This project is developing analysis, design, and sequencing for a coordinated system of regional coastal flood protection interventions aimed at reducing long-term risks from sea level rise and storm surge to Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Watertown, and Winchester.

The project took stock of ongoing coastal flood protection projects that would form parts of the system and developed schematic designs for identified gaps where projects had not yet been initiated (Groups 2, 3, and 5 in the map to the right).

A regional economic impact analysis was conducted to quantify flood damage and economic losses under a no-action scenario. It found that a single extreme flood (200-year recurrence, or 0.5% annual chance) in 2070 would cause $45 to $67 billion in economic losses and impact 400,000 to 650,000 jobs.

Benefit cost analyses were performed to assess the cost-effectiveness of proposed interventions for identified gaps. Each of these interventions was found to be cost-effective, returning between $8 and $13.5 in benefits for every $1 spent on construction, operations, and maintenance.

In addition, the project is providing governance and funding recommendations to inform implementation. Stakeholder and community engagement are central to the project, with input collected from hundreds of residents about what co-benefits they would like to see integrated into coastal flood protection projects.