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11/05/2015 11:30 AM

Public Info/Input Session: Branford's Changing Coastal Risks


High tide during a stormy October day at Branford Harbor sent water surging upwards at the town dock; but has this area been identified as one of Branford's coastal hazards? Find out on Nov. 18 -- and bring your own Branford coastal impact stories -- at the town's public info/input session for Branford's Coastal Resilience Plan.(Photo from Video) Kelley Fryer/The Sound

What -- and where --  are Branford's current risk areas for storm surge, erosion, flooding and other coastal hazards?

On Nov. 18, many of those areas will be revealed, and more are hoped to be brought to light, during a public information meeting and workshop on Branford's Coastal Resilience Plan.

The session, hosted by the Town of Branford, will be held at 7 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 18 at Branford Fire Headquarters, 45 North Main St.

According to a press release issued by Town Engineer Janice Plaziak, results of  the initial phase of the plan, involving a vunerability and risk assessment, will be presented on Nov. 18. In addition, residents and business owners who have experienced coastal erosion or flood risks are encouraged to share what they've encountered to help provide input to the risk assessment.

The plan, which is state-funded, is meant to identify areas of "current risk to coastal hazards such as storm surge, wave energy, erosion and flooding," according to the press release; as well as describing areas subject to increasing risk in the future.

Plaziak also noted, "The Coastal Resilience Plan will ultimately build on the initial ideas presented in the town's hazard mitigation plan and develop options for adapting to coastal risks over the long term, with an emphasis on protecting people, buildings, and the town's infrastructure."

For more information, contact Town Engineer Janice Plaziak at jplaziak@branford-ct.gov or (203) 315-0606.