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Council Supports Boston Harbor Coastal Storm Risk Management Plan

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The Council is supporting the City of Boston's application for federal authorization of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Boston Harbor Coastal Storm Risk Management Comprehensive System Plan. This week, the Council adopted a resolution supporting the plan and urging continued progress toward protecting Boston residents, homes, businesses, public spaces, transportation systems, and critical infrastructure from coastal flooding.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that without intervention, coastal flooding could affect more than 20,000 structures and generate more than $54 billion in cumulative damages citywide over the study period. The Comprehensive System Plan represents an estimated $9 billion to $10.5 billion investment in coastal storm risk management infrastructure, with implementation generally eligible for a 65 percent federal and 35 percent non-federal cost share.

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The resolution describes the plan as an opportunity to establish a clear pathway from early action to implementation of a comprehensive system of coastal protection. It calls for implementation and sequencing to prioritize life safety, emergency access and evacuation routes, critical infrastructure, environmental justice communities, and socially vulnerable populations, while ensuring that flood protection in one area does not transfer risk to another.

East Boston is identified as a priority area because of its exposure to coastal flooding affecting homes, affordable housing, schools, small businesses, the MBTA Blue Line, harbor tunnels, evacuation routes, Logan Airport-adjacent infrastructure, and Chelsea Creek industrial and fuel facilities. The resolution supports designating an early actionable element in East Boston and calls for a waterside alignment along Border Street consistent with the City's Resilient Border Street Waterfront Project.

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The resolution also highlights coastal flood risks in Charlestown, where flooding can originate from multiple pathways at the Navy Yard, Little Mystic Channel, and Mystic River. The Council calls for a continuous and adaptable line of protection that is coordinated with ongoing planning efforts, protects historic resources, and maintains Harborwalk continuity. The resolution also calls for the full DT-3 alignment to be advanced to ensure additional waterfront areas receive structural protection.

The resolution further emphasizes the importance of reconstructing and maintaining the Harborwalk, integrating stormwater and interior drainage systems, planning for compound flooding, analyzing the reliability of deployable gates and other critical components, and using adaptable and hybrid designs that can respond to future sea-level rise.

The Council urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City, and state and federal partners to continue developing a clear pathway toward implementation, including transparent timelines, funding responsibilities, and opportunities for continued community engagement.

Filed Under: Government, City
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