File Sharing | Nature Block Island

Folder Sharing System

Visit the folders to view active working documents. Only those who are listed members of working groups/points of contacts have permission to edit the folders, ensuring no discussion as a large group.

If there is an issue please email Glennie LeBaron (BI Climate Resiliency Coordinator) at glennie.lebaron@tnc.org

Current Members:

Judy Gray (Chair)
Corrie Heinz
Anne Salinas
Valerie Blansfield
Socha Cohen
Mary Anderson
George Davis
Clair Comings
Nigel Grindley

Working Group Folders

For each of the options, we have included below some potential areas of action or focus, including those which emerged as priorities from participants in the June 2023 Community Engagement Workshop. While Working Groups should consider these illustrative actions, there is no requirement that they select these as the actions they want to pursue this year.

Public Education and Information

Mary Anderson, Socha Cohen, Corrie Heinz

Illustrative Action Areas:

Collect and synthesize information on key topics to share with public
Continue and expand public education; identify speakers/presenters and organize public forums in collaboration with conservation or other civic groups. This may include organizing a virtual STORMTOOLS Training
Educate Town leadership on ways to implement resilience
Improve property owners’ access to information about mitigation/nature-based solutions, data on SLR impact, septic issues, insurance, etc.
Update the SLR web page with key links and resources
Together with community engagement WG, identify speakers/presenters and organize public forums in collaboration with conservation or other civic groups

Shared Folder

Community Engagement

Mary Anderson, Anne Salinas, Judy Gray

Illustrative Action Areas:

Improve coordination with community/conservation groups thru regular outreach and participation in joint initiatives and meetings
Plan an annual community engagement workshop/forum
Maintain a contact list of key stakeholders from the town, businesses, concerned citizens, youth, business owners, conservation groups, etc.
Catalyze and/or contribute to citizen-led efforts on key issues (including following up with those who responded to the post-workshop survey to say they would lead on topics)

Shared Folder

SLR Grant Support and Coordination with Town

Valerie Blansfield, Clair Comings, Judy Gray

Illustrative Action Areas:

Support developing recommendations for 2024 Town Budget, including (potential) recommendation for a Coastal Resilience Coordinator.
Advocate for, and contribute to, finding grant monies to be used for identified needs such as: slip lining sewer pipes; retrofitting homes for flood proofing; and/or for protecting/replacing vulnerable and/or failing septic systems.
Provide inputs as needed for the Town’s grant applications.
For existing town grants: coordinate with Town officials; provide inputs, and/or flag issues, to the Town; stay up to date on progress; and report back to the full SLR Committee on progress.
Look for other municipalities to join us in applying for grants (as regional clusters may be more likely to receive funding).

Shared Folder

Town Ordinance Review and Recommendations

Claire Comings, Socha Cohen, George Davis

Illustrative Action Areas:

Illustrative Action Areas:
In coordination with the TNC Climate Resilience Coordinator, conduct a review existing town ordinances that have relevance to the Town’s ability to adapt and respond to SLR; Propose to the Town Council potential revisions to existing ordinances. For example, consider amending zoning regulations allowing variances for setbacks for construction so that marshes are allowed to migrate, and/or consider revising application checklist for Planning Board to include using STORMTOOLS and/or other applications to look at SLR/marsh migration impact on coastal properties.
Propose to the Town Council potential new ordinances needed to improve the Town’s ability to adapt and respond to SLR
Collaborate in these efforts with other key stakeholders such as relevant town officials, Town Council members, BIRA and other civic and conservation groups.

Shared Folder

Points of Contact for Focus Areas

Bridgegate Sqaure

(underground town infrastructure and essential businesses)

Clair Comings

Illustrative Actions:

Collaborate with WGs on public education/information, community engagement, and coordination actions related to Bridgegate Square concerns/initiatives
Advocate for, and contribute to, finding grant monies to be used for identified Bridgegate Square and town utility related needs such as slip lining sewer pipes

Resources

Shared Folder

GSP Marsh Migration

(affecting mostly private properties around Great Salt Pond)

George Davis, Corrie Heinz, Anne Salinas

Illustrative Actions:

Team up with conservation groups and/or school to Ground Truth Tier 1 parcels.
- Educate and inform affected property owners, in collaboration with conservation groups
- Provide property owners and realtors with an easy tutorial on how to use the web mapping tool to identify Tier 1 parcels.
- Provide inputs as needed to updated town planning- e.g. updating the Comprehensive Plan Map on Potential Loss and Migration of Marshes due to Sea Level Rise
- Organize/coordinate with other citizens/groups on oyster reef initiatives

Resources

Shared Folder

Ocean and Beach Avenues & BIUD/ETIPP POC

(low roads around Harbor Pond, BI Power Company, and police/fire/ rescue)

Corrie Heinz, Nigel Grindley

Illustrative Actions:

Serve as SLR Point of Contact with BI Utility District board
Attend BIUD meetings as SLR Committee representative
Prepare and attend any other meetings related to the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Program (ETIPP); provide any needed inputs to ETIPP and consult with, and report back to, the SLR Committee
Work on issues related to the SLR focus area of Ocean Ave/Beach Ave intersection and initiatives related to protecting energy infrastructure
Keep updated on the status of the BIPCO request to Army Corps of Engineers related to sub-station flooding

Resources

Shared Folder

Ocean Avenue

(at Payne’s Dock end; town infrastructure and businesses)

Valerie Blansfield, Nigel Grindley

Illustrative Actions:

Collaborate with WGs on public education/information, community engagement, and coordination actions related to Ocean Ave/Payne’s Dock concerns/initiatives
Coordinate with Ocean Ave/Payne’s dock stakeholders (businesses and organizations)
Advocate for, and contribute to, finding grant monies to be used for identified Ocean Avenue/Payne’s Dock related needs
(Potentially) facilitate the installation of a tide educational marker at BIMI

Resources

Shared Folder

Corn Neck Road (from Bridgegate to Scoth Beach

Mary Anderson, Judy Gray, Nigel Grindley

Illustrative Actions:

For existing town grants on CNR: coordinate with Town officials; provide inputs, and/or flag issues, to the Town as needed; stay up to date on progress; and report back to the full SLR Committee on progress.
- Collaborate with WGs on public education/information, community engagement, and coordination actions related to the CNR grant activities, etc.
- Organize/coordinate with other citizens/groups on dune strengthening/restoration efforts

Resources

Shared Folder

North End/Point

Valerie Blansfield, Nigel Grindley

Illustrative Actions:

Serve as SLR Point of Contact to North Light Commission and coordinate with them as needed on relevant action.
Work on issues related to the SLR focus area of the North end, including the Settler Rock parking area and last stretch of Corn Neck Road, dune restoration on the West side of point, impact of SLR on Sachem Pond, etc.
Educate and inform concerned citizens and affected property owners, in collaboration with conservation groups

Resources

Shared Folder