Climate Change

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness

The Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant program provides support for cities and towns in Massachusetts to complete a community-driven planning process related to climate change resiliency. In June 2018, the Town received a planning grant to evaluate its climate hazards, discuss its strengths and vulnerabilities, and identify opportunities to improve its overall resiliency. These goals were accomplished by following the Community Resiliency Building (CRB) framework, a public-input process developed by The Nature Conservancy, which leverages the local knowledge and experience of community members to develop a community-specific list of priorities to respond to climate-related hazards. 

The Town contracted with Beals and Thomas, Inc. to complete the CRB process. Representatives from the Town attended bi-weekly conference calls and corresponded by email with representatives from Beals and Thomas, Inc. over the course of the CRB process. In addition, the Town and Beals and Thomas, Inc. held two separate four-hour workshops in December 2018 and January 2019. A variety of community members with an interest in resiliency efforts, including representatives of local and state government, local businesses, non-profits, and other interest groups, participated in these workshops.

A public listening session was held at the Select Board’s meeting on June 4, 2019. Representatives from the Town presented an overview of the draft report and questions were addressed by representatives from the Town and Beals and Thomas, Inc. Comments on the draft report were accepted through June 18, 2019. The final report is posted below.

Final Report Documents

  1. Final MVP Summary of Findings Report 2019-06-26 (PDF)
  2. Final MVP Summary of Findings Report Appendices 2019-06-26 (PDF)

Climate Change Vulnerability, Risk Assessment and Adaptation Study

The Town of Hingham has been awarded a Coastal Communities Resilience Grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management in the amount of $44,461 to complete a Climate Change Vulnerability, Risk Assessment and Adaptation Study. The Town is undertaking the study to identify vulnerable municipal infrastructure and facilities that are likely to be affected by sea level rise and climate change. The goal of this project is to define degrees of impact in vulnerable areas, to develop recommended strategies to manage existing infrastructure, facilities and natural resources, and to plan for future adaptation.

Purpose

The project includes public outreach and education and will provide the Town with materials and resources to help community members understand predicted effects of climate change and sea level rise in Hingham. The project will evaluate existing permitting policies and regulations and will provide the Town with recommended policies to address sea level rise and climate change.

Who's Involved

The project is being guided by citizens, Town staff and members of the Planning Board and Conservation Commission. Public comment will be sought throughout the duration of the project. Please contact the Conservation Office with any questions or comments.

Project Documents

  1. July 20, 2015: Presentation to the Planning Board and Conservation Commission (PDF)
  2. June 10, 2015: Hingham Adaptation Presentation (PDF)
  3. June, 2015: Hingham Natural Resource Evolution Summary (PDF)
  4. April 16, 2015: Climate Change Vulnerability, Risk Assessment and Adaptation Study (PDF)
  5. April 6, 2015: Minutes of Steering Committee Meeting #4 (PDF)
  6. November 6, 2014: PowerPoint Presentation to the Board of Selectmen (PDF)
  7. October 24, 2014: Memorandum Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Model Input Parameters (PDF)
  8. October 20, 2014: Working Group Meeting Minutes (PDF)
  9. September 15, 2014: Working Group Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Final Report Document

  1. Hingham Climate Change Vulnerability Risk Assessment and Adaptation Final Report (PDF)