Implementation Actions and Progress

Interactive Implementation Actions Table

Implementation Actions are developed by the Long Island Sound Study work groups to carry out the strategies, objectives, and outcomes of the Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). These actions help the Long Island Sound Study decide what projects and investments are needed. The interactive table below shows each Implementation Action under the 2020-2024 CCMP Update by CCMP theme. For more information on the federal funds spent on these actions, please see our annual work plans or visit Partnership Projects. The table reports on the implementation actions’ progress, allocated federal funding, and relationship to the 20 Ecosystem Targets.

How to Use the Table

Click on the “Filter Data Table” search button below to view implementations actions connected to a specific CCMP theme or Ecosystem Target. By having this filtering option, you can better connect actions to environmental outcomes.

Interactive Implementation Actions Table Field Descriptions
  • Implementation Action Number – The associated defining number of each implementation action number. It is the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan theme (WW, HW, SC, SM) followed by the action number.
  • CCMP Theme – The implementation action’s associated theme of the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan.
  • Implementation Action Text – The text of the specific, tactical actions to measurably carry out the strategies over the next five years.
  • Implementation Action Type – The type of implementation action (discrete, ongoing).
  • Implementation Action Status – The status of the implementation action (no progress, partial progress, significant progress).
  • Total Estimated Costs – The estimated cost of each implementation action meet completion/significant progress.
  • Federal Dollars Spent – The current total of federal (EPA) dollars spent on each implementation action.
  • Ecosystem Target – The associated ecosystem target of each implementation action.
  • Implementation Action Output – The outputs of each implementation action. Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan Strategy – The associated Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan Strategy, broad, strategic actions needed to achieve an objective, of each implementation action.
Background on the CCMP Themes

The Long Island Sound Study (LISS), established in 1985 under Section 320 and 119 of the Clean Water Act, is one of the inaugural EPA National Estuary Programs. EPA, joined with Connecticut and New York, established the LISS Management Conference – a partnership of federal and state agencies, user groups, concerned organizations, and individuals dedicated to improving the health of the Sound. First developed in 1994, the LISS issued a revised Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan in 2015. The plan is organized around four major themes: 1) Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds (WW); 2) Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife (HW); 3) Sustainable and Resilient Communities (SC); and 4) Sound Science and Inclusive Management (SM). Under each theme, there are set implementation actions which have been formulated to carry out each themes’ strategies to help meet the CCMP’s objectives and outcomes. Every 5 years, the LISS updates each themes’ implementation actions to successfully progress management targets relative to current successes, challenges, and gaps. In 2020, the LISS updated the CCMP Action Plan listing 136 implementation actions covering the period 2020-2024.

Implementation Action NumberImplementation Action TextImplementation Action StatusFederal Dollars SpentEcosystem TargetDetails
HW-11 In lieu of hard armoring, develop and promote the use of living shoreline habitat protection methods (dunes, shorelines, coastal marshes) and standardized living shoreline monitoring protocols while considering the habitat needs of Species of Greatest Conservation Need, including forage species, and reducing wildlife conflicts. Partial Progress 830,761.54 Coastal Habitat Extent; Eelgrass Extent; Tidal Wetlands Restored; Protected Open Space; Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability
HW-12 Promote the conversion of existing armored shorelines (seawalls, riprap, bulkheads, etc.) to softer, nature-based living shorelines to enhance habitat and habitat connectivity. No Progress 302,230.00 Coastal Habitat Extent; Eelgrass Extent; Tidal Wetlands Restored; Habitat Connectivity; Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability
SC-2 Support efforts and projects that promote environmentally sustainable recreational activities and protection of the Sound’s environmental and wildlife resources. Partial Progress 83,155.00 Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability; Public Access
SC-10 Expand efforts, through the LISS website and social media channels, to educate the public about the impacts of climate change on Long Island Sound and in Long Island Sound Stewardship Areas. Partial Progress 264,030.98 Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability; Public Engagement and Knowledge
SC-20 Provide support to municipalities on low-impact development and green infrastructure. Significant Progress 3,017,494.14 Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability; Impervious Cover; Nitrogen Loading
SC-21 Provide support, including funding and technical assistance, for the development and dissemination of environmental technical manuals and studies to environmental decision makers and resource managers. Partial Progress 1,144,842.74 Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability; Harbor and Bay Navigability; Public Beach Closures; Marine Debris; Public Access
SC-23 Develop tools (e.g., training modules, websites, regulations, best practices, etc.) and conduct region-wide and town-specific workshops to assist municipalities in the development of sustainability and resiliency plans and their integration into comprehensive plans. Partial Progress 1,494,612.48 Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability
SC-24 Support community development, adoption, and implementation of new or updated Municipal Sustainability Plans and Coastal Resiliency Plans. Partial Progress 1,777,235.99 Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability; Public Beach Closures; Public Access
SC-25 Develop guidance for assessing the benefits and costs of sustainability activities and economic development, including protection of ecosystem function versus infrastructure protection, to incorporate into sustainability and resiliency planning efforts. No Progress 0.00 Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability
SC-26 Identify and recommend removal and, or, protection of sensitive infrastructure in the coastal zone (e.g., oil tanks, pump, power stations, etc.) and work to prevent future siting of such infrastructure in vulnerable coastal floodplains. No Progress 24,999.99 Waterfront Community Resiliency and Sustainability; Marine Debris
Ecosystem Target
Showing 1 to 10 of 16 entries (filtered from 136 total entries)

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