mattapoisett

 The Town of Mattapoisett is home to 6,374 people and has 23 miles of shoreline [CIT. 17] that extend along the Nasketucket Bay State Reservation, Mattapoisett Harbor, Aucoot Cove, and the Mattapoisett River.

In the next 30 years, Mattapoisett is projected to experience a variety of climate impacts to both natural and developed areas along its coast (see Coastal Impact Matrix for details).

As soon as 2050:

DEVELOPED AREAS: Daily tidal flooding is projected to impact 111 buildings [CIT. 5]. A 10-year flood may impact 1,142 buildings (24% of town buildings), and a 100-year flood may impact 1,576 buildings (33%) [CIT. 5]. About 36% of the town’s land area is in FEMA flood zones. Areas of concern include the town hall, library, Center School, Ned’s Point Lighthouse, and water supply wells.

ROADS: Daily tidal flooding may impact three miles of roads [CIT. 5]. A 10-year flood is projected to inundate 20 miles (18% of town roads), while a 100-year flood may inundate 26 miles (24%) [CIT. 5]. Areas of concern include Mattapoisett Neck Road, Molly’s Cove Road, Holly Woods Road, Angelica Avenue, Brant Island Road, and Aucoot Road.

SALT MARSHES: Eighty one percent (295 of 366 acres) of critical high marsh habitat may be lost by flooding or conversion to low marsh. Overall, about 17% of total marsh (67 of 385 acres) may be completely lost [CIT. 6]. Preserving salt marsh areas, such as Mattapoisett Land Trust’s Munn Preserve at Brandt Island Cove, will be an important strategy for future resiliency.

BEACHES: Mattapoisett has 10.6 miles of shoreline classified as beach [CIT. 17], and 3.3 miles of the coastline are publicly accessible (14%) [CIT. 16]. The recent beach erosion rates have been as much as 2.8 feet per year [CIT. 15] and erosion is expected to continue.

““I wish there was more money to tackle these projects...We do it in baby steps.” ”
— MICHAEL LORENCO, TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

THE TOWN IDENTIFIED THE FOLLOWING RESILIENCE PRIORITIES [CIT. 36 AND 37]:

  • Resiliency improvements for infrastructure at the Harbor.

  • Adaptation strategies for low-lying roads such as Angelica Point.

  • Preservation of open space to protect the water supply, water quality, and shellfishing resources.

Header photo courtesy: Keith Joseph Piwowarski