California Ocean Science Trust’s Post

An interesting thought piece here demonstrating how to move beyond the challenges and seize the opportunities for remodelling our coasts to be more resilient.

Have you ever been 35 metres underground in Vienna? It may be hard to imagine, especially since Vienna's deepest subway station is only 30 metres below ground level…  On Friday, members of our team, together with environmental engineering students, descended 200 stairs to reach Austria's largest #sewer, the Wiental Canal. The Vienna Open Sewer Days offered the unique opportunity to walk through the 35-metre deep sewer below the Wien River with an incredible inner diameter of 7.5 metres. Many thanks to Thilo Lehmann of Wien Kanal, who guided us along the 1.2 km section passing by five inlets that discharge between 1,000 and 30,000 litres per second into the huge Wiental Canal during rain events, to store the water and prevent #overflows into the Wien River. The tour ended at Ernst-Arnold-Park, 140 steps below ground, exactly where in 2027 the 135-metre long #tunnel boring machine will reach its destination to connect a newly-built 9-km long sewer to the existing Wiental Canal. This is currently the largest #waterprotection project in Vienna. "The times they are a-changin’": whereas the cholera canals of the 1830s were built to protect human health by preventing cholera outbreaks, today the Wiental Canal is primarily about water protection for #environmental health. Photo credits: Heidi SCHAAR, Ralph Benco

NY Harbor is the foundation of Matrix’s story.  Our professionals passionately deliver work that protects the Harbor – crosses the Harbor – accentuates the Harbor – and embraces the Harbor. Our legacy includes more than 30 years of NY Harbor engagement, and when Superstorm Sandy hit the region our legacy was recognized, called into action, and sowed the seeds for a NY Harbor Coastal Resiliency practice that is second to none. In the decade since Superstorm Sandy arrived, we have engaged in public and private coastal resiliency engagements that include marquee projects such as Seaport/FiDi Coastal Resiliency, Battery Park City Authority Resiliency, NYC Raise the Shorelines, NJDEP’s Hudson and New Meadowlands Rebuild by Design projects, and Hunts Point Resiliency. Our practice includes support for private interests concerned about protecting their investments from coastal storm surge and sea level rise, those committed to natural solutions such as living shorelines and coastal wetland restoration, and institutions that are addressing the root causes of climate change by delivering clean offshore wind energy through the Harbor and into the NYC grid. In short, we LOVE NY Harbor and have built a practice that reflects our passion. Reach out to us to tap into our expertise and passion. Visit our website to connect and to read more about these projects and our service offerings. https://lnkd.in/eD_xmpK4 #progressthroughmatrix #coastalresiliency #climatechange #nyharbor #nyc #waterfront #osw  

Climate change presents multiple challenges to coastlines and coastal infrastructure.   In this article 👉 https://lnkd.in/gBij5k4Z, our Maritime Planning Service Lead, Benjamin Hall explains how integrated adaptive planning and design, a comprehensive systems-based approach, can guide decision-making to protect coastlines as well as the social and economic value of coastal developments. #WeAreWSP #Maritime #ClimateChange #CoastalDevelopment

#Riverine #landscapes present challenges due to 1. hydrological dynamics, including FLOOD RISKS and EROSION. #Biodiversity preservation and maintaining #migration corridors are crucial due to the ecological sensitivity of these areas. Climate change impacts, such as SEA-LEVEL RISE, further complicate #planning efforts. 2. Water quality issues, such as POLLUTION from human activities, must be addressed in order to safeguard riverine #ecosystems. 3. Balancing #URBANIZATION PRESSURES with the PRESERVATION of #naturallandscapes poses a constant challenge, requiring a #sustainable and #resilient infrastructure design. 4. Engaging #localcommunities is crucial for building COMMUNITY RESILIENCE in the face of environmental challenges. 5. Finally, navigating REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS related to water use, land use, and environmental protection is a key aspect of planning for such landscapes. All in all, an interdisciplinary approach, incorporating environmental science, #engineering, #ecology, #urbanplanning, and #socialengagement, is essential to address these #challenges while balancing human needs with #ecosystempreservation.

Critical infrastructure repair in an already fragile ecosystem takes careful planning, clear communication, and flexibility. This is one of the challenges Cascade navigated when asked to repair engineered grates and drainage systems along an estuary in New Jersey. In this project highlight, discover how we were able to rise to the occasion after unique environmental considerations made extra care necessary. Download here: https://lnkd.in/gX2icmXQ

Happy #WorldEnvironmentDay! Our multi-disciplinary team of engineers, designers, and environmental consultants are committed to creating a greener future for our clients and in the communities where we live and work. Our team has an award-winning history of #environmental work, including #ecologicalrestoration and conservation of vital habitats, #remediation of polluted sites, #resiliency planning to combat changing environmental conditions, and #sustainable design and development to account for potential environmental impacts and protect our built and natural environments. https://ow.ly/LI9j50S9Zv8 Weir Creek – Providing Resilient Infrastructure while Restoring Valuable Marsh Habitats: https://ow.ly/U9eV50S9Zv5 Manchester-by-the-Sea – Restoring Tidal Infrastructure for Improved Coastal Resiliency: https://ow.ly/2ucw50S9ZuT Aspetuck Reservoir Dam – Designing Dam Upgrades & Protecting Wetlands: https://ow.ly/pylw50S9ZuS Mt. Tom – A Strategic Approach to Conservation & Clean Energy: https://ow.ly/J3Qw50S9Zv7

Many #earthquakes and #storms have struck Treasure Island in San Francisco, and yet it still stands after 90 years. This man-made island exemplifies what #engineers can create and achieve. Currently undergoing urban development, the island is being reborn, and engineers are addressing challenges such as future #liquefaction and sea level rise. It’s fascinating to witness soil improvement efforts and strategic placemaking that mitigates sea level rise. Balancing the construction of levees where necessary with parks and nature-based solutions that truly reduce vulnerability is another testament to decision-making based on engineering calculations and managing uncertainties. I appreciate projects like these, where engineers demonstrate that adapting to climate change and reducing vulnerability goes beyond mere words and good intentions. #Adaptation #civilengineering #climaterisk #disasterrisk #SanFrancisco #TreasureIsland

Grant Funding Oppty for Restoration Work in the USA "This Environmental Water Resources Projects NOFO provides funding for #waterconservation and efficiency projects, #watermanagement and infrastructure improvements, and #rivers and #watershed #restoration projects and nature-based solutions that provide significant #ecological benefits, have been developed as part of a #collaborative process, and help carry out an established strategy to increase the reliability of #water resources." https://lnkd.in/gdVgsM_S

Alec Tang, would love to hear your thoughts on this! Paper I just presented to the Transportation Group New Zealand conference