Southern Connecticut Regional Framework for Coastal Resilience: Legal, Policy, and Regulatory Assessment Guide

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CAKE TeamAbstract
The following “Southern Connecticut Regional Framework for Coastal Resilience: Legal, Policy, Regulatory Assessment Identifying Options for Advancement of Natural/Green Infrastructure Projects and Improve Resilience in Coastal Municipalities” guide is part of a larger project to assess and advance opportunities to reduce risk from large-scale storm events, increase the viability and resiliency of natural ecosystems in the project area, and initiate a Regional Framework for Coastal Resilience across ten coastal municipalities in Southern Connecticut. The project focuses on community resilience building through natural and green infrastructure and land use and is managed via a partnership among the South Central Regional Council of Governments (SCRCOG), Nature Conservancy (TNC) and Connecticut Metropolitan Council of Governments (MetroCOG) (i.e., core project team). The following “Guide” is a truncated version of a much more detailed report prepared by MAI available from the core project team.
This guide is organized into two sections: 1) audit of legal authorities central to regional resilience policy and planning; and 2) legal and policy options for advancing natural/ green infrastructure and improving overall resilience of municipalities.
In each of these sections, jurisdictional and procedural processes are separated into the following categories for ease of navigation and reference:
- Planning and zoning, including building codes, flood and erosion control, coastal management, wetlands regulation, and other issues;
- Water quality protection;
- Parks, wildlife, and open space;
- Transportation infrastructure, including navigation and highways.