STATE OF THE COAST
FEATURE ARTICLES


 

state of the coast: Introduction

Now in its third year, The Trustees’ annual State of the Coast report pulls together the latest climate change projections to tell the story of what is expected to happen along our Massachusetts coastline. This year we focus on the South Coast and the 14 towns that border Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Bay. Over the next 30 years, this region is projected to experience increased flooding in low lying communities, loss of salt marsh, impacts to water quality, and erosion of shorelines. In producing this report, The Trustees collaborated with towns and partner organizations to develop recommendations for collaboration and action that will lead to resilient communities and natural resources.

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Beaches

With over 250 miles of beaches and rocky shores, the coastlines of Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Bay are unlike any other area in Massachusetts. Rocky headlands jut out between the bays’ rivers and streams, and a sweeping arm of land stretches from Falmouth to the Elizabeth Islands — a glacial deposit that creates Buzzards Bay and provides partial protection from ocean waves. In this region, the shorelines support recreation, commerce, fishing, scientific research, and extraordinary natural habitat.

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SALT MARSHes

Salt marshes are one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet, and this region’s marshes are no exception. These wide expanses of natural open space provide more than a beautiful view, they are home to a diversity of wildlife, filter pollutants before they reach our bays, and provide storm protection to our coastal communities by buffering storm surge and absorbing excess rainwater. These landscapes, if healthy, also show incredible promise for slowing the effects of climate change by sequestering vast amounts of carbon — more than 10 times the amount sequestered by forests.

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developed coastlines

The Massachusetts coast is a beloved place for many. Drawn to the shoreline, we’ve built cities, towns, and neighborhoods along a waterfront that supports local economies and enhances our lived experience. Yet coastal towns are now on the front lines of the increasing risks of climate change, including impacts from coastal storms, flooding, erosion, and sea level rise. On the South Coast, there are 14 towns ringing Buzzards Bay and portions of Narragansett Bay which benefit from the ocean’s natural resources. Two Designated Port Areas and world-renowned research institutions contribute greatly to the economy of the region that nearly half a million people call home.

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Photo courtesy: Keith Joseph Piwowarski

Working WaterfrontS

Much of this region is intrinsically linked to the sea, with a legacy of whaling, shipping, and fishing that goes back thousands of years. Today, a Blue Economy that relies on fishing remains central to this part of the state (see table) and has grown to include ocean science, tourism, and a nascent wind power industry. One of the more visible examples of this are the working ports that support commercial centers in nearly all the towns, including two Designated Port Areas in New Bedford (includes Fairhaven) and Fall River that are critical to the state’s economy.

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Water quality and habitat

Historically, Buzzards Bay and Narragansett Bay and the rivers and estuaries feeding them were home to abundant populations of wildlife including bay scallops, quahogs, soft shell clams, and oysters, as well as several fish species such as striped bass, bluefish, and river herring. Human actions and land use, however, have led to water pollution and habitat degradation that have decimated the bay scallop population and had severe impacts on eelgrass, shellfish, and fish populations. Climate change also plays a role with warming ocean temperatures and increased stormwater runoff contributing to habitat declines.

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facing the future

The coast holds a natural draw for many of us, who make homes, livelihoods, and memories on its shores. An incredible 40% of the nation’s population live on the coast, in areas that account for less than 10% of the total land in the contiguous United States [CIT. 39]. In the state of Massachusetts, half of the 10 largest cities by population are coastal, including two featured in this report — New Bedford and Fall River [CIT. 39]. Protecting and adapting these areas is critical — the impacts of climate change are expected to significantly affect access, habitat, infrastructure, and economy, as detailed throughout this report.

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Beaches and Working Waterfronts photos courtesy Keith Joseph Piwowarski