1. CLIMATE CHANGE PLANNING IN CHELSEA, MASSACHUSETTS
JOHN DEPRIEST, AICP, DIRECTOR
CHELSEA DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
MASSACHUSETTS SMART GROWTH CONFERENCE
WORCESTER, MA
MAY 17, 2017

3. CHELSEA ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO COASTAL STORMS
60% of municipal boundary borders tidally influenced waterways
Mystic River provides a direct pathway for storm surge up the river
Low-lying areas of the city are, on average, less than 10’ above sea level
Filling of tidelands & marshes & armoring of waterfront have disrupted natural protection
SOURCE: Designing Coastal Community
Infrastructure for Climate Change, 2017
SOURCE: United States – East Coast, Boston Harbor, NOAA, 1998

4. Probability of Flooding
Potential Flooding Depths
Present
Present
2030
2030
2070
2070

5. The City of Chelsea’s Local Climate Adaptation + Resilience Initiatives
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2014
Identify potential impacts of flooding and prepare talking points for permitting boards
Emerson College 2015
Communicating Climate Change Issues to a Multi-Ethnic Community
WPI/Woods Hole Group/Stantec 2016
WPI students identify potential impacts of flooding on key municipal infrastructure
WHG identify and map extent of flooding under different scenarios
Stantec develop conceptual plans and cost estimates to prevent flooding

6. The City of Chelsea’s Local Climate Adaptation + Resilience Initiatives (Continued)
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Plan 2016
UMass Boston/MAPC/AGU 2016
Identify impacts of flooding on New England Produce Center
American Geophysical Union (AGU) Scientist
Synthesize existing studies/information
Identify issues yet to be addressed
Develop a plan of action for developing a full impact assessment

7. The City of Chelsea’s Local Climate Adaptation + Resilience Initiatives (Continued)
Metro Mayors Coalition Climate Smart Tool Trust for Public Land (TPL) 2017
TPL developed a GIS based tool for identifying potential impacts of climate change
Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2017
WPI students identify extent of heat related impacts on Chelsea and vulnerable populations
Review and identify adaptation strategies to address heat impacts

9. RESILIENCY PLANNING IN CHELSEA & COASTAL COMMUNITIES
Coastal Surge
Affected by tides: timing is critical
Designated Port Area
Preserve working waterfront
Affects location of structures
Multi-jurisdictions/Constituencies
City
State
Federal
Densely Urban & Built Out

10. THANK YOU. GRACIAS. MERCI. GRAZIE. DANKE. TACK. ASANTE. 감사합니다. NUQNEH.
John DePriest, AICP Director of Planning & Development/ Conservation Agent City Hall, Rm Broadway Chelsea, MA (office) (direct) (fax)