Sea Level Rise and Climate Committee Reports and Studies
2023
A study exploring alternatives aimed at reducing flooding and maintaining wetland resources at Vinal Cove and "the Meadow" on the North Haven Road. Includes a hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analysis and a geotechnical report.
2020
In 2020, Ransom Consulting, LLC prepared this memorandum for the Town to describe an initial review of the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
An overview of the work conducted from 2016–2020 by the Vinalhaven Sea Level Rise Committee. The report includes recommendations for the Select Board to consider to address the impacts of sea level rise and climate change. The scope of recommendations ranges from infrastructure considerations to policy and ordinance changes. Information in the report is current as of March 2020.
2019
Wood Report: Vulnerability Assessment and Resilience Planning, Vinalhaven Ferry Terminal
In 2019, with support through the Maine Coastal Program the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) commissioned Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. to conduct a vulnerability assessment of sea level rise and storm surge on the Maine State Ferry infrastructure on Vinalhaven. The study was one of 10-site assessments that were a part of DMR's Penobscot Bay Working Waterfront Resiliency Analysis. The resulting "Wood Report" provides a baseline characterization, vulnerability assessment and resilience planning recommendations for the ferry infrastructure on Vinalhaven.
In 2019, with support through the Maine Coastal Program the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) commissioned Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. to conduct a vulnerability assessment of sea level rise and storm surge on the Maine State Ferry infrastructure on Vinalhaven. The study was one of 10-site assessments that were a part of DMR's Penobscot Bay Working Waterfront Resiliency Analysis. The resulting "Wood Report" provides a baseline characterization, vulnerability assessment and resilience planning recommendations for the ferry infrastructure on Vinalhaven.
From the Island Institute: an interactive story map that shows the projected economic impact of sea level rise to our community.
2018
In the fall of 2018, the SLR Committee hosted a Flood Resilience Checklist Workshop to evaluate Vinalhaven’s vulnerability to flood hazards and develop recommendations for increasing resilience. Central to the resulting Flood Resilience Checklist Report are recommendations for flood preparedness and response from a public safety perspective.
2017
In Spring 2017, Vinalhaven was awarded a Design and Resiliency Team grant. This technical assistance grant provided expertise in envisioning a more resilient downtown. This grant helped to inform our on-going Downtown Revitalization work by providing concepts around social resiliency, coastal flooding, complete streets, and recommendations for moving forward.
2016-2018
In Fall 2016, Vinalhaven was a recipient of a Maine Coastal Program Planning Grant to conduct a vulnerability assessment conducted by Ransom Consulting, LLC. The assessment of Carver's Harbor includes recommendations for adaptation implementation and mitigation next steps.