The Town of Bourne, with 20,691 residents, is home to the Cape Cod Canal and 37 miles of Buzzards Bay-fronting shoreline [CIT. 17]. Its population swells to 40,000 in the summer.

In the next 30 years, Bourne is projected to experience a variety of climate impacts to both natural and developed areas along its coast (see Coastal Impact Matrix for details).

As soon as 2050:

DEVELOPED AREAS: Daily tidal flooding is projected to impact 156 buildings [CIT. 5]. A 10-year flood may impact more than 2,655 buildings (25% of town buildings), and a 100-year flood may impact more than 3,619 buildings (35%) [CIT. 5]. An estimated 40% of Bourne’s single-family homes lie within vulnerable flood zones. Historic buildings and public parks, including the Museums at Aptucxet and Buzzards Bay Recreation Area, are at risk of increased flooding.

ROADS: Daily tides may flood 2.5 miles of roads. A 10-year flood is projected to inundate 44 miles (14% of town roads), while a 100-year flood may inundate 60 miles (19%) [CIT. 5]. Particularly concerning are the impacts to causeways and other low-lying roads that provide critical — and often sole — access to neighborhoods, including Wings Neck, Mashnee Island, Scraggy Neck, Circuit Avenue, and others.

SALT MARSHES: Seventy five percent (209 of 277 acres) of critical high marsh habitat may be lost by flooding or conversion to low marsh. Overall, about 28% of total marsh (86 of 308 acres) may be completely lost [CIT. 6]. Of particular concern is the salt marsh die-off and degradation at Monks Park, Dolphin Cove, and Gray Gables Beach.

BEACHES: An extensive 23.8 miles of coastline are classified as beach [CIT. 17], and 9.2 miles of the coastline are publicly accessible (25%) [CIT. 16]. Peninsulas and islands such as Bassetts Island provide protective benefits but are projected to be vulnerable to erosion and flooding.

THE TOWN IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING RESILIENCE PRIORITIES [CIT. 36 AND 37]:

• Planning for low-lying, flood-prone roads.

• Improved stormwater and wastewater management including participation in regional solutions for improved water quality.

• Restoration of salt marshes and barrier beaches.

• Adaptation projects to increase resilience of historic resources, municipal infrastructure, and public recreational areas.