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Community Coastal Resilience Study
and Infrastructure Evaluation
Old Saybrook applied for and received notice in early January, 2016 that it has been awarded a $125,000 planning grant from the Connecticut Department of Housing. The grant is supported through a "Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery" program. It funds development of an Old Saybrook Coastal Resilience Study and Infrastructure Evaluation that will help plan for Sea Level Rise (SLR) and to prepare the next update to the Town's Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan.
The Town has retained GZA, a leading environmental and geotechnical consulting firm, to conduct a Community Coastal Resilience Study & Infrastructure Evaluation. The purpose of this project is to strengthen the environmental, social and economic resilience of the town to coastal flooding and the effects of sea level rise, and to the likely increases in the frequency and intensity of coastal storms, coastal flooding, storm surges, and coastal erosion.
Dr. Alex Felson and Associates and Stantec will support GZA in conducting the work for this important coastal resilience project. This study will provide a detailed assessment of the risks from sea level rise with respect to community assets including coastal infrastructure, essential facilities and structures, neighborhoods, natural and recreational resources, and other critical town owned assets. Based on this assessment, the GZA Team will assist the Town to develop resiliency strategies and adaptation actions to mitigate or reduce risks to vulnerable areas.
The work follows on the recent report of the Town’s Sea Level Rise Climate Adaptation Committee, whose Report of Findings (2015) can be obtained in print at the Town Hall, Land Use Department, 302 Main Street. The Town first included the phenomenon of sea level rise in its Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (2014). The Coastal Resilience Study and Infrastructure Assessment will prioritize where and how the Town focuses its efforts in the coming years to become more resilient to coastal hazards.
Vulnerability Assessment
In Spring 2017, the flood vulnerability analysis portion of the study was completed by GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. under contract to the Town, which evaluates the vulnerability of Town assets, essential and lifeline facilities, neighborhoods and natural resources, to coastal flooding including the effects of sea level rise. The vulnerability analysis evaluates multiple probable flood events and several different sea level rise scenarios and builds upon existing studies by FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the University of Connecticut (CIRCA) and the December, 2015 Report of Findings prepared by the Town’s Sea Level Rise Climate Adaptation Committee. High resolution
numerical hydrodynamic modeling of tides, storm surge and waves was also performed as part of the vulnerability analysis. The findings of the Vulnerability Analysis were presented in a public meeting on Wednesday, June 6, 2017 at Vicki G. Duffy Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street. About 60 people were in attendance; several from neighboring towns and the Borough. The slides from the presentation are available here.
Resilience Strategy
In Fall 2017, the resilience strategy portion of the study was completed by GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. The recommendations were presented in a public meeting on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at Vicki G. Duffy Pavilion at Saybrook Point Park, 155 College Street. About 50 people were in attendance; again, several from neighboring towns and the Borough. The slides from the presentation are available here until video of the presentation is available.
Implementation Plan
The full Study Report is expected to be delivered to the Town by the end of the 2017 calendar year.
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