fairhaven

The Town of Fairhaven, with 16,072 residents, has the smallest land area of all the towns on Buzzards Bay (12 square miles), however its extensive shoreline stretches 29 miles [CIT. 17] along Buzzards Bay, New Bedford Harbor, and Nasketucket Bay. The New Bedford hurricane barrier, which was constructed to protect the harbor from storm surge, closed 26 times due to high tides in 2019 [CIT. 7] and is projected to close more frequently as the sea rises.

In the next 30 years, Fairhaven 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 324 buildings (3.5% of town buildings), including municipal, flood-prone coastal neighborhoods, and the harbor waterfront [CIT. 5]. A 10-year flood may impact 1,433 buildings (16%), and a 100-year flood may impact 1,759 buildings (19%) [CIT. 5]. Water, stormwater, and wastewater systems are aging and at risk. The town’s four sewer pump stations are in vulnerable coastal flood hazard areas.

ROADS: 5.7 miles of roads (4% of town roads) may see daily tidal flooding, 23 miles (17%) could be inundated in the event of a 10-year flood, and 28 miles (20%) in a 100-year flood [CIT. 5]. Vulnerable roads include the causeway to West Island, Sconticut Neck Road, and Huttleston Avenue (Route 6).

SALT MARSHES: Seventy-seven percent (420 of the 547 acres) of critical high marsh habitat may be lost by flooding or conversion to low marsh. Overall, about 7% of total marsh (39 acres of 571 acres) may be completely lost [CIT. 6]. Areas of greatest concern include Winsegansett and West Island salt marshes.

BEACHES: Nearly 11 miles of coastline are classified as beach [CIT. 17] and 9 miles of the coastline are publicly accessible (30%) [CIT. 16]. These areas are expected to experience increased erosion rates. Vulnerable areas include Fort Phoenix State Reservation and West Island Town Beach.

““Personally, I think we need to move away from elevating [vulnerable infrastructure] and more towards retreat.” ”
— WHITNEY MCCLEES, CONSERVATION AGENT AND SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR

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

  • Collaboration with New Bedford on harbor and waterfront vulnerability assessments.

  • Resiliency improvements to sewer pump stations.

  • Adaptation strategies for West Island Town beach and salt marshes.

  • Bylaws and regulation updates to address resilience.