Public Workshop: Protecting Newport Historic and Cultural Assets from Flooding Caused by Sea Level Rise

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Cathy Dwyer

Associated Press Jim Davis kayaks through waters flooding Bowen’s Wharf in October 2012 after Superstorm Sandy in historic Newport, R.I

Event kicks off community-based historic preservation effort to address coastal climate change impacts on Newport’s historic properties

The public is invited to participate in a community workshop on flood protection for historic and culturally valuable properties on Newport’s coast. The workshop is scheduled for THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2016, 3-7 P.M., at Emmanuel Church, 42 Dearborn St., Newport, RI 02840.

NOTE: The public is welcome for the whole event; a general overview of the project will be given at 5 p.m. to ensure attendees arriving later in the day have ample opportunity to gain information. RSVP if attending by July 11 to ensure adequate refreshments.

The workshop follows the April 2016 Keeping History Above Water Conference in Newport, which explored historic preservation efforts regarding flooding from sea level rise a key impact of climate change. Newport hosts a broad array of historical and cultural assets, including registered historic buildings, and rising water and increased storminess is expected to threaten these over time. The University of Rhode Island (URI) Coastal Resources Center (CRC) and Rhode Island Sea Grant are facilitating the meeting for several community groups interested in continuing the conference dialogue. The event is also possible due to generous support from the Prince Charitable Trusts.

Science indicates that Rhode Island is more likely than many other coastal states to experience flooding over time from sea level rise, said Dawn Kotowicz, a coastal manager for CRC and extension agent for Rhode Island Sea Grant. Coastal development, including the historic properties and cultural assets that Newport values, is at risk, so collaborating on practical solutions is critical.

CRC and Rhode Island Sea Grant, at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography, provide Rhode Island and beyond with a variety of community-based coastal management and outreach services and programs.

For more information about the workshop, please contact Dawn Kotowicz at (401) 874-6152. Please RSVP. For media inquiries, contact Sue Kennedy at (401) 874-6107 or skennedy@crc.uri.edu.

CRC Working to Help Save Historic Structures from Rising Tides

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Bob Bowen

Read the latest on how CRC’s coastal team has participated in the effort to save historic structures in Newport from flood water and sea level rise. Dawn Kotowicz, Teresa Crean and Pam Rubinoff have been working with the Newport Restoration Foundation, and the team will participate in the History Above Water conference in April.

Register Now for ‘History Above Water’ Conference

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Bob Bowen

Sea level rise as it relates to historic preservation is the topic of a conference in Newport, RI, in April. Reserve your spot now. CRC’s Dawn Kotowicz and Teresa Crean are on the program committee for the conference “History Above Water.” http://www.historyabovewater.org/

Report on Newport Resilience Assessment Tour Completed

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Bob Bowen

CRC has recently published a report providing an overview summary of the Newport Resilience Assessment Tour (NRAT), which CRC led in the summer of 2014 along with its partners at R.I. Sea Grant and R.I. CRMC.

NRAT was conducted as a climate change adaptation effort concentrating on Newport, RI, waterfront and a conducted through the participation of several businesses and organizations interested in receiving recommendations for protecting their property and assets from storm damage and sea level rise.

The assessment tour and report were completed as part of the R.I. Shoreline Change Management Plan (Beach SAMP).