By EurekAlert
Thursday, September 10, 2009
NOAA, along with the Environmental Protection Agency, the
International City/County Management Association and Rhode Island
Sea Grant, has released a guide to bring smart growth to coastal
and waterfront communities.
"Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities" offers
communities 10 coastal and waterfront-specific guidelines to help
them balance development with the environment and the economy while
maintaining the quality of life that makes these communities
attractive.
Among its recommendations, the report suggests that
communities:
- Plan for natural hazards;
- Use natural buffers to protect people and property from
potential hazards;
- Preserve and restore critical environmental areas; and
- Plan for public access to waterfront and coastal waters.
"Coastal and waterfront communities face development pressures
that could affect their economy, environment, and quality of life
for decades to come," said John H. Dunnigan, NOAA assistant
administrator of the National Ocean Service. "These coastal and
waterfront smart growth guidelines will help communities plan for
growth and development while protecting their natural and economic
resources, maritime heritage, and traditional sense of place."
Sea level rise and other impacts of climate change are adding
new challenges to waterfront community development. More than half
the U.S. population lives in coastal counties, which cover less
than 17 percent of U.S. land area. An additional 180 million people
visit coastal areas every year and many others visit lake and
riverfront communities.
The Smart Growth Network started in 1996 as a collaborative
effort between the Environmental Protection Agency and several
nonprofit and government organizations. It was a response to
increasing community concerns about the need for new ways to grow
while boosting the economy, protecting the environment, and
enhancing community vitality. Today its partners include
environmental groups, historic preservation organizations,
professional organizations, developers, real estate interests, and
local and state government entities.
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