Project Summary/Overview
The elements of this project were to conduct research on present consensus estimates of sea level rise effecting the New England coast, the review approached taken by other states and communities in responding to this threat, to develop maps identifying the areas of increased risk to flooding from sea level rise specific to Seabrook, and finally to identify the various regulatory and non-regulatory options that should be considered by Seabrook to protect the town from this potential risk.
Project Background
The Rockingham Planning Commission received funds from the town of Seabrook and the New Hampshire Coastal Program to develop adaptation strategies to protect areas of town at risk of flooding due to climate change.
Project Implementation
The Rockingham Planning Commission’s preparation of this report included: risk assessment, prioritization of projects, and funding and allocation of both financial and human resources. The Commission reviewed findings and recommendations to develop maps and suggested land use regulations laid out in the report.
The Commission collected elevation data from the US Army Corps of Engineers and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging – imaging used to generate high resolution vertical terrain data) to create an accurate and detailed digital elevation map of Seabrook, NH. The Commission included five maps from this data.
The Commission also considered policy options, including regulatory recommendations, non-regulatory recommendations, and emergency management and hazard mitigation recommendations
Project Outcomes and Conclusions
Sea level rise will significantly alter New Hampshire’s coastal shoreline through increased severity and frequency of flooding, shoreline erosion, and changes to coastal ecosystems. Science based forecasts for accelerated sea level rise over the next 100 years due to global warming are as high as five feet. Important public infrastructure and critical wildlife habitat in Seabrook and the region are directly threatened by storms and coastal inundation. Local decision makers need to develop and implement policies and regulations to plan for and mitigate the impacts of these changes. An important step at this point is to put regulations in place that increase the design flood elevation for buildings and infrastructure in the areas that will be subject to higher risk of flooding, as identified by the report.
Prepared By:
Rockingham Planning Commission
156 Water Street
Exeter, NH 03833
email@rpc-nh.org
(603) 778-0885