Southern California is threatening local wetlands. Nationwide, 75 percent of all coastal wetlands have been destroyed by human activity over the past 150 years, causing in the extinction of many wetlands-dependent species. This project describes the use of remote sensing to obtain biological and physical information that will help managers prioritize recovery and restoration efforts.
	Salmonid Habitat Restoration Planning Resource These Web pages provide an example of how to integrate social science and other information into planning for salmonid habitat restoration.
	Salt Marsh Site-Selection Tool This tool helps restoration planners integrate socioeconomic and environmental information to identify and prioritize salt marsh restoration opportunities in Narragansett Bay.
	Seagrass Site-Selection Tool The Seagrass Site Selection Tool considers human use conflicts along with ecological factors like water depth, light conditions, historic and current eelgrass distributions, and water temperature to identify suitable restoration sites.
	Wai'anae Ecological Characterization The Hawai'i Coastal Zone Management Program is currently engaging the Wai'anae community and other partners to develop a management framework that applies ahupua'a (a traditional land division) values and practices. The characterization provides cultural and anthropological information for the development of the Wai'anae moku management framework.