Rick Dimino
As we begin the winter season, it is likely we will be reminded again about the risks and potential damage from coastal flooding along the South Boston Waterfront, East Boston, Charlestown and many other areas throughout Massachusetts.
Last year, we experienced standing water on Seaport Boulevard, impassable walkways along Boston Harbor and tides approaching Atlantic Avenue, the Rose Kennedy Greenway and the roof of the Central Artery Tunnel. These images are another alarm on the impacts of climate change and the threat to our infrastructure, economy and quality of life.
The city of Boston is developing solutions and adaptation plans, and importantly, the Walsh administration is now putting money on the table. This is welcome news and Mayor Marty Walsh deserves praise for this important step.
The city has recently released both the Coastal Resilience Solutions for South Boston report and the Resilient Boston Harbor plan. This follows similar work that identified challenges and recommendations in East Boston and Charlestown. They found that sea levels will continue to rise, potentially by 18 inches by 2050, and over 3 feet by the year 2070.
Without proper infrastructure improvements, we would be subject to flooding that damages business, residential neighborhoods, financial areas and tourist destinations.
The mayor is also committing to spending 10 percent of the city’s capital infrastructure budget on resiliency infrastructure, which means there will be almost $20 million annually for improvements.
The city is also shaping new regulations. The Boston Planning and Development Agency is preparing design guidelines for new construction and building retrofits for properties located in a flood resiliency district that would apply to many areas.
The zoning codes are expected to ensure that future development in vulnerable areas will be prepared for inland and coastal flooding. Boston is moving to shape the appropriate regulatory tools to better influence, guide and streamline resilience action, and ultimately reduce the risk of structural damage from storm surge and future flood events.
The city’s Office of Environment, Energy and Open Space is a full partner with the BPDA on this effort and after public input is expected to finalize the vision next year.
Beyond the Seawall
Resiliency infrastructure is much more than a seawall and drainage system. The mayor’s report presents points out there are high priority opportunities where investment can not only prevent billions of dollars in estimated direct physical damages and displacement costs, but could result in open space and resiliency improvements for entire districts.
One specific exciting opportunity is in the Fort Point Channel area, where waterfront parks are possible. Future private development in coastal areas will continue to contribute to resilient coastal infrastructure too.
Water from storm surge doesn’t pool only in properties owned by the private sector. Damage from high tides will not be limited to only state roads, federal lands or the MBTA subway lines. This collective challenge can only be addressed with partnership, coordination and financial commitments from all levels of government.
It is time to move quickly determining the role and funding strategies from each level of government. With the new Congress scheduled to being in January, there may be real opportunities for additional federal infrastructure dollars and bipartisanship on resiliency funding.
The city of Boston and the Green Ribbon commission’s work has given a range of estimated financial needs for proper resiliency infrastructure, and it approaches billions of dollars. This is a cost that can’t be supported by the private sector or property taxes alone.
We need to follow the previous models that have worked for major infrastructure projects in Boston. They all will show multiple levels of government committed to working together. The cleanup of Boston Harbor happened as a result of federal, state and WMRA contributions. There are many examples that could be replicated, but since we are all in this together, each level of government needs to define their role and show some urgency in advancing this work.
The city and state’s resiliency challenges will need to be addressed in a comprehensive way. Financing, governance, engineering and construction capacity, innovation and public engagement will be essential.
Rick Dimino is president and CEO of A Better City.
