We work with municipal, state, and federal agencies to provide all aspects of climate resilience and adaptation services. Changing conditions require a fresh look at policies, investments, and infrastructure. We help public and private entities understand the implications of climate change and how to plan accordingly. Then, we help our clients implement those plans.
Projects may include Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) and resilience planning, emergency preparedness, coastal resilience and living shorelines design, dam management and analysis, tidal culvert replacements, comprehensive plans, and stormwater management
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Multiple Clients from MA to FL
A current hazard mitigation plan can be a powerful tool, helping communities plan for, and remediate impacts of natural hazards. Working with FEMA and municipalities, we developed an approach that featured four primary methods; a planning process, risk assessment, mitigation strategy, and plan maintenance. HW staff have assisted several towns with similar plans including, Florida–Panhandle, Bristol, RI, Cumberland, RI, Natick, MA, and Providence, RI.
Morro Bay Estuary & Albemarle-Pamlico Sound
US EPA Climate Ready Water Utilities
Water and wastewater utilities face real climate change challenges including sea level rise, changes in precipitation patterns leading to drought and flood conditions, and severe storm events that can cause power outages. We worked with the US EPA to conduct an analysis of climate impacts in Morro Bay, CA and Albemarle-Pamlico Sound, NC. With the help of other experts, we assessed potential changes in ground-water quantity and quality because of climate change. This analysis will help both areas to effectively identify climate threats and potential adaptation measures.
Plan West Ashley
Urban District Revitalization Plan, Charleston, SC
Plan West Ashley will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the area’s streets, transportation system, neighborhoods, and public spaces. We collaborated with Dover Kohl and Partners to develop a community vision and to view the future investment through the lens of climate change, sea level rise, and resiliency. Building placement, transportation hubs, and roadway design accounted for long-term impacts related to a changing climate.
The Massachusetts MVP Program
MA towns and cities
The MA MVP program provides municipalities with support to plan and implement climate change resiliency projects. HW clients include Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Sudbury, Metheun, Peabody, Brewster, Tisbury, Kingston, and Shrewsbury. Our certified staff provide presentations, facilitate active discussion, and offer expertise in natural hazard mitigation planning, emergency preparedness/response, floodplain management, ecosystem and water resources management, and municipal and environmental planning. Municipalities that complete the process become MA MVP certified and are eligible to apply for project funding.
Coastal Resilience through Green Infrastructure
Brewster, Kingston, Chatham, MA
HW provides engineering, permitting, and construction administration services to communities that are taking action to protect these shorelines and adapt to changing conditions. Our work at Breakwater Landing (Brewster), Gray’s Beach (Kingston), and Little Beach (Chatham), for example, includes nature-based designs intended to restore ecosystem functions, protect infrastructure, and build community resilience to flooding and storm surge. These projects feature dune and marsh restoration, managed retreat, living shorelines, and innovative stormwater management.
